The contract continues the 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 existing 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 multi fuel 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.

“Together with Deltamarin, we have developed Superstar-class vessels, setting a completely new standard for freight and passenger traffic in the Baltic Sea. With our new investment programme, we are proud to continue this shared journey. Our longstanding and successful partnership with Deltamarin and China Merchants Weihai Shipyard have been instrumental in driving innovation and strengthening efficient maritime transport,” said Juha Ahia, Manager of Newbuilding & Projects at Finnlines.

“The signed contract marks the continuation of a longstanding partnership between Deltamarin and Weihai Shipyard. Our partnership has continually delivered reliable, efficient and environmentally conscious vessels that meet the expectations of both the vessel owner and regulators. This order demonstrates the trust our clients place in our ability to design and deliver state-of-the-art ro-pax vessels. With this latest order, the total number of ro-paxes designed by Deltamarin and built by Weihai Shipyard reaches an impressive 22 ships during the last 10 years,” said Janne Uotila, Managing Director of Deltamarin.

Ou Shubo, Deputy General Manager at Weihai Shipyard, continues: “The expertise and support Deltamarin provides have always been invaluable, and we look forward to delivering these next-generation vessels to Finnlines, which will play a key role in their sustainable fleet expansion.”

The new contract reinforces the track record of delivering efficient, innovative ro-pax vessels in the market and highlights the proven performance of the Superstar-class design—serving as both the inspiration and foundation for the new Hansa Superstar class.