 James Joyce; as Star entering Helsinki in 2007
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner | Tallink (2007–present) |
| Operator |
|
| Port of registry | Limassol,  Cyprus (2023–present) |
| Route | Holyhead - Dublin - Cherbourg |
| Ordered | 1 August 2005 |
| Builder | Aker Finnyards Helsinki Shipyard, Finland |
| Yard number | 1356 |
| Laid down | 30 May 2006 |
| Launched | 23 November 2006 |
| Christened | 23 November 2006 |
| Acquired | 10 March 2007 |
| Maiden voyage | 2007 |
| In service | 12 April 2007 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Fast ropax ferry |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 186.00 m (610 ft 3 in) |
| Beam | 27.70 m (90 ft 11 in) |
| Draught | 6.50 m (21 ft 4 in) |
| Ice class | 1 A Super |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 27 kn (50.0 km/h; 31.1 mph) |
| Capacity |
|
MS James Joyce is a fast Ro-Pax ferry operated by Irish Ferries on the Dublin to Holyhead and Cherbourg routes on charter from Tallink. She was built as Star at Aker Finnyards Helsinki Shipyard, Finland for Tallink and entered service on their Helsinki – Tallinn service on 12 April 2007. After being chartered by Irish Ferries in 2023, the ship's name was changed to Oscar Wilde. In May 2024, Irish Ferries renamed the ferry James Joyce.
Specifications
The ship's design is heavily based on that of SeaFrance Rodin, built by Aker Finnyards for SeaFrance in 2001.
Construction and career
Tallink
Star was the first fast ferry capable of year-round service used on the Helsinki–Tallinn route. The green external livery of the ship was according to Tallink promotional material "meant to reflect the environmentally friendly aspects of the ship's design". Star operated three daily departures from both Helsinki and Tallinn, each crossing taking two hours. In Tallink marketing, Star was often referred to as "Tallink Star". The ship's planned original delivery date was 5 April 2007, but this was postponed until 12 April 2007, owing to problems with the main engines.
During the COVID-19 outbreak crisis the ship was assigned to a government emergency service between Paldiski, Estonia, and Sassnitz, Germany to ease the transportation of goods between Estonia and Central Europe. Poland had closed its borders and required health declarations from truck drivers which introduced long truck queues on its borders and slowed transportation.
Irish Ferries
On 6 April 2023, Irish Ferries announced they were chartering Star from Tallink for 20 months, with possible extensions of 2+2 years, and an eventual possibility of purchase. The ship was renamed Oscar Wilde and was initially positioned on the Rosslare – Pembroke route, replacing the also chartered Greek ferry Blue Star 1.
On 31 January 2024 she was replaced on the route from Rosslare by Norbay, allowing Oscar Wilde to be deployed from 11 February 2024 on the company's two primary services from Dublin, sailing to Cherbourg, France on one weekend rotation and to Holyhead, Wales for the rest of the week. After new chartered ships entered service with Irish Ferries, Oscar Wilde was renamed James Joyce in May 2024.
References
- "Tallink's New Vessel Star Started on Tallinn–Helsinki Route" (Press release). Tallink. Archived from the original on 2007-10-06. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- "Tallink's New Vessel Named Superstar" (Press release). Tallink. Archived from the original on 2008-04-15.
- "Turun Sanomat: M/S Star delayed by a week".
- "Tallinki laev Star jätkab Paldiski-Sassnitzi liinil tihedat seilamist" [Tallink's ship Star continues to sail regularly on the Paldiski-Sassnitz line]. Delfi arileht (in Estonian). 24 March 2020. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
- "Long-term charter agreement for the shuttle vessel Star" (Press release). Tallink. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- "Irish Ferries introduces new Cruise Ferry". Irish Ferries. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- "Oscar Wilde | Irish Ferries | Rosslare Pembroke". Irish Ferries. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
- "Stena Line Irish Sea ferry fleet January 2024 updates". NIFerrySite. 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- "Irish Ferries Name Changes for Dover Calais and Holyhead Dublin ships". Irish Ferries. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
External links
Media related to IMO 9364722 at Wikimedia Commons
- Tallink official website for Star
- (in Swedish) Fakta om Fartyg: M/S Star (2007)
- Star at marinetraffic.com
| Tallink Group ships | |
|---|---|
| Tallink | |
| Silja Line | |
| On charter | |