This ferry will carry in excess of 700 people and provide them with modern and well-appointed passenger areas including restaurants, gift shop, snack bar, bar, seating lounges, and a spa.
Here are a few highlights:
The Vessel
The Superfast IX is a Ro-Pax ferry. It was constructed in Kiel Germany in 2002 and was acquired by Tallink in 2006 to operate between Estonia and Helsinki.
Size
The vessel is significantly larger than any other vessel ever operated by Marine Atlantic. The ferry is 203 metres in length and has four propulsion engines with a total output of 46 Megawatts and can travel at speeds up to 27 knots. In comparison, the MV Caribou is 179 metres long. It has four engines with a total output of 21 Megawatts and can travel at speeds of up to 20 knots.
Capacity
The new ferry has in excess of 50 percent more vehicle capacity than either the MV Caribou or the MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood. It is capable of carrying approximately 531 cars or a mix of cars and commercial vehicles using the two main vehicle decks and the two lower decks. The lower decks are sized to accommodate only cars. In comparison, the MV Caribou has a capacity of carrying 350 cars or a mix of cars and commercial vehicles on its two vehicle decks.
Fuel Efficiency
On a per vehicle basis, the new vessel will be 34 percent more fuel efficient than either the MV Caribou or the MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood.
Ice Class
The vessel has an equivalent Ice Class to the MV Caribou.
Amenities
The vessel has modern passenger areas which include a gift shop, restaurants, snack bar, bar, spa, seating lounges, and 196 passenger cabins in a variety of classes. In addition, this vessel has a dedicated Trucker Lounge, the first time such amenity is offered by Marine Atlantic.
Accessibility
The vessel is fully accessible for persons with disabilities. It has elevators, appropriate cabins, and full access to restaurants, lounges, washrooms and other amenities.
