MS Baltic Princess

MS Baltic Princess is a cruiseliner owned by the Estonia-based ferry operator Tallink and operated under their Silja Line brand. She was built by Aker Finnyards Helsinki New Shipyard in Helsinki, Finland in 2008. The ship began service on the cruise route between Helsinki, Finland to Tallinn, Estonia on 17 August 2008.[3] From 1 February 2013 the ship began service on the Turku–Mariehamn–Stockholm route.

Baltic Princess arriving in Helsinki West Harbour, July 2010.
History
Name: Baltic Princess
Owner: Tallink[1]
Operator: Silja Line
Port of registry:

2013– Mariehamn,  Finland[1]

2008–13 Tallinn,  Estonia
Route:

2013– Turku–Mariehamn–Stockholm [2] 2008–13 Helsinki–Tallinn

2013-Åbo - Långnäs/ Mariehamn - Stockholm
Ordered: 19 December 2005[1]
Builder: Aker Finnyards Helsinki New Shipyard, Finland (section of the hull built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique, France)[1]
Cost: €165 million[2]
Yard number: 1361[1]
Laid down: 14 November 2006 (at Chantiers de l'Atlantique)[1]
Launched: 9 March 2008 (from Helsinki New Shipyard)[1]
Christened: 6 March 2008 by Eva Hanschmidt[1][2]
Acquired: 10 July 2008[3]
Maiden voyage: 5 July 2008
In service: 15 July 2008[3]
Identification:
Status: In service
General characteristics [4]
Class and type: Galaxy class cruiseferry
Tonnage: GT/ NT/ DWT. 48915/ 30860/ 6287
Length: 212.10 m (695 ft 10 in)[1]
Beam: 29.00 m (95 ft)
Decks: 12
Ice class: 1 A Super
Installed power:
  • 4 × Wärtsilä 16V32 diesels[1]
  • combined 32,000 kilowatts (43,000 hp)
Speed: 24.5 kn (45.4 km/h; 28.2 mph)
Capacity:
  • 2,800 passengers
  • 2,500 berths
  • 420 cars
  • 1,130 lanemeters

Concept and construction
The forward section of Baltic Princess at Helsinki New Shipyard, March 2007.

The Baltic Princess was ordered as Tallink's fourth new cruiseliner in December 2005.[2] The purpose of the vessel was at the time undisclosed, but after Tallink's purchase of Silja Line in 2006 it was revealed that the ship would replace MS Galaxy on the Tallinn–Helsinki cruise route. The ship was christened on March 6, 2008.[2]

The forward sections of the ship was constructed at Aker Yards' Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in France and was towed to Helsinki in April 2007. In September the section was towed into the drydock where the hull was completed. The ship was floated out of drydock in Helsinki on 9 March 2008 after being officially christened.[1]

Service history

Baltic Princess was delivered to Tallink on 10 July 2008 and she entered the Tallinn–Helsinki route on 15 July 2008.[3]

On 2 February 2013, MS Baltic Princess entered the Turku–Åland–Stockholm service and was re-flagged from Estonia to Finland. She was replaced on the Tallinn–Helsinki service by Silja Europa.[5]

References
  1. Asklander, Micke. "M/S Baltic Princess (2008)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 2008-04-12.
  2. "Tallink's New Cruise Ferry "Baltic Princess" is Launched and Named on the 6th of March 2008". Tallink press release. Tallink. 11 March 2008. Archived from the original on 23 June 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2008.
  3. "Delivery of M/S Baltic Princess". Tallink press release. Tallink. 10 July 2008. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
  4. "Cruise Ferry for Tallink" (PDF). Aker Yards. Retrieved 12 April 2008.
  5. "Silja Europa flyttar till Tallinntrafiken". Svenska YLE (in Swedish). 7 November 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2012.

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