Tallink Grupp has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Irish company Irish Continental Group plc regarding the sale of the passenger ship Star I. The ship has previously operated the Paldiski-Kapellskär route, but will now be replaced by Superfast IX.

Superfast IX will be deployed on the Paldiski-Kapellskär route on April 12. Neither the timetable, service level nor prices on the route will change as a result of the ship change. 

– When we presented our financial results last year, we promised our investors and customers to continue to act flexibly and responsively to the needs of the market. Star I is an excellent vessel that has served us well, and there has been a recurring interest in acquiring it. A series of favourable circumstances created a good opportunity to complete a sale, while at the same time ensuring continued traffic with a comparable vessel – Superfast IX, which returned from a long-term charter in Canada last year. Leaving vessels idle is not a long-term sustainable solution for the company, says Paavo Nõgene, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Tallink Grupp.

The transfer of Star I to Irish Continental Group plc will take place in the coming weeks. The transaction is not expected to have a material impact on Tallink Grupp's financial results, but will contribute to optimizing operations.

“We will now take all necessary measures to ensure a smooth transition and we can assure our passengers that the quality of service will be maintained on the route. Superfast IX is a modern, comfortable ship with larger passenger cabins and more space for cargo transport. In addition, the range of shops and catering on board will correspond to what was offered on Star I,” continues Nõgene.

Superfast IX was built in 2002 in Kiel, Germany. It was purchased by Tallink in 2006 and has previously operated the Rostock-Paldiski-Hangö and Helsinki-Rostock routes under the Estonian flag. In recent years, the ship has been chartered and operating in Canada.

According to the press release