Finnsirius tests the water
It is a first-timer for the first Superstar ro-pax vessel, “Finnsirius”, from Finnlines. After the launch on its Chinese wharf, construction on water will now continue.
The building of the second Superstar ro-pax vessel is also proceeding and a keel laying ceremony took place at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) to officially mark the start of the construction of the hull.
“Finnsirius” and its sister vessel “Finncanopus” will operate on the Finland–Sweden route where Finnlines has sailed since 1997. The ports of call are Naantali in mainland Finland, Långnäs on the Åland Islands and Kapellskär in Sweden.
The combined freight-passenger vessel will have capacity for about 300 trucks. The vessels are 235 m long and they utilise the latest innovative technologies. Compared to the Star class vessels, the cargo carrying capacity of the Superstar ro-paxes will increase by 20%.
Finnlines has redesigned cargo handling procedures to gain more efficiency on this field on the Finland-Sweden route. The next milestone for the Finnlines EUR 500-million newbuilding programme will be launching of the “Finncanopus” in January 2023. (sh)