MS Star (2006)

MS Star is a fast Ro-Pax ferry operated by the Estonian ferry company Tallink. She was built at Aker Finnyards Helsinki Shipyard, Finland and entered service on Tallink's Helsinki–Tallinn service on 12 April 2007.

MS Star approaching Helsinki, April 2007
History
Name	Oscar Wilde (2023-present) Star (2007-May 2023)
Owner	Tallink
Operator	Irish ferries (May 2023-present) Tallink (2007-2023)
Port of registry	Tallinn,  Estonia
Route	Helsinki–Tallinn
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
In service	12 April 2007
Identification	Call sign: ESCJ IMO number: 9364722 MMSI number: 276672000
Status	In service
General characteristics
Type	Fast ropax ferry
Tonnage	36,249 GT 3,500 DWT
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	4 × MaK diesels combined 48,000 kW (64,000 hp)
Speed	27 kn (50.0 km/h; 31.1 mph)
Capacity	1,900 passengers 520 passenger beds 450 cars 2,000 lanemeters

Star was the first fast ferry capable of around-the-year service used on the Helsinki–Tallinn route.[1] The ship's design is heavily based on that of MS SeaFrance Rodin, built by Aker Finnyards for SeaFrance in 2001.[2] The green external livery of the ship is according to Tallink promotion material "meant to reflect the environmentally friendly aspects of the ship's design".[3]

Star has three daily departures from both Helsinki and Tallinn, with one crossing taking two hours. In Tallink marketing, Star has often been 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.[4]

During the COVID-19 outbreak crisis the ship was assigned[5] 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.

On April 6, 2023, Irish Ferries announced they were chartering the Star from Tallink for 20 months, with possible extensions of 2+2 years, and an eventual possibility of purchase. The ship will be renamed Oscar Wilde and will initially be positioned on the Rosslare-Pembroke Dock run, replacing the chartered Greek ferry Blue Star 1. [6][7]