The ship, which is almost two football fields long, can accommodate 2,800 passengers. MyStar, which moves at a maximum speed of 27 knots, cost 247 million euros.
TALLINN On the eighth deck of MyStar, several invited guests come to the same conclusion through their sense of smell. The smell of a new car is familiar, but now the smell of a new ship has also been experienced.
Less leather and rubber than in cars. More textiles, wood and plastics.
We have had to wait for a new rough ship. MyStar, built by Rauma Marine Constructions, was originally supposed to be handed over to Tallink last Christmas. Traffic was planned to start at the beginning of this year.
– The completion of the ship was delayed by the global corona pandemic and the one that has now lasted almost a year [Ukrainan] sota, CEO of Tallink Group SpongeBob Nõgene says to .
The start of MyStar operations was delayed several times during the autumn from the dates announced by the shipping company. During the ship’s test voyages, technical problems and adjustment needs emerged, for example in the propulsion and steering system.
Slower driving saves fuel
– Now, however, we don’t want to look back, but forward, says Nõgene and promises more travel comfort and technical progress with MyStar.
The ship’s engines run on both LNG natural gas and diesel. The ship has been designed down to the hull in such a way that less power is needed to reach the same speed than in the shipping company’s previous flagship, the MegaStar.
While at the dock, MyStar uses shore power, which means it does not have to generate operating current with its own auxiliary engines. However, this is only at night. During the day, the berthing time is too short to connect to shore power.
– Thanks to new technology and smart solutions, the ship’s turnaround time in the port is even shorter. This enables slower driving at sea, which saves fuel, Tallink Group Chief Captain Tarvi-Carlos Tuulik told the group of journalists who visited MyStar yesterday, Monday.
The beauty of the Baltic Sea inspired interior designers
The interior of MyStar is an interior architect Vertti Kiven and the handwriting of his office.
– There is a clear difference in the world between car ferries and cruise ships, they are a bit like buses and taxis. With MyStar, we have made a leap from the ferry world towards the experiential nature of cruise travel, says Kivi.
According to him, the main theme of the ship’s interior is the Baltic Sea and its beauty.
– We started from what is brilliant, beautiful and unique that can be found above and below the surface of the Baltic Sea.
The designers used, for example, close-up photos of small feathers enlarged to huge sizes as interior elements.
Only 46 cabins have been built for a maximum of 2,800 passengers. According to Paavo Nõgene, it is a conscious choice.
– The cabins are intended mostly for truck drivers. Two hours is such a short time that other passengers don’t use the cabins any worse, he reasons.
MyStar starts operating today, Tuesday, at 1:30 p.m. with a departure from Tallinn to Helsinki.
You can discuss the topic until Wednesday, December 14 at 11 p.m.