Meet Finnlines’ energy-efficient freight vessels

New ultra-green vessels bring many benefits to our customers, including fast and efficient loading and unloading, and in addition, provide more flexible cargo space to our customers.

Introducing Finnlines’ hybrid ro-ros

Finneco trio

We are proud to introduce Finneco I, II and III, the largest and most energy-efficient freight vessels in the Finnlines fleet.


Ship design

The ship is 238 metres long with a cargo capacity of 5,800 lane metres. Consequently, the vessel can carry 400 trailers per voyage. Compared with the Company’s second largest vessels, the cargo carrying capacity of the hybrid newbuilds increases by nearly 40%.

Nevertheless, efficient cargo operations are ensured by arrangement of stern ramps, internal ramps, and hoistable car decks. At the same the vessels are extremely flexible – a hoistable deck makes it possible to load any type of rolling freight up to 7 metres. Certain areas on cargo decks have been dedicated for loading of paper reels.

Operational aspects

  • Hull lines designed to optimise energy efficiency
  • Rudder bulb to increase energy efficiency
  • The vessel comply with Ice Class 1A Super

More efficient cargo loading

  • Flexible for all type of ro-ro cargo whilst tank top and main deck are designed free of pillar areas to accommodate paper and sto-ro concept
  • Fast loading and unloading with a tripple stern ramp arrangement

Environmental aspects

  • Lithium-ion battery systems to enable zero-emission operations and to reduce noise in port
  • An innovative air lubrication system to create bubble layers which will reduce hull resistance
  • Clean and renewable energy source: 600m2 of solar panels to produce electricity to users on board


Giant leap in hybrid technology

Environmental aspects and sustainability are given high priority. The vessels are designed to be partially operated on battery power. The hybrid solution reduces fuel consumption and allows zero emissions at berth. The noise during the stay in port also decreases. The battery banks of 5 MWh allow the use of stored electricity while in port. In addition, the ro-ro vessels have solar panels.

Furthermore, the vessels are equipped with air lubrication systems, and exhaust gas cleaning equipment to cut emissions further.

The new vessels help Finnlines to strengthen its market-leading position in its core business. In addition, the environmental footprint of each carried truck and trailer reduces significantly from the current level. The new ships meet higher environmental standards and with the extra capacity, Finnlines supports the sustainable growth of its customers.

Clean technology used in hybrid ro-ro vessels

Finnlines’ new hybrid ro-ro vessels use the latest technologies and innovations.

Battery banks

Lithium-ion battery systems to enable zero-emission operations and to reduce noise in port

Solar panels

600m2 of solar panels to produce clean electricity for users on board

Promas Lite

Promas Lite systems to increase energy efficiency

Air lubrication

An innovative air lubrication system to create bubble layers which reduces friction and hydrodynamic resistance

Optimised hull

Optimised hull lines to optimise efficiency

Main engines

Main engines type and size carefully selected to achieve the lowest possible fuel oil consumption

Collaborators

The newbuilding programme is a collaborative project and in addition to the shipyard it has engaged several suppliers and contractors.

Best technical expertise for newbuildings

The concept planning of the Eco series started in 2018 and the target was to create the most environmentally friendly vessels which had ever operated in the Baltic Sea. The order for three hybrid ro-ro vessels was signed in May 2018 and construction of the first vessel began in June 2020.

The world’s greenest ro-ro vessels have been designed in cooperation with the Nordic marine designer Knud E. Hansen and the Chinese shipyard China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu).

The shipyard is one of the world’s most prolific builders of short-sea ro-ro vessels and has delivered hundreds of large vessels to more than 20 countries and regions worldwide with high reputation. Finnlines has had a good cooperation with the Jinling Shipyard in the past, as its six ro-ro vessels, delivered in 2011–2012, were ordered from the same shipyard.

The hybrid ro-ro’s have been fitted with Wärtsilä’s Hybrid Power Conversion system and together with Corvus Energy’s ESS the approach enables zero-emission operations in port. The vessels have been equipped with MAN Energy Solutions’ two-stroke propulsion package and energy-efficient engines to increase the efficiency.