HSC SuperSeaCat Four
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HSC SuperSeaCat Four is a fast ferry capable of carrying passenger and cars operating for SuperSeaCat between Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia. She was built in 1999 at Fincantieri, Riva Trigoso, Italy, for Sea Containers Ltd.
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[edit] History
SuperSeaCat Four was the fourth and last mono-hulled fast ferry to be built for Sea Containers. Originally it was planned that she would be set in traffic between Brindisi, Italy and Çeşme, Turkey. The plan was abandoned however, and after delivery in May 1999 SuperSeaCat Four was laid up in La Spezia, Italy.
In 1999 Sea Containers acquired the majority of shares in classic Finnish shipping company Silja Line. Silja were at the time operating traditional ferries on the highly lucrative route between Helsinki and Tallinn, the capitals of Finland and Estonia respectively, but had no fast ferries operating on the route. Sea Containers decided to set their extra SuperSeaCat on that route, and from April 17, 2000 onwards SuperSeaCat Four sailed on the route under Silja Line SuperSeaCat brand. Due to the Baltic Sea freezing during winter, the service could not be operated between January and April each year. The ship spent those months laid up. In 2003 Sea Containers added a second SuperSeaCat to the route, HSC SuperSeaCat Three. For the summer season of 2005 a third ship, HSC SuperSeaCat One was added to the service.
In late 2005 Sea Containers decided to sell their ferry operations, including the profitable Silja Line. However, the company that bought Silja Line, Estonian ferry operator Tallink, already operated several fast ferries (as well as traditional ferries) between Helsinki and Tallinn. As a result they could not take over the SuperSeaCats as that would have given them a monolopy on the route. Hence Sea Containers decided, despite their earlier decision, to continue operating SuperSeaCat Three and Four under the SuperSeaCat brand.
[edit] Specifications
- Built: 1999 by Fincantieri, Riva Trigoso, Italy
- Port of registry: La Spezia, Italy
- Length: 100,30 meters
- Breadth: 17,10 meters
- Tonnage: 4465 BRT
- Speed: 42 knots
- Passengers: 707
- Cars: 164
- Sister ships: HSC Almudaina Dos, HSC SuperSeaCat Two, HSC SuperSeaCat Three
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- SuperSeaCat Four at Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish)
