111 expedite its fleet replacement schedule and offer a more standardised vessel type that can be used on various routes, providing potential economies of scale and enhanced public value. “It allows us to increase the pace of vessel replacement plans in line with our ambitions,” says Hobbs. “This additional investment will bring two new vessels to the fleet, meaning a total of six major vessels will be replaced by 2026. Communities in Harris and North Uist will also benefit from a two-vessel service, which will strengthen overall resilience.” Finnish operator Finnlines’ ro-pax newbuilding programme is also proceeding well. China Merchants Jinling Shipyard launched the first Superstar vessel, Finnsirius, at its Wehai yard in August 2022 and did the same with the second, Finncanopus, on 30 December 2022. The sister vessels will operate on Naantali–Långnäs– Kapellskär route between Finland, Åland Islands and Sweden. The 235-metrelong vessels will accommodate 1,100 passengers, double the capacity of the current vessels on the route. Freight capacity will also increase from around 4,000 lane metres to 5,200. The new ro-pax vessels are part of Finnlines’ €500 million investment programme. December 2022 also saw the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s new Manxman complete initial sea trials to test propulsion equipment, controls, mooring, navigation, radio and anchor equipment. South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard will carry out further trials to test speed, stabilisers and sound and vibration levels closer to the vessel’s completion. The ship is expected in service in June 2023. China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) floated out the second of two new large ro-pax ferries for Italian operator Moby Lines at its yard on 1 December 2022. Moby Legacy is a sister to Moby Fantasy, which was floated out in November 2021 and due to debut on the Livorno-Olbia-Livorno route to Sardinia from the end of March 2023. GSI has also started construction on the first of two 218-metre ro-pax ferries for MSC Group, which will be operated by Italian line GNV and delivered in late 2024 and early 2025. MSC Group’s contract with the Chinese yard also includes an option for a further two ferries. Deliveries have been coming thick and fast too. RMC delivered MyStar to Tallink Superfast, a subsidiary of Tallink Grupp, in December. The most technologically advanced and energyefficient vessel in Tallink’s fleet, MyStar is 212.4 metres long and can carry 2,800 passengers. The ship is using dieselelectric propulsion combined with fixed pitch propellers for efficiency. The vessel has a design speed of up to 27 knots and joins Megastar and Star on the shuttle service route between Tallinn, Estonia, and Helsinki, Finland. “MyStar’s much-awaited arrival marks the beginning of yet another new era for the Tallinn-Helsinki route, with customer service standards now even higher, passenger comfort even greater and sustainability even more at the heart of our operations,” says Paavo Nõgene, Tallink Grupp CEO. “The world has “ The vessels will be a major contributor for the economy of Tasmania for 30 years to come” Bernard Dwyer TT-Line Company Operator Vessel Yard Pax Del. estimate Daezer 76m high-speed ferry Incat Tasmania 970 April 2023 Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Manxman Hyundai Mipo Dockyard - Spring 2023 Molslinjen Express 5 Austal 1610 Spring 2023 Baleària 1 ro-pax Astilleros Armón 350 May 2023 Onorato Armatori Group Moby Legacy Guangzhou Shipyard International 2,500 2023 P&O P&O Liberte Guangzhou Shipyard International 1,500 2023 Finnlines Finnsirius CMI Jinling Weihai 1,100 Q2 2023 Finnlines Finncanopus CMI Jinling Weihai 1,100 Q4 2023 TT-Line Company 1 ro-pax Rauma Marine Constructions 1,200 Q1 2024 TT-Line Company 1 ro-pax Rauma Marine Constructions 1,200 Q4 2024 Polferries 1 ro-pax Cantiere Navale Visentini 1,000 Q4 2024 Marine Atlantic E-Flexer 10 CMI Jinling Weihai 1,100 Q2 2023 GNV 4 x 218m ro-pax Guangzhou Shipyard International 1,500 each 2024/25/26 Brittany Ferries Saint-Malo CMI Jinling Weihai 1,300 Spring 2025 Brittany Ferries E-Flexer 12 CMI Jinling Weihai 1,300 2025 CMAL 4 x 95m ro-pax Cemre Shipyard, Yalova 450 each 2024/25/26 Buquebús 130m fast ferry Incat Tasmania 1,200 2025 Torghatten Nord 2 x ro-pax Cemre Shipyard, Yalova 3,260 2025 KiwiRail Train/ro-pax Hyundai Mipo Dockyard 1,900 2025 KiwiRail Train/ro-pax Hyundai Mipo Dockyard 1,900 2026 Notable ferry orders up to 2026
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