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Back to SSG 08
The launching of “Finnstar”.
Ultra large ro-pax-vessels
for Finnlines’ German traffic
In early summer 2006 two of Finnlines’ large and fast ro-pax-vessels from Italy will enter service between Helsinki and Travemünde. At least three vessels of this type will be employed on this trade, replacing four older and slower vessels.
Finnlines announced their order of three large ro-pax-vessels from the Fincantieri Shipyard in Italy in February 2004. According to the original schedule, the first vessel should be handed over in November 2005. The option for an additional two vessels was declared in October the same year, increasing the order to a total of five vessels at a contract price of some EUR 500 million.
There are two qualities in particular that cause Finnlines’ newbuildings to stand out from ro-pax-vessels built so far – their speed in combination with their size. They are not the fastest ro-pax-ferries in the world, but they are certainly the largest ones in the 25 knots service speed range.
Finnlines is building the most efficient concept so far in their combined freight and passenger traffic between Finland and Germany. Of the five vessels of the Finnstar-type, at least three will be employed on the Helsinki–Travemünde route. Finnlines has also announced that, depending on the market situation, it is possible that all five newbuildings will be put into service between Finland and Germany.
Two of the new vessels, Finnstar and Finnmaid, will enter service in early summer 2006, two in autumn 2006 and the last one in early 2007.
When the option for the two last vessels was declared in October 2004, Finnlines announced that two of the vessels would enter the Finnlink service between Finland and Sweden. In a later stage it was only confirmed that the vessels would be introduced in “Sweden-related traffic”. No matter where the rest of the vessels will be employed, it is obvious that they are well suited for several routes in Finnlines’ liner network.
“Finnstar” after launching on July 30, 2005.
Large capacity
In the design stage much effort has been put on the efficiency of the cargo handling. Finnlines’ newbuildings have a cargo capacity of 4,200 lane metres, distributed throughout four cargo decks. In the lower hold (deck 2) there are 322 lane metres, on the main deck (deck 3) 1,436 lane metres, on the upper deck (deck 5) 1,547 lane metres, and on the weather deck (deck 7) 951 lane metres for cargo vehicles. This is equivalent to a total of 276 trailer slots. In addition, there is a separate garage for private cars on two levels in the aft part of the superstructure with a total lane length of 300 metres.
There is a drive-through possibility on both decks 3 and 5 similar to that available on the Finnclipper-type vessels operated by the Finnlink service. Also the Hansa-class vessels are loaded and discharged on two levels, but only through the stern.
From the main deck to the lower hold there is a hoistable ramp in the fore part of the hold and from the upper deck to the weather deck there is a tiltable ramp between the funnels.
In all cargo holds there are 5 metres free height.
Powerful machinery
The machinery arrangement consists of four main engines, coupled in pairs to two shafts. The Wärtsilä 9L46D engines have an output of 10,395 kW each. There are three Wärtsilä 6L20 auxiliary engines and two shaft generators.
The propellers are from RR-Kamewa and the two rudders are of Becker high lift type. The vessels have two bow thrusters of 2,000 kW each and fin stabilizers.
The service speed will be about 25 knots, which means that the duration of the sea voyage between Helsinki and Travemünde will be 27 hours.
This shortens the trip by 9 hours compared with the same trip made by the Hansa-class vessels. It also means that Finnlines can maintain frequent service every night with three new vessels instead of the four Hansa-type vessels currently in service.
Strengthened to meet the rules of Finnish/Swedish ice class IA Super, these vessels should not encounter any problems with ice on their route during normal winter conditions.
Carrying passengers is an important feature on the route between Helsinki and Travemünde. In addition to truck drivers, regular passengers frequently use the service. The passenger capacity of the Hansa-class vessels was 119, which has been insufficient on that route for the last several years.
The new vessels have a total of 567 berths in 201 cabins, and the maximum number of passengers is set at 500. Passenger accommodation is located in the forward part of the three lowest decks (7, 8 and 9) in the superstructure. Crew accommodation for 40 persons in single cabins is located on deck 10 and the public spaces on deck 11. They include a large restaurant, two bars, conference facilities, a shop and a children’s playroom.
Depending on the season, the crew will consist of about 30 persons.
//Pär-Henrik Sjöström
Latest update 18-10-2006 8:49
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