The Grimaldi Group, a leading global player in maritime transport, has announced a significant investment of $1.3 billion for the construction of nine cutting-edge ro-pax (roll-on/roll-off passenger) vessels. The order has been placed with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai), a subsidiary of China Merchants Group.

The ambitious project encompasses two distinct classes of vessels designed to enhance the quality of maritime transport in both the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea. Six of the newbuilds, belonging to the “Next Generation Med” class, will operate in the Mediterranean. Four of these will fly the Italian flag under the Grimaldi Lines brand, while the remaining two will be deployed by the Greek subsidiary, Minoan Lines, under the Greek flag. These sister ships are the first vessels in the Mediterranean specifically designed to run on methanol, a cleaner alternative fuel.

The remaining three vessels will be delivered to Finnlines and will sail under the Finnish flag. These ships will inaugurate the “Hansa Superstar” class, representing an evolution of Finnlines’ existing state-of-the-art “Superstar” series. They are specifically intended for routes in the Baltic Sea.

All nine vessels are slated for delivery between 2028 and 2030 and will incorporate advanced technologies aimed at minimizing their environmental impact. Key features include optimized hull, and propeller designs to improve hydrodynamics, energy-efficient onboard power management systems for both sea and port operations, and shore power readiness to eliminate emissions while berthed. Furthermore, the application of silicon-based hull coatings is projected to reduce CO2 emissions per transported cargo unit by more than 50% compared to existing vessels operating on the same routes. This substantial reduction underscores Grimaldi’s commitment to sustainable shipping practices.

The “Next Generation Med” vessels, with a length of 229 metres, will boast a substantial cargo capacity of 3,300 lane metres for rolling freight and space for over 300 cars. They will also offer comfortable accommodation for up to 2,500 passengers, including over 300 cabins accommodating more than 1,200 guests and approximately 700 reclining seats. It will boast a variety of onboard amenities like three bars, a shopping area, a conference hall, two self-service restaurants, a panoramic à la carte restaurant, an indoor/outdoor lounge with a sun deck featuring two pools, and a rooftop disco bar.

The three “Hansa Superstar” class vessels destined for the Baltic Sea will be even larger, measuring 240 metres in length. They will offer a significant cargo capacity of 5,100 lane metres for rolling freight, along with space for 90 cars and accommodation in 320 cabins for up to 1,100 passengers. Building upon the successful design of Finnlines’ Finnsirius and Finncanopus, these new ships will be adapted for the Finland-Germany route, catering to longer crossings with new cabin categories and diverse restaurant options focused on passenger comfort and onboard experience.