HSC SuperSeaCat Three
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HSC SuperSeaCat Three 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 Three was the third mono-hulled fast ferry to be built for Sea Containers. She was initially set in traffic between Liverpool, UK and Dublin, Ireland. In 2000 Dublin was switched to Douglas, Isle of Man. The following year SuperSeaCat Three started operating between Dover, UK and Calais, France.
Since the year 2000 Sea Containers had operated HSC SuperSeaCat Four between Helsinki and Tallinn, marketed as a part of their Silja Line brand. The route was highly profitable and in 2003 It was decided that SuperSeaCat Three should join her sister in that service. Due to the Baltic Sea freezing during winter, the service could not be operated between January and April each year, so the ship spent those month laid up. 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 monopoly 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
- Speed: 42 knots
- Passengers: 671
- Cars: 164
- Sister ships: HSC Almudaina Dos, HSC SuperSeaCat Two, HSC SuperSeaCat Four
[edit] See Also
[edit] External Links
- SuperSeaCat Three at Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish)
