Tallink

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Tallink
Type Public
Founded 1965
Headquarters Tallinn, Estonia
Industry maritime transportation
Revenue 404.6 MEUR (2005/2006)
Profit 94.9 MEUR (2005/2006)
Employees 3463 (average 01.09.05 - 31.08.06)
Website www.tallink.com
MS Star and MS Galaxy in Helsinki, April 2007.
MS Star and MS Galaxy in Helsinki, April 2007.

Tallink is an Estonian shipping company currently operating cruiseferries and ropax ships from Estonia to Finland, Estonia to Sweden, Latvia to Sweden and Finland to Germany. They also own Silja Line, SeaWind Line and a part of SeaRail[1].

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early years

History of the company known today as Tallink can be traced back to the year 1965 when the Soviet Union-based Estonian Shipping Company (ESCO) started passenger traffic between Helsinki and Tallinn with MS Vanemuine.[2] Regular around-the-year traffic was started in 1968 with M/S Tallinn, which served on the route until she was replaced by the new MS Georg Ots in 1980.[3][4]

The original MS Tallink in Tallinn harbour, 1994.
The original MS Tallink in Tallinn harbour, 1994.

In May 1989 ESCO formed a new subsidiary, Laevandusühisettevõte Tallink, together with the Finnish Palkkiyhtymä Oy. In December of the same year ESCO and Palkkiyhtymä purchased MS Scandinavian Sky from SeaEscape, and the ship began traffic on the Helsinki—Tallinn route in January 1990 as MS Tallink.[5] Later in the same year the freighter MS Transestonia joined the Tallink on the Helsinki—Tallinn route[6] and "Tallink" was established as the name of the company as well as the main ship. At the same time ESCO still operated the Georg Ots in the same route, essentially competing with its own daughter company. This conflict was resolved in September 1991 when the Georg Ots was chartered to Tallink.[5] In the early 90's passenger numbers on Helsinki—Tallinn traffic were steadily increasing, and during winters between 1992 and 1995 Tallink chartered MS Saint Patrick II from Irish Ferries to increase capacity on the route.[7]

[edit] 1993-2000

Tallink became a fully Estonian-owned company in 1993 when Palkkiyhtymä sold its shares of both the Tallink company and MS Tallink to ESCO.[5] At this time other companies were establishing themselves on the lucrative Helsinki—Tallinn traffic, including the Estonian New Line, owned by the Tallinn-based Inreko.[8] ESCO and Inreko saw no sense in competing with each other and in January 1994 Tallink and Inreko Laeva AS were merged into AS Eminre.[9] Tallink remained the marketing name for the company's fleet.[5][10] Later in the same year Inreko purchased MS Nord Estonia from EstLine (a daughter company of ESCO and the Swedish Nordström & Thulin Ab), renamed her MS Vana Tallinn and placed her in Helsinki—Tallinn traffic for Tallink.[11] Inreko also brought with them two fast hydrofoils, HS Liisa and HS Laura which began serving under the Tallink Express brand.[12] In 1994 Tallink also attempted traffic from Estonia to Germany for the first time, with two chartered ferries MS Balanga Queen and MS Ambassador II that were placed on the route Helsinki—Tallinn—Travemünde.[13][14]

In September 1994 AS Eminre's operations were divided into two companies, one that took care of the traffic to Germany (which was soon closed down) and AS Hansatee which took the Helsinki—Tallinn traffic and the Tallink name.[8][9] ESCO was clearly the dominant partner in Hansatee, controlling 45 % of the shares, whereas Inreko owned only 12,75 % (the remaining 42,25 % belonging to Ühispank, Estonia).[5] In 1995 Hansatee brought the first large ferry into Helsinki—Tallinn traffic when they chartered MS Mare Balticum from EstLine and renamed her MS Meloodia.[15] Following various disputes between ESCO and Inreko (most notably about the charter price of Vana Tallinn), Inreko sold their shares of AS Hansatee to ESCO in December 1996.[8] At the same time Inreko sold the Tallink Express hydrofoils to Linda Line, Estonia, and begun operating the Vana Tallinn on Helsinki—Tallinn traffic under the name TH Ferries.[8][11]

In 1997 a second large ferry was brought to Tallink's traffic when the company chartered MS Normandy from Stena Line.[16] To replace the lost hydrofoils, Hansatee purchased a new express catamaran in May 1997, which was named MS Tallink Express I.[5][17] At this time it was clear that two large ferries were needed for traffic between Helsinki and Tallinn, and when the Normandy's charter ended in December 1997 Tallink purchased MS Lion King from Stena Line, which entered traffic in February 1998 as MS Fantaasia.[18] In July of the same year Tallink purchased the freighter MS Kapella which opened a line from Paldiski to Kappelskär,[19] Tallink's first route to Sweden.[5] In October the original MS Tallink, which no longer conformed modern safety regulations, was sold.[20] Two months later Hansatee purchased the their first fast ferry capable of carrying cars, HSC Tallink AutoExpress.[21]

[edit] 2000-2006

Tallink's first newbuild MS Romantika in Helsinki, February 2006.
Tallink's first newbuild MS Romantika in Helsinki, February 2006.

By the year 2000 ESCO had become the sole owner of EstLine, and in December 2000 EstLine's two ferries MS Regina Baltica and MS Baltic Kristina were chartered to Hansatee, and the line between Tallinn and Stockholm began to be marketed as a part of Tallink.[5][22] A few months earlier, in August 2000, Hansatee had ordered their first newbuild from the Finnish Aker Finnyards.[23] In June 2001 Tallink purchased HSC Tallink AutoExpress 2,[24] while next month EstLine was declared bankrupt.

In 2002 AS Hansatee changed its name into AS Tallink Grupp,[9] and in May of the same year the company took delivery of the brand new 2500-passenger cruiseferry MS Romantika, which was placed on Helsinki—Tallinn traffic.[5][23] In November of the same year the classic Georg Ots was sold to the government of Russia.[4] In 2004 three news ships joined Tallink's fleet, HSC Tallink AutoExpress 3[25] and HSC Tallink AutoExpress 4[26] alongside the Romantika's sister MS Victoria I which was placed on Tallinn—Stockholm route,[27] replacing MS Fantaasia which in turn started a new route from Helsinki to St. Petersburg via Tallinn. This route proved unprofitable and was terminated in January 2005.[18] Later in 2005 Tallink ordered a sister ship of the to-be delived MS Galaxy[28] and a fast ropax ferry from Aker Finnyards[29] as well as another ropax ferry from the Fincantieri yard in Italy.[30] On December 9, 2005, Tallink was listed at Tallinn Stock Exchanges.[5]

[edit] 2006-present

In 2006, Tallink purchased the Baltic Sea operations of Superfast Ferries from Attica Group, opened a route between Riga and Stockholm[5] (with MS Fantaasia,[18] which was within a month replaced by MS Regina Baltica[31]), took delivery of the new MS Galaxy[32] which replaced Romantika on the Tallinn–Helsinki route (Romantika was transferred the Tallinn—Stockholm route).[23] A few months later Tallink purchased rival Silja Line from Sea Containers Ltd.[5] In October of the same year the company expressed interest in making an offer to operate ferries on the state-subsidiarised routes between Gotland and the Swedish mainland for the period between 2009 and 2015.[33]

From the beginning of 2007 the former Superfast ships were moved under the Tallink brand and their route changed to Tallinn—Helsinki—Rostock.[34][35][36] At the same time Meloodia was chartered to Balearias, Spain for ten months.[15] In April of the same year the company ordered a third Galaxy-class cruiseferry from Aker Yards.[37] In November Tallink reported the Meloodia would be sold to an undisclosed Singapore-based company with delivery in December of the same year.[38]

[edit] Future

The forward section of MS Baltic Princess under construction at Helsinki New Shipyard.
The forward section of MS Baltic Princess under construction at Helsinki New Shipyard.

Tallink have promised to maintain the Silja Line brand in the future, although this promise has met with some scepticism in amongst shipping enthustiasts in the Nordic Countries. However, Silja Line is one of the best known shipping company brand in its traffic area, and it would seem unlikely that Tallink should abandon such a well-known brand.

[edit] Controversies

[edit] Ignored man overboard

In April 2006 Tallink's ferry MS Regina Baltica, en route from Tallinn to Stockholm, ignored when multiple passengers reported that a passenger had fallen overboard. The crew refused to stop the ship to search for the passenger and the 21 year-old Estonian male perished in the incident. Tallink later accepted no responsibility for the accident, emphasizing that none of the passengers confirmed actually seeing the man falling overboard or in the water.[39]

[edit] Employee abuse

In October 2006, the board of Tallink held a meeting on board their ship MS Silja Symphony. During the night, the party got out of control and became headline news in Sweden, Estonia and Finland. Witnesses reported that the board members assaulted personnel, abused them verbally and threatened to fire the whole crew when they tried to calm them down. The company CEO Mr Enn Pant was even reported to have sexually harassed a male crew member.

[edit] Fleet

[edit] Current fleet

In the most recent Tallink Silja Line brochure (spring 2007) and TallinkSilja website, the names of all ships include a "Tallink" -prefix. However their registered names remain as listed below.

See also Silja Line - Current fleet
Ship Type Built Entered service Route Tonnage1 Flag Notes
MS Galaxy Cruiseferry 2006 2006 Tallinn—Helsinki 48915 GT Flag of Estonia Estonia Will transfer to Silja Line following the delivery of MS Baltic Princess.[40]
MS Kapella Freighter 1974 1998 Paldiski—Kapellskär 7564 GT Flag of Estonia Estonia
MS Regal Star Freighter 2000 2004 Paldiski—Kapellskär 15281 GRT Flag of Estonia Estonia
MS Regina Baltica Cruiseferry 1980 2001 Riga—Stockholm 13878 GRT Flag of Latvia Latvia Transferred from EstLine
MS Romantika Cruiseferry 2002 2002 Tallinn—Mariehamn—Stockholm 39864 GT Flag of Estonia Estonia First newbuild delivered to Tallink
MS Star Fast ro-pax ferry 2007 2007 Tallinn—Helsinki 33000 GT Flag of Estonia Estonia
MS Superfast VII Fast ro-pax ferry 2001 2006 Tallinn—Helsinki—Rostock 30285 GT Flag of Estonia Estonia Bought from Superfast Ferries
MS Superfast VIII Fast ro-pax ferry 2001 2006 Tallinn—Helsinki—Rostock 30285 GT Flag of Estonia Estonia Bought from Superfast Ferries
MS Superfast IX Fast ro-pax ferry 2001 2006 Tallinn—Helsinki—Rostock 30285 GT Flag of Estonia Estonia Bought from Superfast Ferries
MS Superstar Fast ro-pax ferry 2008 2008 Tallinn—Helsinki 36400 GT Flag of Estonia Estonia
MS Vana Tallinn Cruiseferry 1974 1994 Riga—Stockholm 10002 GRT Flag of Latvia Latvia
MS Victoria I Cruiseferry 2004 2004 Tallinn—Mariehamn—Stockholm 40975 GT Flag of Estonia Estonia
1May be specified in gross tonnage (GT) or gross register tons (GRT).

[edit] Ships under construction

Ship Planned service entry date Shipyard Planned route Projected gross tonnage
MS Baltic Princess autumn 2008[40] Aker Yards, Helsinki Helsinki—Tallinn 48900 GT
NB 1365 spring 2009 Aker Yards, Rauma Unknown, possibly Turku—Mariehamn—Stockholm[41] 48900 GT

