Finland Lays Keel for LNG-Fuelled Shuttle Ferry

Finland's Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) shipyard has laid the keel of an LNG-powered shuttle ferry for use by Estonian shipping firm Tallink Grupp, the companies said on September 18.

The MyStar shuttle will be delivered to Tallink by the start of 2022 and will operate between the two countries' capitals. The delivery of the vessel's main equipment is running on schedule and its main engines and generators were tested over the summer.

The project is valued at €250mn ($296mn). MyStar will carry up to 2,800 passengers and up to 750 vehicles. It is 212 m in length, 30.6 m in width and has a gross tonnage of 50,000, with a maximum speed of 27 knots.

"We are pleased to say that despite the global economic situation and the global coronavirus pandemic, production has continued at the Rauma shipyard," RMC CEO Jyrki Heinimaa said. He said he expected operations to continue to run on track.

“It is extremely important to keep our sights both on the near as well as the more distant future right now and continue with key projects that will ensure shipping is greener, more efficient and increasingly sustainable in the future,” added Tallink CEO Paavo Nogene.

(picture courtesy of Rauma Marine Constructions)