Finnlines’ 2nd Superstar ferry Finncanopus was launched at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai on December 30th, the company announced.
The first vessel, Finnsirius, was launched in August and the keel laying of the 2nd one was celebrated on September 1st, 2022. The company ordered the ferries in 2020 from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, previously popular as AVIC Weihai.
The brand-new Superstar class cargo-passenger ships are scheduled to enter the market in 2023. Once delivered, they'll serve the Naantali–Langnas–Kapellskar route between Finland, Aland Islands, and Sweden.
The Superstar ships are equipped with an air lubrication system creating air bubbles, which reduce friction/hydrodynamic resistance.
They are fitted with onshore power supply systems providing an alternative energy source to auxiliary engines, thus reducing noise and emissions. A high-powered battery bank is charged in port and generates power at sea. They also have 2-speed reduction gears which improve propulsion efficiency and save fuel.
Environmentally friendly oils are to be used in bow thrusters, fin stabilizers, and in cargo access equipment.
Both ferries have a capacity for 1100 passengers, which is double compared with the current ships on the route.
Freight capacity was also increased from ~4000 lanemetres to ~5200.
The new ro-pax vessels are part of Finnlines’ EUR 500M investment program, which also includes 3 hybrid roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferries.