Cruise News - Maritime News

Finnlines took delivery of Finncanopus, which is the second of two Superstar-series  freight-passenger (ro-pax) vessels, at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, China, on 12 December 2023.

The vessel will enter Finnlines’ line between Finland and Sweden (Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär). Finncanopus is scheduled to start in traffic in February 2024.

The combined freight and passenger vessel Finncanopus was delivered to Finnlines today. To commemorate the delivery, a ceremony with representatives from Finnlines and the shipyard was held on site. The homeward voyage is expected to take 6–7 weeks as Finncanopus will be nearly fully loaded with freight and will call several ports before entering the Baltic Sea. Finncanopus is scheduled to begin service in February 2024.

The new ro-pax vessels are part of Finnlines EUR 500-million Green Newbuilding Programme, which has now been completed. The programme comprised two hybrid ro-pax and three hybrid ro-ro vessels, all equipped with state-of-the-art eco-friendly technology. The first Superstar ro-pax vessel, Finnsirius, was delivered to Finnlines in July and she entered the Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär route in September 2023. Finncanopus will join Finnsirius on the route, departing from Naantali in the evening and from Kapellskär in the morning. The three hybrid ro-ro vessels started operating in summer 2022.

Finnlines core business is carriage of freight to serve Finnish and European exports and imports, but passenger traffic is also integral in its operational concept. The Åland Islands, like mainland Finland, are fully dependent on maritime bridges. In particular, for residents commuting between Åland and Sweden or Finland, a scheduled liner services is crucial. Moreover, Finnlines’ ships have always space to accommodate passenger vehicles.

“Finnlines is the market leader on this route and our new Superstar vessels represent a completely new standard for ro-pax transport in the Baltic Sea, both for freight and passenger traffic. Finnsirius has been warmly welcomed by private passengers and professional drivers also appreciate upgraded services. When Finncanopus enters traffic, the current smaller ro-pax vessel will be transferred to our route between Sweden and Germany. This way we can improve our services on another important maritime connection,” said Antonio Raimo, Line Manager at Finnlines.

Ship particulars, Finncanopus

Type of vessel: freight-passenger / Ro-pax
Ice class: 1 A Super
Length, overall: 235.0 m
Breadth, moulded: 33.3 m
Gross tonnage: 65,692
Lane metres: 5,200
Design speed: 16 / 20.5 knots
Engine output: 4 x 7,200 kW
Flag: Finland
Passengers: 1,100
Passenger cabins: 323
Route: Finland–Sweden (Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär)

Emission reduction technology

Air lubrication
Battery pack
Exhaust gas abatement
Onshore power
Auto-mooring
Waste heat recovery
Ballast water treatment