Tallink Silja Line sells Star I and brings back Superfast IX
Change on the Paldiski-Kapellskär route
The shipping company Tallink Silja Line has signed a letter of intent to sell the passenger ferry Star I to Irish Continental Group plc. The Star I previously operated on the route between Paldiski in Estonia and Kapellskär in Sweden. After the sale, it will be replaced by the Ferry Superfast IX.
Flexibility as the key to success
Paavo Nõgene, CEO of AS Tallink Grupp, emphasizes the importance of flexibility.
“We have assured our investors and customers that we will remain flexible and respond to market demand. The Star I is an excellent ship that has served us well. There has been repeated interest in a takeover. Favorable circumstances created the right time for the sale and at the same time gave us the opportunity to continue passenger traffic with an equivalent ship – the Superfast IX, which returned last year from a long-term charter contract in Canada.”
Seamless transition for passengers and freight
The Superfast IX will be deployed on the Paldiski-Kapellskär ferry route from April 12, 2025. The timetable, service on board and ticket prices will remain unchanged. Nõgene assures.
“We will do everything necessary in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition to the new ship. Changes have already been made to the ticket sales and booking systems. The Superfast IX is a modern and comfortable ship. The retail and catering services on board the Star I will be transferred to the Superfast IX. The ship also offers more spacious cabins and additional space for cargo transportation.”
Star I becomes the James Joyce on the Dublin-Holyhead route
Following its sale to the Irish Continental Group plc , the Star I is renamed James Joyce and will be used in future for Irish Ferries the ferry service between Dublin and Holyhead. This route connects Ireland with Great Britain and is one of the most important ferry connections in the region. With the new Ferry, Irish Ferries is expanding its capacity and offering passengers even more comfort on this popular route.
Background to the Superfast IX
The Superfast IX was built in 2002 in KielGermany and acquired by Tallink Silja Line in 2006. She was initially deployed on the Rostock-Paldiski-Hanko and later Helsinki-Rostock routes. In recent years, she has been operated in Canada under a charter contract.
With this ship swap, Tallink Silja Line is optimizing its operations and ensuring that passengers and freight customers can continue to enjoy reliable and comfortable ferry services between Estonia and Sweden.
