Estonian Tallink Group News

The Kongsberg Maritime DataChief C20 Integrated Automation System (IAS) has been selected for the Tallink III cruise ferry newbuild at Aker Finnyards, Rauma. This is the third vessel from Aker Finnyards for owner Estonian Tallink Group, that utilizes DataChief C20. At a length of 696 ft. (212 m) and a beam of 95 ft. (29 m) the 48,300 gt Tallink III will be one of the largest Cruise Ferries in the Baltic Sea, with capacity for 2,800 passengers and 1,130 lanemetres. The ship is powered by four diesel engines with a total power output of 26,240 kW and a service speed of 22 knots. The DataChief C20 is Kongsberg Maritime's most successful automation system to date, according to the company.

Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) and Norcontrol IT entered into a three-year maintenance contract that covers the offshore VTMIS system at the Bay of Campeche oilfield located in the Gulf of Mexico off the Yucatan Peninsula. The Bay of Campeche is the largest oilfield in Mexico and the world's largest offshore oil development project. The VTMIS system installed by Norcontrol IT consists of two control centers and seven radar sites, all of which are covered by the maintenance contract. A large capacity, flexible and reliable VTMIS system is required at the Bay of Campeche for several reasons. The coverage area contains between 200-300 vessels per day, all of which have to be monitored to protect the pipelines: Especially important as the bay is only 40-50 m deep in most areas.

Aker Yards and the Estonian Tallink Group have signed a contract for the building of a fast passenger ferry for delivery in spring 2007, worth around 110 million euro. The contract includes an option for another similar vessel. The new ferry to be delivered from the yard in Helsinki is of a new and innovative design. She will start regular traffic between Helsinki and Tallinn and will be capable to cross the sea between the two cities in 1 hour and 50 minutes. The ice class of the ferry will allow year-around operation. Besides 1,900 passengers, the 185 m long and 27.7 m wide vessel is designed to carry private cars and freight units by having more than two kilometres of vehicle deck space. Aker Yards is the leading ferry builder in the world.

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.