Tallink launches new ship

Emily Pacey

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Two new super ferries and a shuttle service swell Tallink’s retail-oriented fleet

Finnish ferry operator Tallink has launched its first high-speed shuttle service, on the Tallinn-Helsinki shipping route. The new vessel, which is the fastest ever built for a short distance route, will provide a year-round service. Each journey will take less than two hours.

The MS Star, which can accommodate up to 1,900 passengers and 450 cars, will feature several restaurants, fast food outlets and bars and a business lounge.

Tallink is also awaiting delivery of a second, and has ordered a third, super ferry as sister vessels to MS Galaxy. Both ships will match Galaxy’s 1,000sq m (10,760sq ft) of retail space. The ferries, each worth about €180m ($243m), will be delivered in 2008 and Spring 2009. They will contain over 900 cabins each, plus several restaurants and a conference centre.

Tallink said that the next vessel to be delivered will replace Galaxy on the Tallinn-Helsinki route. Galaxy will be transferred to the Turku-Stockholm route. The third member of the super ferry fleet has not yet been allotted a route.

The operator recorded retail sales of €370m ($500m) in 2005.