Finnjet to be scrapped in India

The Finnish car and passenger ferry Finnjet is to be dismantled for scrap metal.
      On Sunday, the ship, presently sailing under the name Kingdom, left the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah heading for Mumbai in India, where it will be taken apart, says US Shipbrokers on its website.
     
Built in 1976, the Finnjet sailed routes to and from Finland until 2005, when Silja Line gave it up.
      After that, the vessel served briefly as a temporary student dormitory for students in New Orleans who had been displaced by hurricane Katrina.
     
A number of Finnish local politicians made a last-ditch attempt to save the vessel last week.
      They had proposed converting it into a hotel ship in Espoo, but no buyer was found for the 600-cabin, 24,605 GRT former ferry, which still holds the speed-record for the fastest conventional passenger ferry.
      In its guise as a high-speed gas turbine ferry, Finnjet could deliver a top speed in excess of 33 knots.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnjet houses Katrina evacuees (12.12.2005)
  Group of Espoo town councillors would have city buy Finnjet (22.5.2008)
  Finnjet might not be scrapped after all (15.5.2008)
  GTS Finnjet headed for breakeŕs yard (7.5.2008)