news a Grimaldi Group company 2/2020 Finnlines is an integral part of Finland’s security of supply Introducing Finnlines Newbuilding team Superstar ro-pax vessels to scale up Finland–Sweden connection Efficient. Reliable. Sustainable. Contents Editorial 2 Bringing up the Next Generation Introducing Finnlines Newbuilding team 5 Building together – the companies behind the vessels 8 Hybrid ro-ro vessels sail into a green future 9 Superstar ro-pax vessels to scale up Finland–Sweden connection 12 Putting the spotlight on the great archipelago 13 Schedules 15–19 Finnlines remains true to the goal of its foundation despite today’s turbulent waters Finnlines was established in 1947 as part of a wider effort to reconnect Finnish society news and industry with neighbouring countries following the devastation of World War II. This Issue 2/2020 seq. no. 29 mission has held true into the 21st century, the Company invested in newer and newer Editor in Chief: Finnlines vessels generations and grew up in its role; Printed by: K-Print Finnlines transports today a third of the 1 million trucks bringing goods from Finland to Published by: Finnlines Plc Europe and back every year. Komentosilta 1 FI 00980 Helsinki www.finnlines.com THE NETWORK HAS EXPANDED – Europe, Russia and the [email protected] rest of the world are today accessible to Finnish export- ers and importers via the larger Grimaldi Group network Address changes: www.finnlines.com/finnlines-news – but Finnlines’ vital, market-leading position still means it is incumbent upon us to act responsibly and to fulfil Printed in August 2020. the role acquired by the Company in Finland and in the Circulation: 12,000 copies Baltic. THE 21 VESSELS WE OPERATE ARE AMONG THE BEST YOU’LL FIND PLYING THE BALTIC SEA in terms of size, efficiency and CO2 footprint. All vessels trading between Finland and the rest of Europe fly the Finnish flag. All vessels trading between Finland and the rest of Europe fly the Finnish flag. Emanuele Grimaldi CEO SEVERE REVENUE LOSSES DURING THE VIRUS LOCKDOWN SPARED NO-ONE and ranged from 20% to 80% on some Finnlines remains true to the goal of its trades. Carriers have had to bear the additional costs of heightened sanitation measures. Finnlines and oth- foundation despite today’s turbulent waters ers have reimbursed passenger tickets and introduced new crew procedures to reduce the risk of exposure. UNLIKE OTHER GROUPS, HOWEVER, WE HAVE NOT LAID OUR ONGOING INVESTMENTS prove we keep on re- UP VESSELS. Despite the losses, services have contin- sponding to the demands of society. A series of three ued unaltered. It is therefore disappointing to witness ro-ro vessels will join the fleet over the next two years, certain authorities, in defiance of EU rules, give our thereby improving our economies of scale and tonne- competitors what amounts to unearned income. If sup- kilometre efficiency. A further two ro-pax vessels capa- port for the marketplace is required, there are ways for ble of carrying 1,100 passengers each are scheduled to these subsidies to be distributed fairly and in proportion arrive in 2023. to services rendered. A reduction in port fees, by way of example, would distort the market less than selec- THESE VESSELS COME WITH THE LATEST IN GREEN tive aid to certain companies. TECHNOLOGY: emissions abatement systems known as scrubbers; battery packs reducing emissions to zero DESPITE OUR DETERMINATION TO KEEP ESSENTIAL SUP- while in port; and hulls made all the more streamlined PLY LINES OPEN, subsidies to our competitors have trig- thanks to a fine coating of bubbles. We are in total gered yet more imbalances because state-supported investing EUR 700 million in equipment, retrofits and services have depressed rates further. We have been newbuildings. penalised with reduced revenues for a second time. WE HAVE BECOME THE MARKET LEADER by relying on our NO MATTER: FINNLINES HAS BROAD SHOULDERS. We will own efforts and entrepreneurship. We ask for nothing navigate these turbulent waters with the same honesty from public authorities other than the chance to com- and self-sufficiency that has served us so well until pete on an even playing field without distortion. now. We will keep serving our markets with the same energy and commitment as before, true to the goal laid IT IS THEREFORE WITH A CERTAIN REGRET THAT WE FEEL down more than 70 years ago. OBLIGED TO REPORT that public authorities have in recent months distorted the competitive landscape via Enjoy the latest edition of Finnlines News. aid to certain operators. 