Seatec International Maritime Review 1/2023 | Page 33

Helsinki on 21 – 22 January 2023 where the company also announced that as a new feature in this summer also for vessels Finnswan and Europalink the Naantali – Kapellskär route will have 97 roundtrip departures with programme aimed especially at children .
Both new vessels have a passenger capacity of around 1 100 people which is approximately twice the capacity of the current Star class vessels used on the route . Cargo capacity on board the new vessels will also increase from the current circa 4 000 lane metres to 5 200 lane metres . Due to the new vessels , we have initiated several construction and renovation projects for improving the infrastructure and the customer experience in particular in the Port of Naantali . With the introduction of the new vessels , the Port is also implementing new traffic arrangements about which we will provide more information at a later date .

Both new vessels have a passenger capacity of around 1 100 .
An automooring system for automated mooring and unmooring of vessels is being completed for Superstar class vessels in the Port in spring , and it will also be introduced for Star class vessels later in the spring . The new system will speed up mooring and unmooring , improve the cost-efficiency of port operations , and increase safety .
The new vessels will also start using the shore-side electricity supply currently under construction . While berthed in Naantali , ships can use direct shore-side electricity which will decrease emissions and reduce noise in the port area , as the vessels need not keep auxiliary engines running while at quay . photo : FINNLINES
The first Superstar class vessel , Finnsirius , was launched already in August last year . seatec 1 / 2023 33