Finncanopus, the second of the 68,460gt Finnlines’ ro-pax series built in China at the CMI Jinling Yard, was handed over in early December 2023 and earned her keep during a six-week delivery voyage carrying cargo and making several calls while she was on the long haul to the Baltic.
This marks the completion of Finnlines’ EUR500 million (US$549 million) Green Newbuilding Programme, consisting of two hybrid ro-pax and three hybrid ro-ro vessels, all incorporating advanced eco-friendly technology.
A ceremony was conducted on-site with representatives from Finnlines and the shipyard to celebrate the vessel’s delivery. Finncanopus is set to enter service between Finland and Sweden (Naantali-Langnas-Kapellskar) in February 2024.
The vessel’s homeward voyage is expected to take six to seven weeks, during which it will be laden with freight and make multiple port calls before entering the Baltic Sea.
Joining its sistership, Finnsirius, which entered service on the Naantali-Langnas-Kapellskar route in September 2023, Finncanopus will follow a similar schedule.
Departing from Naantali in the evening and from Kapellskar in the morning, these ro-pax vessels signify a significant step in Finnlines’ commitment to sustainable and technologically advanced maritime transport.
Finncanopus joins sister vessel Finnsirius, which was delivered in July 2023, and both carry up to 1,100 passengers with overnight berths in 323 cabins, and there are 5,255 lane metres of vehicle space, with cars loaded via bow, stern and side doors.
Registered in Finland, the two 235m-long vessels are each powered by four Wärtsilä diesel engines delivering 2,880kW for a top speed of 22 knots, and will normally run in service at 16 knots; they reportedly cost US$135 million each.
