Star class ferries

The Star Class is a class of five ro-pax ferries built by Fincantieri, Italy at their Castellammare di Stabia and Ancona shipyards for Finnlines. They are used on Finnlines' routes connecting Finland to Germany and Sweden to Germany. Most ships of this class were delivered behind original planned schedule.

M/S "Finnstar"

M/S "Finnstar" was the first Star-class ship to be completed. The ship was built at Fincantieri's Castellammare di Stabia yard. She was delivered to Finnlines in July 2006 (original planned delivery date was in late 2005) [ [http://www.fcbsweb.com/forum/index.php?topic=8824.69 Fincantieri press release reprinted at FCBS forum] , retireved 12. 4. 2007] and the class takes its name from this ship. She is used on the Helsinki — Travemünde route. During construction a small fire broke out onboard the ship in November 2005, but it was quickly extinguished. [ [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/finnstar_2006.htm Fakta om Fartyg - M/S Finnstar] sv icon, retrieved 12. 4. 2007] The Finnstar is registered in Helsinki, Finland.

M/S "Finnmaid"

M/S "Finnmaid" was built at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard, and is used on the Helsinki — Travemünde route. She was delivered in August 2006. Immediately after the first Travemünde — Helsinki trip the ship was forced to drydock in Bremerhaven due to problems with her bow thrusters. [ [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/finnmaid_2006.htm Fakta om Fartyg - M/S Finnmaid] sv icon, retrieved 12. 4. 2006] On January 4, 2007, a small fire broke out on board while the ship was docked in Helsinki, that seems to have originated, and been contained to one of the bilge pumps on board. [Helsingin Sanomat, January 4, 2007] The Finnmaid is registered in Helsinki, Finland.

M/S "Finnlady"

The ship currently sailing under the name M/S "Finnlady" was originally laid down as M/S "Europalink", but due to delays in construction of the original Finnlady finnlines decided to swap the names of the ships. [ [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/europalink_2007.htm Fakta om Fartyg - M/S Europalink] sv icon, retrieved 12. 4. 2006] She was built at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard and delivered in February 2007 (original planned delivery date was in October 2006) [ [http://www.fcbsweb.com/forum/index.php?topic=8824.92 Finnlines press release reprinted at FCBS forum] , retireved 12. 4. 2007] . She is used on the Helsinki — Travemünde route. The Finnlady is registered in Helsinki, Finland.

M/S "Europalink"

M/S "Europalink" was originally planned to be called M/S "Finnlady", but delays in construction made Finnlines swap the names of the two ships. She was built at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard, and her original delivery date was planned to be in mid-2006, [ [http://www.fcbsweb.com/forum/index.php?topic=8824.69 Fincantieri press release reprinted at FCBS forum] , retireved 12. 4. 2007] but eventually she was delivered in March 2007 and used on Finnlines Nordö-Link service between Malmö and Travemünde. The Europalink is registered in Malmö, Sweden.

M/S "Nordlink"

The construction of M/S "Nordlink" was begun at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard, but she was moved to the Ancona shipyard after launching. The ship's original planned delivery date was in March 2007 [ [http://www.fcbsweb.com/forum/index.php?topic=8824.69 Fincantieri press release reprinted at FCBS forum] , retireved 12. 4. 2007] but after numerous delays she was finally delivered in July 2007. [ [http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/nordlink_2007.htm Fakta om Fartyg - M/S Nordlink] sv icon, retrieved 12. 4. 2006] Following delivery the ship was placed on Malmö—Travemünde -traffic, replacing the old M/S "Malmö Link". The Nordlink is registered in Malmö, Sweden.

References

External links

* [http://www.finnlines.fi/ Finnlines company website]
* [http://www.ferrycenter.fi/ Nordic Ferry Center] , main agent for Finnlines passenger services

fi:M/S Finnmaid