The Estonia-flagged shuttle vessel STAR, launched on the Tallinn-Helsinki route in 2007 and operating on the route ever since. For more than a decade she has been operating on the Tallinn-Helsinki route in tandem with the company’s next shuttle vessels SUPERSTAR, MEGASTAR and MYSTAR. Ever since the arrival of the company’s newest shuttle, MYSTAR, last December, she has been providing a shuttle light concept service between the Nordic capitals of Tallinn and Helsinki, with reduced daily departures and slightly reduced services on board.  

STAR is chartered to Irish Continental Group plc from 5 May 2023 and will initially enter service as OSCAR WILDE for Irish Ferries on the Rosslare / Pembroke route in early June, replacing the chartered BLUE STAR 1 for the busy summer period. BLUE STAR 1 has been chartered from Blue Star Ferries for the last two years.

Commenting on the charter agreement, Tallink Grupp’s CEO Paavo Nõgene said:

“We have been looking for alternative work for our vessel STAR for some time now, and the search became more focused as the arrival of our new shuttle MYSTAR drew closer last year. There has been great interest in chartering her over the years and I am pleased we have secured a good agreement for her now with Irish Continental Group plc. This type of alternative work for our vessels has been and continues to be a good solution, strengthening our company and bolstering income following a long crisis period.”  

STAR’s last departure this spring will take place from Helsinki to Tallinn on the evening of 1 May 2023. Passengers who have purchased tickets for STAR for departures after 1 May, will be contacted and offered alternative travel options on the company’s other vessels.

© Shippax