The 2002-built ferry will be handed over to her new owners at Hibernia Line on 1 May 2026, swapping the Kapellskär-Paldiski crossing for the newly created service between Cork and Boulogne-sur-Mer.

It will be a three-year charter, with an option for prolonging it by two years, as well as for purchasing the vessel.

Superfast IX currently offers room for 550 passengers and 2,425 lane metres for rolling cargo. She returned under Tallink's wings two years ago after her 2008-2024 employment with Marine Atlantic.

"Tallink continues to optimize its routes to ensure efficient operations. The charter agreement provides the company with a stable cash flow rather than a reduction in business volume," said Paavo Nõgene, the outgoing CEO of Tallink Grupp.

He also noted, "Superfast IX is not the most suitable vessel for the Paldiski-Kapellskär route due to its large passenger capacity. We have no plans to withdraw from the route; instead, we are looking for a replacement vessel of appropriate size and configuration."

Photo: Henri Petrutis/Tallink Grupp