MS James Joyce

For other ships with the same name, see MS Oscar Wilde and Star (ship).
James Joyce; as Star entering Helsinki in 2007
History
Name
  • Star (2007–2023)
  • Oscar Wilde (2023–2024)
  • James Joyce (2024–present)
OwnerTallink (2007–present)
Operator
Port of registryLimassol,  Cyprus (2023–present)
RouteHolyhead - Dublin - Cherbourg
Ordered1 August 2005
BuilderAker Finnyards Helsinki Shipyard, Finland
Yard number1356
Laid down30 May 2006
Launched23 November 2006
Christened23 November 2006
Acquired10 March 2007
Maiden voyage2007
In service12 April 2007
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
TypeFast ropax ferry
Tonnage
Length186.00 m (610 ft 3 in)
Beam27.70 m (90 ft 11 in)
Draught6.50 m (21 ft 4 in)
Ice class1 A Super
Propulsion
  • 4 × MaK diesels
  • combined 48,000 kW (64,000 hp)
Speed27 kn (50.0 km/h; 31.1 mph)
Capacity
  • 2,080 passengers
  • 134 cabins
  • 520 passenger beds
  • 450 cars
  • 2,380 lanemeters

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

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The ship's design is heavily based on that of SeaFrance Rodin, built by Aker Finnyards for SeaFrance in 2001.

Construction and career

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Star was the first fast ferry capable of year-round service used on the Helsinki–Tallinn route.[1] 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".[2] 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.[3]

During the COVID-19 outbreak crisis the ship was assigned[4] 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

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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.[5][6] The ship was renamed Oscar Wilde and was initially positioned on the Rosslare – Pembroke route, replacing the also chartered Greek ferry Blue Star 1.[7]

On 31 January 2024 she was replaced on the route from Rosslare by Norbay, allowing Oscar Wilde to be deployed from 11 February 2024[8] 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.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "Tallink's New Vessel Named Superstar" (Press release). Tallink. Archived from the original on 2008-04-15.
  3. ^ "Turun Sanomat: M/S Star delayed by a week".[dead link‍]
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Long-term charter agreement for the shuttle vessel Star" (Press release). Tallink. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Irish Ferries introduces new Cruise Ferry". Irish Ferries. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Oscar Wilde | Irish Ferries | Rosslare Pembroke". Irish Ferries. Retrieved 2023-05-14.[dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Stena Line Irish Sea ferry fleet January 2024 updates". NIFerrySite. 2024-01-28. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  9. ^ "Irish Ferries Name Changes for Dover Calais and Holyhead Dublin ships". Irish Ferries. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
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Media related to IMO 9364722 at Wikimedia Commons

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