The First Hybrid Superstar Freight-Passenger Vessel Delivered To Finnlines

Freight and passenger shipping company Finnlines will make major investments in its route between Finland, Åland, and Sweden during 2023 by introducing two new Superstar freight-passenger vessels.

The first hybrid ro-pax vessel, whose construction started in June 2021, was delivered to Finnlines on 18 July 2023. Finnsirius will start operating on the Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär route in September 2023. The second vessel, Finncanopus, is expected to be delivered by the end of 2023.

The two ships are the largest ro-pax vessels in the Finnlines fleet. The cargo capacity will increase by nearly 24 percent to 5,200 lane meters, and passenger capacity will double from today’s 554 to 1,100.

The new ro-pax vessels are part of Finnlines EUR 500-million Green Newbuilding Programme, which comprises both ro-pax and ro-ro vessels, all equipped with state-of-the-art sustainable solutions. Three new hybrid ro-ro vessels started operating in the summer of 2022.

“Finnlines’ Green Newbuilding Programme has been a massive investment that will benefit our freight customers and private passengers. 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. For example, the vessels have been equipped with enormous high-powered battery banks and onshore power supply in order 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 percent of both Finnish and Swedish exports and imports are carried along shipping routes. Finnlines combines cargo with passenger traffic in this Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär route, and therefore our investment will strengthen services to our freight customers as well as to our passengers,” says Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO of Finnlines.

“Finnlines is proud to introduce the first Superstar, and Finnsirius will be Finnlines’ flagship in both size and technology. As the Superstar ro-pax vessels enter the traffic, we will further increase economies of scale to support new business development and opportunities for our freight customers. In addition, we will be able to offer upgraded services for passengers, including several themed restaurants, a wide range of cabin categories, meeting rooms, a large shop, and lounges, to name a few,” says Antonio Raimo, Line Manager at Finnlines.

Press Release