Superfast VIII, 28 February 2008

Superfast VIII

IMO 9198953
Built 2001, HDW Kiel, Germany
Tonnage 30 285 GT
Length 203,30 m
Width 25,42 m
Draught 6,60 m
Ice class 1 A Super
626 passengers
626 berths
661 cars
1 920 lane metres
4 Wärtsilä-Sulzer diesels, combined 46 000 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
1 stern thruster
Speed 28,9 knots

For the history of the Superfast VIII and her sisters, please refer to the previous entry about the Superfast VIII (incidentally, I would like to ask the Gods of Ship Photography why it's always the Superfast VIII that appears in a location where I'm photographing? I've got a grand total of zero pics about the Superfast VII but a huge pile of photos of the Superfast VIII).

In terms of design the Superfast VII though X series is a further development on the Superfast Ferries look first premiered on the Masa Yards -built sisters Superfast III and IV (now Transport of Tasmania's Spirit of Tasmania II and I, respectively). Personally I find that in terms of the exterior at least the VII-X series is the most attractive. All of the similar-looking III-XII ships are attractively sleek and streamlined in appearance, with pleasantly clean lines, but on the VII-X quartet this design is most effective thanks to their less extensive superstructures. In terms of the exterior the Superfast VIII and her sisters rank amongst my favourites amongst modern ships.

Superfast VIII backing from the quay in Tallinn Reisisadam on the relatively warm winter day on 28 February 2008. The Soviet relic of the Tallinn TV tower in the background. Click on the image to view full size.