Finncanopus’ naming ceremony completes Finnlines’ EUR 500-million Green Investment Program

Finncanopus, the second of Finnlines’ two hybrid freight-passenger Superstar vessels, was named in Naantali today. Finnlines’ EUR 500-million Green Investment Programme has thus been completed. Katariina Nurmi, representing DB Schenker, acted as the vessel’s godmother, symbolizing Finnlines commitment to upholding a reliable and efficient logistics network which provides a solid basis for growth for its freight customers and allows Finnlines and its partners to grow stronger together.

The last two years have formed a new chapter in Finnlines’ more than 75-year long history. With its EUR 500-million Green Investment Programme, Finnlines has entered the hybrid era. The naming of the ferry operators second hybrid freight and passenger vessel Finncanopus, today on 14 February 2024, marked the completion of the investment programme. As tradition has it, a bottle of champagne was broken against the vessel’s bow by its godmother Katariina Nurmi, the spouse of Petteri Nurmi, CEO of DB Schenker Cluster Nordics.

While the mythical bottle of champagne symbolizes a wish for good fortune and fair winds for the vessel, its crew and passengers, the choice of Katariina Nurmi as Finncanopus’ godmother is also highly symbolic. It showcases Finnlines commitment to being the stable base of an efficient logistics network, supporting Finland’s and Europe’s trade performance and industrial development, as well as the economic growth of Finnlines’ customers, and allowing Finnlines and its network of partners within the logistics sector to grow stronger together.

Within its Green Investment Programme, Finnlines has welcomed five newbuilds, all equipped with state-of-the-art eco-friendly technology. Three hybrid ro-ro vessels started operating during the summer of 2022. The first Superstar hybrid ro-pax vessel, Finnsirius, entered Finnlines’ Finland–Sweden traffic in September 2023. Its sister vessel, Finncanopus, is scheduled to enter service on 16 February 2024. Vessels are the largest ro-paxes in Finnlines’ fleet, each having 5,200 lane metres for cargo and certified to carry 1,100 passengers.

“Finnlines has made massive investments in sustainable and eco-friendly technologies, positioning itself competitively. Our investment programmes align with the Grimaldi Group’s strategy aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and at reducing CO2 emissions. The new vessels support customers in their transition towards sustainability and environmental responsibility. I am proud to welcome Finncanopus and Finnlines has great expectations of the summer season as we now operate two identical brand new vessels on the route between mainland Finland, Åland and Sweden,” says Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO of Finnlines.

“Finncanopus and her sister vessel Finnsirius show our commitment to providing top-tier sustainable transport services to our freight customers as well as passengers. Our second hybrid ro-pax vessel will enable Finnlines to grow even stronger together with our network partners. Furthermore, Finnlines’ schedules are tailored to serve freight and passengers in all three destinations,” says Antonio Raimo, Line Manager at Finnlines.

Finncanopus will now join Finnsirius on the Finland–Åland­–Sweden route (Naantali–Långnäs–Kapellskär) departing from Naantali in the evenings and from Kapellskär in the mornings. She will set off on her maiden voyage from Kapellskär on 16 February 2024.