3 In Memoriam Claus Høgh Scandinavia Ro-Ro Line Manager and Managing Director of Finnlines Danmark A/S Claus Høgh passed away on 2nd of July 2020 after serious illness at the age of 64 years. Claus was an experienced man- ager, fighting for his line and his agen- cy. He worked loyally for Finnlines for 15 years – through good times and bad. Also providing precious help with some important asset dismissals in a time of distress for the Company. Additionally, Claus had great inter- national experience within the busi- ness. In his early years, he worked for ACL in Copenhagen, Southampton and New York and later for CMB in Newbuilding programme Antwerp as Commercial Manager. Finnlines has a modern and energy-efficient fleet When moving back to Denmark after consisting of 21 vessels, of which 9 are ro-pax and years abroad, he joined Lillebaelt Shipping as Managing Director before 12 ro-ro vessels. Over the years, the Company joining Finnlines in 2005. has invested more than a billion euros in renewal At Finnlines Claus was known as of vessels. All these investments were aimed at a top shipping professional. His skills improving energy efficiency and thus contribute more and experience were appreciated to reducing emissions. by his colleagues throughout the Finnlines’ EUR 500 million newbuilding Grimaldi Group organization. He will programme will increase the Company’s combined also be remembered for his excellent fleet capacity by 40% for rolling cargo like trailers, sense of humour which he was able lorries and cars and by an even more impressive 60% to show also in difficult times. in passenger capacity. This investment will provide He leaves behind a wife and two perfect tools to respond to future customer needs. daughters by whom he will be greatly Finnlines is investing in new environmentally missed. friendly vessels to cut emissions further. The world’s greenest ro-ro vessels are currently being built to accommodate sustainable development. These ultra green vessels will be built with the latest technology available to ensure the lowest CO2 emissions. In addition, Finnlines has also ordered two Superstar eco-efficient ro-pax vessels, which will pioneer in honouring green values. They are designed to provide maximum efficiency and the seamless transfer of cargo and passengers. 4 Finnlines Newbuilding team is committed to developing the best possible vessel concept for Finnlines. Mikael Lindholm, Pasi Väänänen, Juha Ahia and Kristiina Uppala took part in a meeting. Bringing up the Next Generation Introducing Finnlines Newbuilding team All four members in the Newbuilding team have a proven track record of shipping and maritime industry. Their expertise covers navigation, ship design, dockings, classification, hotel management, cruise business... In fact, the list is never-ending. All are committed to developing a new, advanced vessel concept. > 5 Newbuildings seem to be Mikael’s Head of Newbuilding destiny as he supervised Silja Serenade Mikael Lindholm when the vessel was built at the Turku Shipyard in 1989–1990. When he joined Mikael Lindholm was appointed Head of Finnlines in 2012 to lead Finnlines Ship Newbuilding at the beginning of 2020 as Management, the last Breeze-class it was necessary to pay full-time atten- ro-ro vessels were under construction. tion on the EUR 500-million investment “I had hardly settled at Finnlines when programme. I had to travel to China to attend a sea Mikael finished his long sailing ca- trial. Later I celebrated delivery and ship I got familiar reer as a Captain onboard Silja Line’s naming ceremonies. These occasions passenger ferry in the late 1990s and gave me an opportunity to get well with the Jinling landed with working on various projects familiar with the Jinling Shipyard, which Shipyard, which in the company’s shore organisation. He now makes it easier to work on the new moved on to act as a Marine Manager projects.” now makes it easier and finally as a Director of Ship Manage- Challenges are always welcome. “At to work on the new ment. Being a member of the Executive Finnlines we are very excited to work on projects. Group, he got a good overall picture of these milestones and I am very proud of all company operations. my professional team.” Newbuilding meet changes in capacity demand and amendments in legislation. “Lengthen- Project Manager ing of the six Breeze-class ro-ro vessels Juha Ahia could be seen as quite a spectacle, but Having graduated as a Naval Archi- the project was technically even more tect, Juha Ahia was employed by the successful than we expected,” Juha ship design and engineering company says. Deltamarin. “University studies aimed for Juha works on newbuildings from day understanding fundamental principles of one when the owner decides to order naval architecture and marine engineer- new ships. “The building process, which ing, such as ship design, stability and starts with the design development and hydrodynamics, loads and structures, ends when the ship sets off for traffic, is and machinery. Courses could be quite long and hectic, involving many play- The Superstar theoretical, but an academic background ers both within and outside Finnlines.