Builders Fincantieri Completed 4 | In service 1997–present Active 4 | |
 | ||
Operators Sea Containers Ltd (former)
Aegean Speed Lines (2007-)
Arab Bridge Maritime (2007-)
Acciona Trasmediterránea (2005-)
Hellenic Seaways (2007-) Displacement 3,971 GT (MDV1200)
4,463 GT (MDV1200II) | ||
The MDV 1200 class fast ferry is a class of six vessels built for by Fincantieri in Italy. Four of these vessels were for Sea Containers, with the other two vessels being for Ocean Bridge Investments.
History
The MDV1200 craft were built for Ocean Bridge Investments, and were delivered in 1996 (Pegasus One) and 1997 (Pegasus Two) respectively.
The MDV1200II craft were built for Sea Containers. The first two craft (SuperSeaCat One and SuperSeaCat Two) were delivered in 1997, the third and fourth craft (SuperSeaCat Three and SuperSeaCat Four) followed in 1999.
Originally built for operating on the English Channel, the venture was operated by Hoverspeed. The SuperSeaCat operation didn't last on the Channel, as in 1998 the SuperSeaCat Two went on operations with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for a year. The following year the SuperSeaCat Three operated for the Steam Packet, undertaking her Maiden Voyage with the company between Liverpool and Dublin.
Since then, the SuperSeaCat One, Three and Four operated for Silja Line. In 2003, the SuperSeaCat Two went on a long-term charter to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. In 2005, the first of the quartet, the SuperSeaCat One, was sold to Acciona Trasmediterránea, as the Almudaina Dos.
It was revealed in 2008 that Sea Containers Ltd had sold the SuperSeaCat Three and Four to Aegean Speed Lines, who operate the two ships on their usual Helsinki-Tallinn route. It was also revealed in 2008 that the SuperSeaCat Two would operate as the Viking for the remainder of her charter to the Steam Packet. In 2009, the Viking was sold to Hellenic Seaways and renamed Hellenic Wind.