Aker Finnyards to Build Another 2500 Pax Cruise Ferry

Aker Finnyards and the Estonian Tallink Group have signed a contract worth $147 million for the building of a new cruise ferry for delivery in spring of 2004. The vessel is a repeat of Estonia’s biggest cruise ferry Romantika, which was delivered from Aker Finnyards in May 2002 and is cruising on the route between Helsinki and Tallinn. The new vessel is intended for the trade between Stockholm and Tallinn. Compared to the sister ship the now ordered vessel will be even more environmentally friendly, equipped with catalysers. Also the new vessel will have capacity for 2,500 passengers, and special attention will be paid to their comfort and luxury already when designing the vessel. The interiors will be of cruise liner standard, as in the Romantika, only the number of cabins has been further increased. There will also be a larger conference area. Besides passengers, the vessel is designed to carry private cars, trucks and semi-trailers. The vessel now ordered will have a length of 636 ft. and a beam of 95 ft. Propulsion by four diesel engines totalling 26,240 kW will provide a service speed of 22 knots