Production of AS Tallink Grupp’s new generation LNG powered fast ferry for the Tallinn-Helsinki route was started on 4th of August 2015 with the steel cutting ceremony in Meyer Turku shipyard. The new environmentally friendly ship will be propelled using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as fuel and she will comply with the new and stricter emission regulations for the ECA areas including the Baltic Sea.
Mr. Janek Stalmeister, CEO of AS Tallink Grupp said that the new shuttle vessel will pave the way for the next era in fast ferry service on Tallinn-Helsinki route. “The environmental performance and many innovative solutions in technical as well as service area will be a benchmark for the market and also our Shuttle service in general”, added Stalmeister.
Meyer Turku Shipyard
The new ferry will be about 212 metres in length with a gross tonnage of 49 000. The ship will operate on the route between Helsinki and Tallinn and she is planned to carry 2800 passengers. The fast ferry will cost around 230 million euros and will be built at Meyer Turku shipyard for delivery in the beginning of 2017. Around 300 people will be employed on board of the new ship. The ship, with a gross tonnage of 49 000 and service speed of 27 knots, will bring significant improvement in energy efficiency compared to Tallink’s current Shuttle service. The innovative hull form minimizes the flow resistance and ensures that the ship operates well in ice conditions. Efficient and fast cargo turnaround in ports has been taken into account in the design of the new generation fast ferry.
Tallink will finance the construction of new ferry with EUR 184 million (USD 201m) long term loan from Nordea Bank guaranteed by Finnish Export Credit Agency “Finnvera”.
Keel laying is planned for the end of 2015 and delivery for the beginning of 2017. The vessel is planned to serve the Tallinn-Helsinki route under the Tallink`s brand for fast ferry service, Tallink Shuttle.
(Source: Meyer Turku Oy)
