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Finnish firm Gasum Oy plans to build an LNG distribution terminal in Naantali, Finland.

Gasum intends to use the facility to supply LNG fuel to Viking Line's new generation cruise ferry, which will be built at Turku shipyard, Finland, and is expected to be delivered in 2013.

Both parties are said to be in the process of negotiating the terms of delivery. Gasum is aiming to complete the LNG terminal by the summer of 2013 when the Viking Line newbuild is due to be put into service on a route between Turku and Stockholm.

The new cruise ferry will be approximately 210 metres in length with a gross tonnage of 57,000. It will have a top speed of close to 23 knots and be designed to hold 2800 passengers and be operated by a 200-member crew.

The vessel, which is said to be 'full of innovative and new solutions', will include 870 passenger cabins, almost 1300 lane-metres for trucks and a separate car deck with approximately 500 lane-metres for passenger cars. Additional room for passenger cars will be found on the hoistable car decks.

The actual construction of the new ship is due to begin in the autumn of 2011.

According to shipbuilding company STX Finland, the new cruise ferry will be the most environmentally friendly large passenger vessel to date and it will also be able to use LNG as fuel.

Viking Line and Gasum said the timetable was tight and that 'many pieces will need to fall into place' before the terminal can be built.