Viking Line Celebrates Baltic Sea Day and Continues its Support for the John Nurminen Foundation
Viking Line is once again supporting the work of the John Nurminen Foundation this year. Cooperation with organizations that protect the fragile marine environment of the Baltic Sea is an important part of the shipping company’s extensive environmental efforts.
Baltic Sea Day is celebrated on 27 August. Viking Line has participated in celebrating its unique home sea since 2020 and annually supports organizations working to protect the fragile marine environment of the Baltic Sea.
“It is wonderful that we have a day that brings people together to celebrate our magnificent marine environment and the work being done to protect it. We ourselves have been systematically reducing our environmental impact since the 1980s. However, we want to make as broad an impact as possible, which is why cooperation with organizations dedicated to protecting the Baltic Sea is an important part of our sustainability efforts. We support organizations whose work complements our own,” says Dani Lindberg, Sustainability Manager at Viking Line.
This year, Viking Line is making a donation to, among others, its long-standing partner, the John Nurminen Foundation. The foundation’s projects reduce pollution and environmental risks in the sea and help ensure that the Baltic Sea remains vibrant and healthy for future generations.
“The Baltic Sea needs all of us, which is why Viking Line’s support means a great deal to us. Climate change is weakening the state of the sea, so large-scale and effective work to save the Baltic Sea is needed more than ever. It is still not too late,” says Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt, CEO of the John Nurminen Foundation.
Viking Line has raised the donation funds through the sale of plastic bags on board its vessels, meaning passengers are also contributing to efforts that benefit the Baltic Sea. The amount has also been increased by the company’s employees, who took part in a challenge in which they pedalled exercise bikes continuously for ten days aboard Viking Glory and Viking Grace, enjoying the sea views while doing so.
Viking Line’s financial support is not limited to environmental work. In Sweden, the company has been working since 2024 with Maskrosbarn, an organization that supports children and young people aged 13–19 whose parents struggle with, for example, substance abuse, mental health problems, or domestic violence.
Environmental Impact Reduced Through Determined Action
Viking Line continuously develops new ways to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. The work includes improving vessel energy efficiency and reducing emissions, energy consumption, waste, and food waste. The company has, among other measures, rapidly increased its use of renewable biogas, which helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its vessels by almost 50,000 tonnes last year.
Efforts to reduce food waste are also progressing in the ships’ restaurants.
“We have succeeded in nearly halving food waste on our Turku vessels, and the project has now started on Viking XPRS. Next year, Gabriella and Cinderella will also join the initiative,” says Dani Lindberg.
Viking Line’s financial support is not limited to environmental work. In addition to supporting the John Nurminen Foundation, Viking Line supports several organizations in both Finland and Sweden. In Sweden, the company has cooperated with Maskrosbarn since 2024. Viking Line is also supporting the Swedish organization Maskrosbarn this year. The organization focuses on helping children and young people aged 13–19 whose parents face challenges such as substance abuse or mental health issues. Cooperation between Viking Line and Maskrosbarn began in 2024.
John Nurminen Foundation
Founded in 1992, the John Nurminen Foundation aims to save the Baltic Sea and preserve its cultural heritage for future generations. The foundation’s projects improve the condition of the Baltic Sea through concrete measures that reduce pollution and environmental risks.
Maskrosbarn
Maskrosbarn is a Swedish children’s rights organization founded in 2005. Maskrosbarn supports children whose parents have an addiction, mental health problems, or subject them to violence. Viking Line has been collaborating with the organization since 2024.
Viking Line will participate in Baltic Sea Day events in Helsinki and Turku on 27 August and will take part in the programme by highlighting the importance of protecting the Baltic Sea and showcasing its own long-term environmental work. The day brings together organizations and individuals interested in the state and future of the Baltic Sea, and through its participation Viking Line hopes to encourage even more people to contribute to protecting our shared home sea.
Further Information
Dani Lindberg, Sustainability Manager
dani.lindberg@vikingline.com
Tel. +358 18 27 000
Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Communications Director
johanna.boijer@vikingline.com
Tel. +358 18 270 00
Christa Grönlund, Communications Manager
christa.gronlund@vikingline.com
Tel. +358 9 123 51
Tags: