On May 27th, 2025, Deltamarin has signed a contract with China Merchants Weihai Shipyard for the design and engineering of Finnlines’ new Hansa Superstar class RoPax vessels.
The signed contract includes the complete basic and detail design of three RoPax vessels built for Finnlines and to be operated in the Baltic Sea.
The contract continues the successful collaboration between Deltamarin, Finnlines and Weihai shipyard, following the completion of the concept and contract design for the vessels earlier this year.
The basic design project begins at Deltamarin immediately, with the majority of the work scheduled to be completed by early 2026.
The new design is an evolution of the already state-of-the-art Superstar-class vessels, but with enhanced quality of transport for both rolling cargo and passengers in the Baltic Sea. The new design has been adapted for the Finland-Germany route and will be better suited for longer crossings, feature new cabin categories and provide restaurant options tailored to different passenger preferences, with a strong focus on the overall onboard experience.
These vessels will combine high transport capacity, innovative design, and superior onboard comfort. Key features include multifuel engines, optimized hull and propeller designs, shore power connection, and energy-efficient onboard power management systems for both at sea and in port—all contributing to over a 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions per transported cargo unit compared to vessels currently operating on the same routes.
Each 240-metre vessel will offer 5,100 lane meters of cargo space for rolling freight, capacity for 90 cars, and accommodation for up to 1,100 passengers across 320 cabins. Designed with sustainability in mind, all vessels will be equipped with engines capable of running on methanol, supporting the goal of achieving net zero emissions. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029.
Last month, Grimaldi announced that it had commissioned China Merchants Weihai Shipyard to build nine methanol dual-fuel-powered RoPax vessels for it, with a total order value of up to US$1.3 billion, which are expected to be delivered successively from 2028 to 2030. The shipbuilding contract was signed on the morning of April 8 in Hong Kong.
Four of the new vessels will be Italian-flagged and operated under the Grimaldi Lines brand, while two will be Greek-flagged and operated by Greek subsidiary Minoan Lines. These six sister vessels, all Next Generation Med class, will serve the Mediterranean routes and will be the first methanol-based Ro-Ro vessels in the Mediterranean.
The remaining three RoPax vessels will be Finnish-flagged and operated by Finnlines – the Deltamarin-designed Hansa Superstar class, an upgraded version of the Superstar series of RoPax vessels. The “Hansa Superstar” class, designed by Deltamarin, is an upgraded version of the “Superstar” series.