As part of its ambitious fleet renewal and expansion strategy, the Grimaldi Group has commissioned the construction of nine state-of-the-art Ro-Pax vessels from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai), a subsidiary of the China Merchants Group.
The agreement, valued at approximately US$1.3 billion, was officially signed on Tuesday in Hong Kong. The newbuilds represent a major step forward in sustainable maritime transportation, as all nine vessels will be equipped with engines capable of running on methanol—supporting the Group’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.
Of the nine vessels, six will operate in the Mediterranean under the “Next Generation Med” class. Four of these will sail under the Italian flag for Grimaldi Lines, while the remaining two will be operated by Minoan Lines, the Group’s Greek subsidiary.
The other three vessels, classified as “Hansa Superstar,” will sail under the Finnish flag for Finnlines and serve the Baltic Sea routes. This new class is an evolution of Finnlines’ current Superstar-class vessels.
Delivery of the vessels is scheduled between 2028 and 2030.
The new ships will incorporate cutting-edge green technologies, including optimized hull and propeller designs, advanced onboard energy management systems, shore power readiness, and silicon-based hull coatings. These innovations are expected to reduce CO₂ emissions per transported cargo unit by over 50% compared to current vessels operating on the same routes.
The Mediterranean Ro-Pax vessels will be 229 meters long, featuring a freight capacity of 3,300 lane metres for rolling cargo and space for over 300 cars. They will accommodate up to 2,500 passengers, with more than 300 cabins (housing 1,200+ guests) and around 700 reclining seats.
The three new vessels for the Baltic Sea will be slightly longer at 240 meters, with an enhanced cargo capacity of 5,100 lane metres for rolling freight and space for 90 cars.
Designed for the Finland-Germany route, these ships will offer 320 cabins and carry up to 1,100 passengers. Building upon the design of Finnlines’ Finnsirius and Finncanopus, they will include updated cabin layouts, additional dining options, and a strong focus on passenger comfort for longer voyages.
This significant investment reinforces the Grimaldi Group’s position as a leader in sustainable shipping and sets a new benchmark for innovation in the Ro-Pax sector.
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