Tallink sells Ro-Pax ferry Star I to Irish Continental Group

The Tallink Grupp has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Irish company Irish Continental Group to sell the passenger ferry Star I. The vessel, which has been operating on the Paldiski-Kapellskär route, will be replaced by Superfast IX.

“When presenting last year’s financial results, we assured our investors and customers of our commitment to maintaining flexibility and responding to market demand," said Paavo Nõgene, Chairman of the Management Board of the Tallink Grupp.

"Star I is an excellent vessel that has served us well, and there has been repeated interest in acquiring it. A favorable set of circumstances created the right moment for the sale while allowing us to continue passenger services with an equivalent vessel – Superfast IX, which returned last year from a long-term charter in Canada.

"Keeping a vessel idle is not a sustainable option for the company in the long run."

With the arrival of Superfast IX on the Paldiski-Kapellskär route on April 12, the route schedule and onboard services will remain unchanged. Ticket prices will also not be affected by the vessel replacement.

The sale transaction will not have a significant impact on Tallink’s financial results but will help optimise the company’s operations, the group said. Tallink will transfer Star I to Irish Continental Group in the coming weeks.

Superfast IX was built in 2002 in Kiel, Germany. Tallink purchased the vessel in 2006, and it initially operated under the Estonian flag on the Rostock-Paldiski-Hanko-route, later serving the Helsinki-Rostock-route. In recent years, the vessel has been operating in Canadian waters under a charter agreement.