The first steel was cut for Finncanopus, the second Superstar roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) ferry being built for Finnish ferry operator Finnlines.
The steel-cutting ceremony for the 68,460 GT newbuild took place at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, China on 8 October 2021.
The construction of the first vessel, Finnsirius, started earlier this year. Its keel-laying ceremony is planned for April 2022, according to Finnlines.
A total of two 235-meter-long Superstars were ordered in January 2020.
Efficient and environmentally friendly operations
Finnlines is in the process of implementing its €500 million eco-efficient newbuilding programme, which consists of three hybrid roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels and two RoPaxes.
The first RoRo unit is scheduled to be delivered this autumn and the following two in early 2022, whereas the deliveries of the RoPax vessels are planned to take place in 2023.
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“We are pleased to note that despite the long-lasting pandemic, our newbuilding programme has proceeded as scheduled,” Emanuele Grimaldi , CEO of Finnlines, commented.
“We will be proud to introduce the next-generation RoPax vessels, which have capacity for around 5,200 metres of rolling cargo and can accommodate 1,100 passengers. At the same time, the vessels will offer a comfortable and sustainable way to travel.”
The new RoPaxes will feature a number of emission reduction technologies including shore power connection, exhaust gas abatement, waste heat recovery, battery pack, air lubrication , auto-mooring and ballast water treatment system.