Viking River Cruises announced on Thursday that it is increasing its ship order for next year. The Woodland Hills company added two more ships to its previously announced order of 12. By the end of 2014, Viking will have added 30 new ships since 2011. It currently has a fleet of 35 ships. “We are working hard to match supply with demand, and with these new builds, we have the best designed, newest and most extensive offer of ships on the rivers – more than double all our competitors combined,” said Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen in a statement. Viking’s river ships typically carry about 170 passengers, weigh up to 3,500 tons and cost around $30 million. The company also is expanding into the ocean cruise business. It has ordered two 47,000-ton ocean vessels, the first of which is scheduled for delivery in spring 2015. The ship has an estimated price tag of more than $350 million. Founded in 1997, Viking is the largest river-cruise line. Destinations include the Danube River in Central Europe and the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia.
