FERRY ORDER BOOK Newbuilds take their bow Justin Merrigan highlights several of the notable newbuilds that are now entering service for ferry operators around the world The first of Finnlines’ two Superstar-class ferries, Finnsirius, is scheduled to commence operations between Finland and Sweden in September 2023. Built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, China, Finnsirius will be the largest ropax vessel in the Finnlines fleet, doubling passenger capacity on the NaantaliLångnäs-Kapellskär route to 1,100. The cargo capacity will increase by nearly 24 per cent to 5,200 lane metres. Sister ship Finncanopus is on track for delivery by the end of the year and together the two ships are part of the company’s €500 million ($547 million) Green Newbuilding Programme. “These hybrid ro-pax vessels are not only the largest in the company fleet so far, but they transport cargo in a more sustainable manner,” says Tom Pippingsköld, president and CEO of Finnlines. “For example, the vessels have been equipped with enormous highpowered battery banks and onshore power supply to have zero emissions while at port.” “In addition, port operations will also be more efficient with auto-mooring. Smooth freight traffic in the Baltic Sea is the backbone of the region’s economies and national security of supply. For example, around 90 per cent of both Finnish and Swedish exports and imports are carried along shipping routes. Finnlines combines cargo with Finnsirius is the first of Finnlines’ two Superstar-class ferries and was built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, China 106
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