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AS Tallink Grupp and Meyer Turku Oy have signed a letter of intent for the construction of an environmentally friendly car-passenger ferry for route shuttle operations between Tallinn and Helsinki.

The ship is expected to cost around 230 million euros. It is due to be built at Turku shipyard and is scheduled for delivery at the start of 2017.

In a statement, Tallink Grupp said: "The ship will bring significant improvement in energy efficiency which is achieved by applying numerous innovations and new technical solutions. Green values, reduction of all emissions, minimizing the amount of waste and increasing recycling utilization, have been very carefully taken into account in the design of the ferry. The ship uses LNG as fuel and she complies with the new and stricter emission regulations for the ECA areas including the Baltic Sea."

Janek Stalmeister, board member of Tallink Grupp, commented: "As the market leader and a long time operator on the route we have a good understanding of customer expectations and know what needs improvement. I am confident that the world-class experience of Meyer Turku will be once again a valuable asset for us to deliver a high quality new ferry, which will strengthen our competitive advantages."

Jan Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku Oy, remarked: "A series of six ferries between years 2002-2009 has been delivered to Tallink and this ship will be the 7th newbuilding for the same shipowner. I'm very happy that Meyer Turku will continue the excellent and trusting cooperation with Tallink. This new ferry prototype gives us an excellent opportunity to apply improved design & building methods. For all these reasons this Letter of Intent signed today is very important to Meyer Turku and to the entire Finnish shipbuilding cluster."

According to Tallink Grupp, the new ferry will be approximately 212 metres in length with a gross tonnage of 49,000.

"Over the next few months Tallink Grupp and Meyer Turku will work on the final shipbuilding contract and financing," Tallink Grupp added.