In a deal worth €1.3 billion, the Grimaldi Group has entrusted China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) with delivering nine brand-new ferries, six of the Next Generation Med and three of the Hansa Superstar class.
All are scheduled for delivery in 2028-30, with four flying the Italian flag and plying for Grimaldi Lines, two under the Greek flag and working for Minoan Lines, and the remaining three sailing under the Finnish flag for Finnlines between Helsinki and Travemünde.
Equipped with engines capable of running on methanol, as well as with a suite of eco-solutions (among others, optimised hull & propeller designs, onboard power management systems, cold ironing connectors, silicon-based hull coatings), the carbon footprint of the new ro-paxes per transported cargo unit will be axed by at least half vs the vessels currently operating on the same routes, says the Grimaldi Group.
The Hansa Superstars will be 240-metre-long and offer 5,100 lane metres for cargo and room for 1,100 passengers. "Facilities include five bars and restaurants, a spa with a wide range of services and treatments, including the iconic Finnish sauna, shops, and two children's play areas designed for different age groups. One of the standout features is the main bar at the bow of deck 12, which will offer breathtaking views of the Baltic Sea during the crossing," Finnlines highlighted in a press brief.
The Next Generation Meds will be 229-m-long, offering 3,300 lm and accommodation for up to 2,500 travellers (in cabins and on reclining seats).
"China Merchants Industry Group and the Grimaldi Group have always been adhering to the concept of 'innovation-driven, quality first,' making breakthroughs in green ship technology and intelligent shipping, and jointly defining a new benchmark in ro-pax vessels. As a leader in high-end equipment manufacturing in China, China Merchants Industry Group and CMI Weihai Shipyard will bring together a top R&D team, lean manufacturing system and full life cycle service system to ensure high-quality project delivery and help Grimaldi further consolidate its leading position in the European and global ro-ro shipping market," declared Wu Sichuan, Chairman of China Merchant Industry.
He furthered, "China Merchants Industry is willing to continue to work with the Grimaldi Group to deepen cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as zero-carbon fuel and smart ships and jointly provide more efficient and sustainable shipping solutions for global customers."
Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group and Chairman of Finnlines' Board of Directors, also commented, "With the order of these nine extraordinary ro-pax vessels, we continue and strengthen our long, successful alliance with China Merchants Group, an outstanding partner for the building of cutting-edge ships. The new Next Generation Med and Hansa Superstar classes are the result of a thorough study of our customers' needs and, more broadly, those of shipping. Today, more than ever, the latter requires quality, efficiency and environmental sustainability to remain a key mode of national and international freight and passenger transport. In particular, the exceptional performance in CO2 emission reduction and the use of methanol as an alternative fuel bring our Group even closer to the global goal of net-zero emissions, further solidifying our position as a leading player in short-sea transport in the Mediterranean and Baltic regions."
Photo: Finnlines