Tallink temporarily replaces Silja Europa to mend hull damage

TALLINN – Listed Estonian shipper Tallink Grupp announced on Wednesday that it will temporarily replace its vessel Silja Europa on the Tallinn-Helsinki route with the company's other vessel Victoria I, as Silja Europa sustained hull damage when mooring at the port of Tallinn on Tuesday evening.

After immediate assessments of the damage, it was clear that the hull of the vessel, which came into contact with the pier, needs repairs before the vessel can sail again. According to initial estimates, the repairs are likely to take seven days, Tallink said.

The company has, therefore, decided to temporarily add its vessel Victoria I, currently in lay-up at Paljassaare port in Tallinn, to provide much-needed capacity on the Tallinn-Helsinki route.

Victoria I will start temporarily operating on the Tallinn-Helsinki route on Thursday, April 7, and will operate in the temporary Silja Europa schedule until April 10.

Passengers whose Wednesday's sailings have been canceled will be contacted and offered alternative transport on the company's shuttle vessel Megastar, alternative cruise options on Silja Serenade or overnight stays at Tallink Hotels. The company's other shuttle vessel, Star, is currently in Poland in regular maintenance, returning to the Tallinn-Helsinki route on Monday, April 11.