AS Tallink Grupp and Meyer Turku Oy contract for LNG powered fast ferry

AS Tallink Grupp announced today the company has signed a contract with Meyer Turku Oy for the construction of a LNG powered fast ferry for Tallinn-Helsinki route shuttle operations. The dual fuel ship will be about 212 meters in length with a passenger capacity of 2800.

The fast ferry will cost around 230 million euros and will be built at Meyer Turku shipyard for delivery in the beginning of 2017. The project will provide approximately 2000 man-years employment for the shipyard according to a AS Tallink Grupp statement.

The ship will use LNG as fuel and will comply with the new and stricter emission regulations for the ECA areas including the Baltic Sea. The ship, with a gross tonnage of 49 000 and service speed of 27 knots, will bring significant improvement in energy efficiency according to AS Tallink Grupp. AS Tallink Grupp noted the highly innovative hull form minimizes the flow resistance and ensures that the ship operates well in ice conditions. Efficient and fast cargo turnaround in ports has been taken into account in the design of the new generation fast ferry.

"Meyer Turku is very happy to continue the long and good tradition to build ferries for Tallink and with our new and advanced LNG propulsion plant we are lifting this partnership to the next technological level. With this contract we increase our output by 30% in 2016, which is good news for the shipyard and its suppliers and the entire region. It furthermore allows us to implement our strategy to further strengthen our capabilities by making the necessary recruits and by improving design and building methods", says Jan Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku Oy.

AS Tallink Grupp is a passenger and cargo transportation service provider in the Northern region of the Baltic Sea. The company owns altogether 18 vessels and operates under the brands of Tallink and SIlja Line on 6 different routes.

Meyer Turku Oy is a European shipbuilding company owned by Meyer Werft (70 %) and Finnish State through Teollisuussijoitus (30%). The company's shipyard in Turku employs 1,350 people and specializes in building cruise ships, car-passenger ferries and special vessels.

Source: LNG Global