Tallink Gruppe’s 1993-built ‘Silja Europa’ has arrived at the Turku Repair Yard in Naantali, Finland for scheduled maintenance and planned renewal works that would make the ship more environmentally friendly.
She is due to stay at Naantali for two weeks before returning to the Tallinn-Helsinki route on 9th February.
On the technical side – like all Tallink’s vessels undergoing scheduled dockings this year – preparations will be made to the vessel for the use of high-voltage shore connection during its port stays. She will also be fitted with a ballast water treatment system.
As part of the planned maintenance works, the vessel’s provision cooling system, as well as the ship’s automation and power management systems will be replaced.
Commenting on the Silja Europa planned works, Capt Tarvi-Carlos Tuulik, Tallink Grupp’s Head of Ship Management, said: “ ‘Silja Europa’ is the largest cruise ferry operating on the Baltic Sea and is very popular among our customers for both regular day cruises, as well as special cruises offered over the spring and summer period. Therefore, it is very important that we regularly modernise the vessel.
“Increased energy efficiency and reduction of emissions are a top priority for Tallink fleet. ‘Silja Europa’ will return to the route fully ready for the high season, (and) will have the latest technology on board,” he said.
‘Silja Europa’ is the fourth Tallink vessel to enter drydock in the first quarter of 2020.
Tallink explained that it undertakes a continuous ship renovation programme, updating and refreshing all of its ships during a five-year period. In the last five years alone, the company has invested nearly €90 mill on upgrading its vessels.
Earlier this month, Tallink Grupp adopted a group-wide corporate social responsibility strategy (CSR) and initial sustainable operations goals. As a result, the company will focus its sustainability efforts and activities on four areas: Looking after Climate, Looking after the Sea, Looking after Resources and Looking after People.
Under each of these focus areas, the company will have more specific activities and targets, such as the reduction of emissions, reduction of the use of plastics and others.
Referring to the strategy and goals, Paavo Nõgene, Tallink Grupp CEO, said: “We have just entered the decisive decade of action for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The IMO’s official world maritime theme for the year 2020 is also ‘Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet’, so there is an increased focus on CSR issues all around us.
“There is no time to waste if we want to make a tangible difference and it is up to every single one of us – as individuals and as companies and organisations – to take practical steps to achieve the positive impact necessary,” he said.
Tallink Grupp currently owns 14 vessels and operates seven ferry routes under the brand names of Tallink and Silja Line.
