Participants in the Finnish security industry have named Viking Line Security Organization of the Year 2024. According to the jury, the company has significantly improved security on its vessels both for passengers and staff and has been a trailblazer in many projects that promote security. For example, Viking Line was the first shipping company in the world to instal an automated radar system to monitor respiration in its vessels’ detention facilities.

Members of the Finnish security industry and the trade publication Turvallisuus & Riskienhallinta (’Safety & Risk Management’) named Viking Line Security Organization of the Year. The Finnish Security Awards were handed out on Thursday for the tenth time.

As the jury noted, Viking Line has significantly improved security on its vessels for both passengers and staff. The company has played a leading role in the project SecurePax, co-funded by the EU, and is also the first shipping company in the world to instal EloTec’s innovative EloCare radar system in its vessels’ detention facilities in order to monitor people’s vital signs to prevent deaths. The facilities also have a one-of-a-kind emergency alarm system.

“For us, developing security means continuously improving our knowledge, methods and technologies, with our skilled staff playing a key role both on the vessels and in the terminals. Improving our employees’ security awareness and preparedness is one of our most important goals – so we regularly train our entire staff in how to handle different emergency situations. We are really proud that our engaged work to improve maritime security has been recognized,” says Viking Line’s CSO, Security Superintendent Marine Operations Christian Hartvik.

For example, in the SecurePax project new technological solutions for x-raying baggage and passengers as well as facial recognition technology have been tested in the passenger terminals.

“We do everything we can so that both passengers and staff feel safe and secure on our vessels. We are happy to answer any questions about passenger safety and security at sea, especially since such questions are discussed more generally in society. Passengers often ask about fire safety and about our different inspection procedures and safety and security routines.”

Viking Line’s key partners in its safety and security work include Feelready, Elotec, Wega Group Oy and the Port of Turku. This work also extends beyond Finland’s borders. The company works in close collaboration with authorities in Finland, Sweden and Estonia and is actively involved in joint maritime safety and security exercises in those countries.