Finnlines’ freight-passenger vessel (ro-pax) M/S Finnsirius, which entered services between mainland Finland, Åland and Sweden in mid-September 2023, was awarded at the Shippax Conference on 13 May 2024.
Finnsirius and the sister vessel Finncanopus are the largest ro-pax vessels in the Finnlines fleet. Compared with the previous vessels on the route, the cargo capacity increased by nearly 24 per cent to 5,200 lane metres and passenger capacity doubled from 554 to 1,100. The vessels have been equipped with many technical innovations, which improve energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact. The innovations include high-powered battery banks, air lubrication under the keel and onshore power supply in port. Port operations became more efficient with auto-mooring.
Environmental aspects were also considered in the accommodation where lighting and ventilation can be adjusted automatically. Printed materials, such as menus, travel program and price lists, have been replaced by digital screens and mobile apps.
Passenger services were upgraded with several themed restaurants, a wide range of cabin categories, meeting rooms, lounges, a large duty-free shop, and a spa.
A collaborative project
Numerous equipment and system suppliers were involved in the design and construction of the vessel. M/S Finnsirius and its sister vessel were built at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai, China, but European companies, for instance Wärtsilä, Kongsberg, Delta Marine, Langh Tech, MacGregor and Kone, accounted for 40 per cent of the supplies. The Danish-based ship design consultancy, Knud E. Hansen, drafted the concept design and the interior was designed by the design studio dSign Vertti Kivi.
“First, I want to thank Shippax for this prominent award, which Finnlines is honoured to receive as the decision has been made by professionals who know all ins-and-outs of the shipping industry. Finnsirius and the sister ship Finncanopus have impressed our freight customers, passengers and other stakeholders and we have high hopes for the summer season,” says Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO of Finnlines.