[edit] Former vessels

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Ship Built In service Tonnage1 Status as of 2008
MS Tallink 1972 1989-1996 10341 GRT Scrapped in Alang, India, 2005
MS Transestonia 1972 1990-2000 2386 GRT Scrapped in Alang, India, 2006
MS Saint Patrick II 1973 1992-1995 7984 GRT Since 2002 MS C.T.M.A. Vacancier, owned by the government of Canada
MS Georg Ots 1980 1993-2000 12549 GRT Since 2002 owned by St Petersburg Shipping
MS Corbiere
MS Apollo		 1970 1994
1998		 4238 GRT Since 2000 MS Apollo, owned by Labrador Marine Inc
MS Balanga Queen 1968 1994 10448 GRT Since 1994 MS Discovery Sun for Discovery Cruise Line
MS Ambassador II 1970 1994 7993 GRT Since 1999 sails for Sterling Casino Lines
MS Meloodia 1979 1996-2006 17955 GT Since 2007 MS ARV 1 Equinox Offshore Accommodation, under reconstruction to a supply and accommodation vessel
MS Tallink Express I 1989 1997-2001 430 GRT Since 2001 MS Panormitis for A.N.E.S. High Speed Ltd.
MS Normandy 1981 1997 17043 GRT Since 2008 owned by Equinox Offshore Accommodation, due for a reconstruction to a supply and accommodation vessel
MS Fantaasia 1979 1997-2006 10604 GT Since 2007 under charter to Kystlink
HSC Tallink Autoexpress 1996 1999-2006 5308 GRT Since 2006 HSC Alcantara Dos, owned by Acciona Trasmediterranea
MS Baltic Kristina 1973 2001-2002 12281 GRT Since 2007 MS Rigel for Ventouris Ferries
HSC Tallink Autoexpress 3 1997 2004-2007 3971 GRT Since 2007 HSC Queen Nefertiti for Arab Bridge Maritime Co
HSC Tallink Autoexpress 4 1996 2004-2007 3971 GRT Since 2007 HSC Speedrunner II for Aegean Speed Lines
HSC Tallink AutoExpress 2 1997 2001-2007 5307 GRT Since 2007 under charter to Consolidada de Ferrys until September 2009
1May be specified in gross tonnage (GT) or gross register tons (GRT).

[edit] References

  1. ^ SeaRail: Information about SeaRail, retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  2. ^ (Finnish) FCBS Forum: Re: Tallinkin, ESCO:n, Inrekon jne. suhteista, retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  3. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Svanetiya (1960), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  4. ^ a b (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Georg Ots (1980), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Tallink official website: Company history, retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  6. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Arona (1972), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  7. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Aurella (1973), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  8. ^ a b c d (Finnish) FCBS Forum: Tallinkin, ESCO:n, Inrekon jne. suhteista, retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  9. ^ a b c FCBS Forum: Tallinkin, ESCO:n, Inrekon jne. suhteista, retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  10. ^ Simplon Postcards: Tallink, retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  11. ^ a b (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Dana Regina (1974), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  12. ^ Tallink brochure, summer 1994
  13. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Freeport (1968), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  14. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Prins Oberon (1970), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  15. ^ a b (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Diana II av Slite (1979), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  16. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Prinsessan Birgitta (1981), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  17. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Sleipner (1989), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  18. ^ a b c (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Turella (1979), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  19. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Duke of Yorkshire (1974), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  20. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Svea Regina (1972), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  21. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: HSC SuperSeaCat France (1996), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  22. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: EstLine, retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  23. ^ a b c (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Romantika (2002), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  24. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: HSC Boomerang (1997), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  25. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: HSC Pegasus Two (1997), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  26. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: HSC Pegasus One (1996), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  27. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Victoria (2003), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  28. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S NB 1361 (2008), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  29. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Star (2007), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  30. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Superstar (2008), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  31. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Viking Song (1980), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  32. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Galaxy (2006), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  33. ^ (Swedish) Gotlandska.se: Tallink visar intresse för Gotlandstrafiken, retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  34. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Superfast VII (2001), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  35. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Superfast VIII (2001), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  36. ^ (Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Superfast IX (2002), retrieved 2. 11. 2007
  37. ^ Aker Yards press release 11. 4. 2007, retrieved 23. 8. 2007
  38. ^ Tallink Stock Exhange release 14. 11. 2007: Sale of Meloodia, retrieved 16. 11. 2007
  39. ^ (Swedish) Expressen: Tallinks vd: "Det är kaptenen som tar besluten", retrieved 23. 8. 2007
  40. ^ a b Sakari Nupponen (2008-02-13). Galaxy 2:n neitsytmatka lykkääntyi syksyyn (in Finnish). Ilta-Sanomat. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
  41. ^ (Finnish) Turun Sanomat: Tallink tilaa Aker Yardsilta uuden risteilijän Turku-Tukholma -välille, retrieved 1. 10. 2007

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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Tallink · Silja Line · SeaWind Line