Finnlines takes delivery of hybrid RoPax
The first of two new RoPax ferries, Finnsirius, has been delivered (Source: Finnlines Plc)
China Merchants Jinling Shipyard has handed over the first of two ice-class RoPax ferries, Finnsirius, to Helsinki-based Finnlines. Together with its sister ship, Finncanopus, due for delivery by the end of this year, the vessel will operate on the route between Nantaali in Finland, Långnäs in the Åland Islands, and Sweden’s Kapellskär.
The new ships are part of Finnlines’ EUR 500 million Green Newbuilding Programme for both RoRo and RoPax ships. The air-lubricated vessels will have battery packs, exhaust gas abatement, waste heat recovery, ballast water treatment, and auto-mooring systems.
Finnlines’ president and CEO, Tom Pippingsköld, said: "Finnlines’ Green Newbuilding Programme has been a massive investment which will benefit our freight customers and private passengers. These hybrid RoPax vessels are not only the largest in the company fleet so far, but they also transport cargo in a more sustainable manner. For example, the vessels have been equipped with enormous, high-powered battery banks and an 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," he continued. "For example, around 90% of both Finnish and Swedish exports and imports are carried along shipping routes. Finnlines combines cargo with passenger traffic on this Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär route, and therefore our investment will strengthen services to our freight customers as well as to our passengers."
