The catamaran is a clear departure from the operator's current fleet. She is smaller and lighter than the 200-metre RoPax ferries VISBY and GOTLAND that serve Gotland today. However, she is considerably larger than the catamarans previously used on the island services and will be one of the largest vessels of her type.

"This is a ship that is well suited to the kind of traffic Destination Gotland operates, and she will complement our existing fleet well. Her size alone means she is less affected by the sea state than the earlier catamarans. She is also equipped with an active motion control system that counteracts and dampens the vessel's movements," says Mattias Frösing, naval architect at Gotland Tech Development, who is working on the Gotland Horizon X project.

The interior has been designed by Vertti & Co, the Finnish studio previously recognised for its work on Finnlines' latest newbuilds, FINNSIRIUS and FINNCANOPUS.

"We want passengers to feel straight away that this is a new and modern ship, while still recognising the character and atmosphere associated with the Gotland services. We have placed great emphasis on colours and materials to create a distinct Gotland identity," says interior architect Noora Rimmi.

Colourful details are combined with warm, natural tones to create a modern and welcoming interior. Lighting is also a key part of the design and adds variety and detail across the different spaces on board.

Passenger flow in focus

Much of the planning has centred on how passengers move around the ship, both during embarkation and disembarkation and when moving between lounges during the crossing.

"We have focused heavily on creating a good flow for passengers. From the car deck, for example, you can go straight up to the pet lounge without any detours. In the lounges, we have made sure you never have to squeeze past more than one person to reach your seat," says Frösing.

The vessel will offer several types of numbered seats and seating groups. These include table seats where passengers sit two by two facing each other, as on a train, and conventional reclining seats in pairs.

"We have also invested in new seats that we believe passengers will appreciate. They have been chosen with a strong focus on comfort, quality and durability, and every seat has its own power socket plus USB-A and USB-C charging," Frösing adds.

Hydrogen-ready design

The catamaran was ordered from Austal Philippines in a contract worth around AUD 270 million. She will carry 1,500 passengers and 400 cars at a service speed of 29 knots. Four Kamewa waterjets will be driven by a combined-cycle plant of gas and steam turbines. The vessel will be multi-fuel capable and hydrogen-ready, and will also have an Echandia battery installation. She is intended for the Visby–Nynäshamn route.

Destination Gotland is inviting the public to suggest a name for the new vessel via gotland2029.se.

© Shippax