The Megastar: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In the early hours of August 12, 2025, a significant incident unfolded aboard the ferry 'Megastar', operated by Tallink. A fire erupted from a bus situated on the vehicle deck shortly before the vessel was set to dock at Helsinki's West Terminal. Fortunately, the timely response from the Helsinki Rescue Department facilitated the safe evacuation of approximately 300 passengers. Despite the fire, operational services of the Megastar and the wider fleet of Tallink were not impacted. Authorities confirmed that there was no risk of the fire escalating, and thankfully, there were no injuries reported among the passengers. Preliminary assessments also indicated that there was no substantial damage beyond the vehicle involved in the incident.

On April 6, 2024, the passenger ferry 'Megastar' encountered a minor incident when it allided with a quay in Helsinki, largely due to unexpected strong wind gusts. Fortunately, the impact was so slight that most passengers remained unaware of the event. Initial assessments revealed that the vessel had only sustained minor damage. Following a thorough inspection, the 'Megastar' was cleared to continue its journey to Tallinn, departing at 3 p.m. with a delay of 1.5 hours.

In an exciting development for travelers between Helsinki and Tallinn, Tallink's new flagship vessel, Megastar, is preparing for its inaugural journey. Scheduled to set sail from West Harbour on January 29 at 16:30, the launch marks a significant addition to the popular route, as announced by the company in a recent press release. Initially, passengers will board and disembark at the existing West Terminal 1 (T1). However, with the impending completion of the new West Terminal 2 (T2), Megastar will transition to the advanced facility. T2 promises enhanced convenience for travelers, as it will also accommodate the Tallink Star and, starting in June, Eckerö Line's Finlandia. The construction of West Terminal 2 has progressed rapidly, with plans for it to be operational in phases and fully functional by the end of February. Originally slated for an April 2017 completion, the terminal will now open its doors ahead of schedule, significantly improving passenger flow with shorter walking distances to and from the vessels.

Wärtsilä has entered into a comprehensive five-year maintenance partnership with AS Tallink Grupp, focusing on the newly launched RoPax ferry, M/S Megastar, which operates the Tallinn – Helsinki route across the Gulf of Finland. The vessel, which began its service on January 29, 2017, showcases the cutting-edge technology of Wärtsilä's dual-fuel engines, primarily utilizing liquefied natural gas (LNG) to comply with stringent environmental regulations. This strategic agreement aims to optimize the operational performance of M/S Megastar, ensuring heightened availability and reliability while also enhancing financial predictability for Tallink. The scope of the service agreement includes Wärtsilä's innovative Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) solutions and online remote support, providing a robust framework for efficient and proactive vessel management.