Finnlines has launched its new hybrid ro-ro vessel, the Finneco I, at the Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing, China. A further two ro-ro vessels – the Finneco II and Finneco III – are set to be delivered in 2022.
The launch comes as an important milestone for Finnlines’ €500m (US$605m) green Newbuilding Program, and upon completion of Finneco II and Finneco III, a total of 20 Finnlines vessels will sail under the Finnish flag.
The Finneco I will begin to cover Finnlines’ Biscay-North Sea-Baltic Sea route at the end of 2021, playing a vital role in the smooth supply of goods to Finland, while also providing regular sea connections from Finland to Sweden and from Finland to continental Europe and Great Britain.
Designed and built as an ultra-green vessel, the Finneco series will provide several energy-saving solutions for a greener maritime future. Zero-emission port visits will be made possible thanks to lithium-ion battery systems. In addition, the ship design features modern two-stroke engines, emission-abatement systems, solar panels and an air lubrication system to further reduce emissions.
Measuring 238m, the vessels will have a cargo capacity of 5,800 lane meters. They will also include car decks with a capacity of 5,800m2 and about 520 TEU on the weather deck. This will enable each of the vessels to carry an estimated 300 trailers, 150 cars and 500 sea containers each way, equating to a 38% increase in capacity over the company’s Breeze series vessel.
As part of the Newbuilding Program, two efficient ro-pax vessels will also be built. The collaborative program will engage several suppliers from Finland and the Nordics.
“The significant investment program is in line with our strategy,” commented Emanuele Grimaldi, CEO of Finnlines. “We are constantly renewing and developing our fleet, and the upcoming hybrid ro-ros as well as eco-efficient Superstar ro-paxes are a next step in the evolution of Finnlines’ fleet.
“These new vessels will increase our cargo and passenger capacity significantly,” he continued. “Together with our connections we can meet the needs of our customers better. Our eco-sustainable new vessels will serve our customers, and communities where we operate, long into the future. More than ever, our economies rely on dependable transport links and we are committed to ensuring vital sea freight operations in a sustainable way.”