PRINTFINCANTIERI TO BUILD THREE FERRIES FOR FINNLINES
19 February 2004
Today, in Helsinki, Fincantieri and Finnlines, the Finnish shipping company, signed a contract to build three “ro-pax” ferries (cargo/passenger). The total value of the contract is 300 million Euro. Furthermore the companies have agreed an option for two more sister ships (value of each vessel: 100 million Euro).
The three ships will be employed by Finnlines to connect Helsinki and Travemunde (Germany).
A leading European shipping company, Finnlines works mainly in North Europe and the Baltic Sea; as well as its traditional shipping activities (carried out by its fleet of 70 ships), the company also works in the field of port services (management of terminals, moving goods in ports etc.).
The first vessel will be delivered at the end of 2005, the second and the third in mid 2006.
The innovative design project, which was created in Fincantieri’s Merchant Ship Business Unit, will afford operational flexibility and high technical reliability, thus making it possible to fully exploit the loading volume of these ferries which can carry up to 500 passengers and 300 trucks in 4,200 linear metres: record figures for this type of ship, which will be the biggest ro-pax vessels ever built in the world and the fastest in their size-class.
The main features of the ship are: 42,000 gross tonnes, a loading capacity of 9,300 tonnes, maximum length 216 metres, breadth 30.5 metres, height to the upper deck 16 metres and a draught approximately of 7 metres, with 225 deluxe cabins. The ships will be equipped with four Wartsila 9L46D engines, capable of providing a total power of 48,000 kW and a service speed of 25 knots.
“We are most pleased – said Giuseppe Bono, Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri – because this order from Finnlines confirms our presence in the Scandinavian market and, more importantly, we can now add another highly prestigious brand name to our customer portfolio. The order is further proof that the Italian shipbuilding industry is competitive also in the difficult sector of merchant vessels, where competition is especially tough. Furthermore, this order consolidates our position as world leader in the ferry sector, alongside our well-established leadership in the cruise ship sector and our important construction activities in the naval field”. “Once again – Bono went on - the quality of our ships, our guarantee that delivery schedules will be respected and our sound financial status have been key factors when the ship owner came to make his choice ".
The three ships will be employed by Finnlines to connect Helsinki and Travemunde (Germany).
A leading European shipping company, Finnlines works mainly in North Europe and the Baltic Sea; as well as its traditional shipping activities (carried out by its fleet of 70 ships), the company also works in the field of port services (management of terminals, moving goods in ports etc.).
The first vessel will be delivered at the end of 2005, the second and the third in mid 2006.
The innovative design project, which was created in Fincantieri’s Merchant Ship Business Unit, will afford operational flexibility and high technical reliability, thus making it possible to fully exploit the loading volume of these ferries which can carry up to 500 passengers and 300 trucks in 4,200 linear metres: record figures for this type of ship, which will be the biggest ro-pax vessels ever built in the world and the fastest in their size-class.
The main features of the ship are: 42,000 gross tonnes, a loading capacity of 9,300 tonnes, maximum length 216 metres, breadth 30.5 metres, height to the upper deck 16 metres and a draught approximately of 7 metres, with 225 deluxe cabins. The ships will be equipped with four Wartsila 9L46D engines, capable of providing a total power of 48,000 kW and a service speed of 25 knots.
“We are most pleased – said Giuseppe Bono, Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri – because this order from Finnlines confirms our presence in the Scandinavian market and, more importantly, we can now add another highly prestigious brand name to our customer portfolio. The order is further proof that the Italian shipbuilding industry is competitive also in the difficult sector of merchant vessels, where competition is especially tough. Furthermore, this order consolidates our position as world leader in the ferry sector, alongside our well-established leadership in the cruise ship sector and our important construction activities in the naval field”. “Once again – Bono went on - the quality of our ships, our guarantee that delivery schedules will be respected and our sound financial status have been key factors when the ship owner came to make his choice ".