For the first time in its history, the Grimaldi Group will build ropax ferries in Asia. The order for the new ‘Super Star’ class for Finnlines seems to be very close, according to what Emanuele Grimaldi stated at the EuroMed Convention. “We are now discussing with only three shipyards. The deal can be done in one month.”
The new ice-class vessels are an evolution of the Fincantieri-built Star-Class vessels. They will have a capacity of some 5,000 lanemetres and 350 cabins. They will also have the biggest battery pack ever mounted on a ship.
Some sources revealed to Ferry Shipping News that the builders shortlisted are Hyundai Mipo in South-Korea, Avic, Jinling (both part of the China Merchants group) and Guangzhou Shipyard International in China. All the European shipyards has been left out since the price were in some cases twice as high. Chinese yards seem to have an advantage over the South Korean competitor.
In the near future Grimaldi Group will also order a new series of ‘Supercruise vessels’ for the Mediterranean network, designed “to halve consumption while doubling capacity”.
