Finnlines celebrated its 75th anniversary
Finnlines celebrated its 75th anniversary on Finneco II, the second of three cargo vessels in the shipping company’s new series.
Finnlines’ 75th anniversary celebrations took place in Helsinki’s South Harbour on 20 September 2022. Finneco II aroused locals’ interest, as cargo ships are rarely seen at Helsinki’s city-centre harbours. 1,300 invited guests attended the event.
The evening party, which was held on the ship’s main deck, was attended by many of the company’s long-standing employees, customers and partners. The atmosphere was warm in spite of the coolness of the evening.
Many party guests were surprised by the size of the cargo ship: it is 30 metres longer than Silja Serenade, which usually moors at that berth. Finneco is also two metres wider than the Silja ship.
Finnlines first started operating in 1947 with six old steamers, in order to strengthen the Finnish merchant navy fleet. Today, the company has a fleet of 23 ships, of which as many as 20 sail under the Finnish flag.
Finnlines first started operating in 1947 with six old steamers, in order to strengthen the Finnish merchant navy fleet.
Finnlines is wholly owned by the Grimaldi Group, which is one of the world’s biggest ro-ro shipping companies and the largest “Motorways of the Sea” operator in Europe that transports both passengers and cargo. The Grimaldi Group invests in innovative solutions, sustainable technology and its fleet, and also participates in marine research and development.
In summer 2022, Finnlines added to its fleet and increased its sea connections with the introduction of three new Eco-class hybrid ro-ro vessels. The Finneco ships operate on the route Bilbao–Zeebrugge/Antwerp–Travemünde–Helsinki/Kotka–Paldiski.
In July 2022, Finnlines expanded its network by opening a route between Rosslare in Ireland and Zeebrugge in Belgium. The new route will provide an important connection for Irish industry. Reloading in Zeebrugge will open up a sea link for Irish imports and exports to Finland, Estonia, Germany and Spain.
Finneco II named
Finnlines’ FINNECO II was christened at a naming ceremony held at Vuosaari Harbour on 20 September 2022. The ship was christened by her godmother, Mrs Elina Haapasaari.
Finneco II sails under the Finnish flag in the Baltic Sea, North Sea and Bay of Biscay.
The ship is 238 metres long, has 5,800 lane metres, and can carry about 400 trailers per voyage. The capacity of Finnlines’ new hybrids is about 40 per cent more than the largest ships in the company’s current fleet.
In the foreground is Elina Haapasaari, Staffan Herlin of Finnlines and CEO of the Port of Helsinki, Ville Haapasaari.
