Tallink and Meyer Turku ink LNG fuelled ferry contract

AS Tallink Grupp and Meyer Turku Oy have signed a contract for the construction of an LNG powered fast ferry for Tallinn - Helsinki route shuttle operations.

The dual-fuel ship will be approximately 212 m in length with a capacity to carry 2800 passengers.

The ferry, which will cost around €230 million, will be built at Meyer Turku shipyard for delivery in the beginning of 2017.

The ship uses LNG as fuel and complies with the new and stricter emission regulations for the emission control areas (ECAs), 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 the contract, 20% of the total cost will be paid during the construction period and the rest after the delivery of the vessel. AS Tallink Grupp plans to finance 80% of the new ship cost in 2017 by long-term loan.

Janek Stalmeister Stalmeister, CEO of AS Tallink Grupp, said: “We have brought a new understanding to the fast ferry services with the Shuttle concept and now the time is right to take the next step. We have learned from our own experience, listened to our customers and experts and we are now very excited about the end result.”

Jan Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku Oy, said: “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 method.”

Adapted from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/27022015/tallink-and-meyer-turku-ink-lng-fuelled-ferry-contract-333/