Bolidt sustainable decking used for Viking Neptune

Bolideck Select offers flexibility while Bolideck Future Teak – a lightweight and sustainable alternative to genuine teak – is hardwearing and has non-slip properties. The decking covers all outdoor areas including the Sports Deck and Aquavit Terrace plus balconies, pool areas and crew deck and can endure long exposure to direct sunlight, heat and humidity. 

Viking Cruises has a 25-year relationship with the resin applications specialist, ‘We have worked with Viking since its foundation in 1997, so we know exactly what is expected of us when supplying decking for one of its vessels – whether it be a river ship, an exploration vessel or an oceangoing cruise ship,’ said Jacco van Overbeek, director of maritime, Bolidt. ‘Viking places great emphasis on sustainable operations and favours simple, elegant design. Bolideck Future Teak has the look and feel of real teak but is more resilient and far less harmful to the environment, making it the ideal solution for the passenger ship sector.’ 

Bolidt’s work for Viking spans newbuilds and retrofits, with the companies collaborating at shipyards in Italy, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Egypt and the US. 

With additional projects scheduled in China, Bolidt is set to finalise a further five Viking newbuild projects by the end of the year, including for Neptune’s sister ship, Viking Mars.

Environmental considerations

Hardwearing and UV-resistant decking was key, as the all-veranda small-sized Viking Neptune’s itineraries could include subarctic Scandinavia as well as tropical Southeast Asia and Latin America. Bolidt’s scope of supply for Viking Neptune therefore also included a built-in deck heating system to prevent ice formation and withstand near-freezing conditions and additional sound insulation on certain areas of the vessel. 

Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard floated out Viking Neptune back in January. It launches in November.