There is a Star, a Superstar and now a Megastar, serving the popular Helsinki-Tallinn service across the Gulf of Finland.
Fresh from the Meyer Turku yard (formerly STX Finland) in Turku, the 2,900-lane-metre eco-ropax newbuilding Megastar was set for its first “Tallink Shuttle” sailing this weekend from Helsinki for Estonian operator Tallink.
The 49,000-gt fast ferry, captained by Vahur Sostra, can carry up to 2,800 passengers at a service speed of 27 knots. Sailing time is two hours.
The propulsion system features five Wartsila 50DF dual-fuel engines comprising three V12 and two six-cylinder units. In LNG mode, carbon-dioxide emissions are slashed by up to 30%. Nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide emissions will be reduced by 85% and almost 100%, respectively.
Twin stainless-steel LNG tanks, supplied by Sweden’s Linde Group, are located under the main deck with total capacity of 600 cubic metres. The vessel will be bunkered by truck with LNG from the Skangas terminal in Pori on the Finnish side and by Eesti Gaas on the Estonian side. Fuelling can take place with passengers onboard.
The Megastar was ordered at the end of 2014 at a cost of EUR 230m (then $286m). An option for an additional ship was not exercised by the February 2015 deadline.
Close to completion at the port of Helsinki is a new, 10,000-square-metre terminal, purpose-built for shuttle services to Tallinn. It accounts for EUR 45m of a EUR 100m redevelopment of the city’s western harbour.
Last year saw a 4% increase in passengers between Helsinki and Tallinn to 8.74 million, representing 76% of total passenger volumes passing through Helsinki.
Finns travel not only for fun and to pick up cheap alcohol in Estonia — where the choice and quality of the beer is said to be much better — but many live there because property is cheaper. Likewise, many Estonians commute weekly in the other direction.
