seatec - Finnish marine technology review 1/2013 | Page 6

Contents 02 Editorial 06 M/S Viking Grace – A luxurious LNG ship Running on liquefied natural gas (LNG), Viking Line’s new cruise ship – M/S ’Viking Grace’ – is considered to be the most environmentally friendly cruise ferry ever built. The hydrodynamic hull decreases fuel consumption and minimises wave formation, thereby protecting the vulnerable archipelago areas of the Baltic Sea. 16 A Ship Divided A story wrought with drama and turmoil unwrapped in recent months as Royal Caribbean International abandoned its traditional ally in the making of the world’s greatest cruise vessels – STX Turku – for STX St. Nazairre. The French beat the Finns, while the Korean owner didn’t seem too interested about which shipyard lands the deal – as long as Oasis III will be STX-made, like the first two. 16 4 seatec 1/2013 06