Grimaldi Group, which includes Finnlines, has placed an order for a total of nine new ro-pax vessels. Six of these will be operated in the Mediterranean under Grimaldi Lines and Minoan Lines, while three will be operated by Finnlines in the Baltic Sea. Key features of the vessels include reduced environmental impact and improved comfort on board.
As part of the Grimaldi Group’s programme to modernise and expand its fleet, the shipping group has ordered nine new ro-pax vessels from the Chinese shipyard China Merchants Jinling in Weihai, a company within the China Merchants Group. The contract for these state-of-the-art vessels, worth a total of 1.3 billion USD, was signed this morning in Hong Kong.
The new vessels have been designed to improve the quality of sea transport of both rolling stock and passengers in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas. All will be equipped with engines that can run on methanol, making them ready to achieve the goal of net zero emissions. Together, the new vessels contribute to increased transport capacity, while offering innovative design and improved comfort on board – all with a focus on environmental sustainability.
Four of the ships will sail under the Italian flag and be operated by Grimaldi Lines, while two will sail under the Greek flag by the Greek subsidiary Minoan Lines. These six sister ships belong to the “Next Generation Med” class of ships and will operate routes in the Mediterranean. The three remaining ships will be delivered to Finnlines, sail under the Finnish flag and introduce a new ship class – “Hansa Superstar” – a further development of the already advanced “Superstar” series operating in the Baltic Sea.
All nine vessels will be delivered between 2028 and 2030 and will be equipped with cutting-edge green technology. Optimized hull and propeller solutions, energy-efficient electrical systems (both at sea and in port), shore power connection and silicone-based hull coatings will reduce carbon dioxide emissions per transported unit of cargo by over 50 percent compared to today's vessels on similar routes.
The new ropax ships, intended for traffic in the Mediterranean, will be 229 meters long, with 3,300 load meters for rolling stock and space for over 300 cars. On board, there will be space for up to 2,500 passengers, with more than 300 cabins (for over 1,200 guests) and around 700 loungers.
Passengers will have access to a range of onboard amenities, including three bars, a shopping area, a conference space, two self-service restaurants, a panoramic à la carte restaurant, an indoor/outdoor lounge with an impressive sun deck with two swimming pools, and a rooftop bar with a dance floor. The interiors will be carefully designed with bespoke furnishings for Grimaldi Lines and Minoan Lines respectively, to meet the tastes and needs of their respective target groups.
This new generation of ships also marks a breakthrough in energy efficiency: the six ships in the “Next Generation Med” class will be the first in the Mediterranean designed to be fueled by methanol.
As for the three ships for the Baltic Sea, they will be 240 meters long with a cargo capacity of 5,100 cargo meters for rolling stock and 90 cars, and 320 cabins for up to 1,100 passengers. The new design is based on Finnlines' Superstar class, Finnsirius and Finncanopus, but is adapted for the route between Finland and Germany. The ships are better suited for longer crossings, with new cabin categories and restaurant options tailored to different passenger preferences – with a strong focus on comfort and the onboard experience.
Onboard facilities include five bars and restaurants, a spa with a wide range of treatments, as well as a classic Finnish sauna, shops and two play areas for children of different ages. A highlight is the main bar in the bow on deck 12, which will offer unparalleled views of the Baltic Sea during the crossing.
”China Merchants Industry Group and Grimaldi Group have always adhered to the principle of ’innovation-driven – quality first’, which has led to breakthroughs in green ship technology and intelligent shipping, and together we are setting a new standard for ro-pax ships. As a leading player in the manufacturing of advanced equipment in China, China Merchants Industry Group and CMI Weihai Shipyard will bring together a first-class R&D team, an efficient manufacturing system and a full-scale life-cycle service system to ensure high-quality delivery and help Grimaldi further strengthen its leading position in the European and global ro-ro market. We are ready to deepen cooperation with Grimaldi Group in future areas such as zero-emission fuels and smart ships, and together provide more efficient and sustainable maritime transport solutions for global customers,” said Wu Sichuan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of China Merchant Industry.
“With the order of these nine exceptional RoPax vessels, we continue and strengthen our long-standing, successful cooperation with China Merchants Group – an outstanding partner for the construction of advanced ships. The new ship classes ”Next Generation Med” and ”Hansa Superstar” are the result of a careful analysis of our customers” needs – and in a broader sense, of shipping. Today, more than ever, the latter requires quality, efficiency and environmental sustainability to remain a key means of transport for both freight and passengers, nationally and internationally. In particular, the exceptional performance in terms of reduced CO2 emissions and the use of methanol as an alternative fuel brings us even closer to the global goal of net zero emissions – and further strengthens our position as a leading player in short sea shipping in the Mediterranean and the Baltic,” says Emanuele Grimaldi, CEO of Grimaldi Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Finnlines.
According to the press release.
