Tallink Ferry Postcards

This page is devoted to postcards of companies which have operated car ferry services out of Estonia. Their histories are interlinked, and so they are all covered on the one page, with an index on this link. An alphabetical list of ships covered on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to complete postcard history pages on selected individual ships. Below the table are official postcards of the fleet in alphabetical order.

In Soviet days the Estonian Shipping Company (ESCO) operated a service between Helsinki and Tallinn with the Georg Ots, which carried the standard Soviet funnel colours with the "hammer & sickle" emblem. In 1989, as Soviet influence declined, the ESCO purchased the SeaEscape ship Scandinavia Sky, and chartered her to a new company Tallink. The ship was renamed Tallink. The Georg Ots was also chartered to Tallink from 1994, and remained in the fleet until 2000. The ESCO continued to exist, and remained a major shareholder in Tallink, through the company Hansatee (many postcards have the logo Hansatee-Tallink). In the early 1990s, Hansatee was owned 45% by ESCO, and 45% by Inreko (10% others). In 2001, the major shareholders in Hansatee were listed as 50.38% Infortar, and 24.88% Union Bank of Estonia.

Estline was formed by the Swedish company Nordström & Thulin to operate services between Stockholm and Tallinn. The original funnel livery, as carried by Nord Estonia, had the initials N&T at the top. Nordström & Thulin also operated the services to Gotland for some years. Nordström & Thulin eventually pulled out of passenger ship operations following the Estonia disaster. The ESCO also had a financial interest in Estline, which eventually merged operations with Tallink, all ships receiving the Tallink livery. The 2002 routes operated by the combined group are shown below:- The 2002 routes operated by the combined Tallink group are shown below:- In November 2006 Tallink acquired Silja Line and crested Finnish/Swedish subsidiaries Tallink Silja OY and Tallink Silja AB. The parent company is AS Tallink Grupp. Ships of the two companies have been switched about regularly since although both marketing names have been maintained. The expanded 2013 routes operated by the combined Tallink/Silja group are shown below:-

Ferry Companies on This Page:-
Estline
Estonian Shipping Company
Tallink Ferries
Tallink Fast Ferries
Tallink Fleet Postcards

Ships on This Page:-
Auto Express I/II - Tallink (no postcards yet)
Baltic Kristina - Estline
Baltic Kristina - Tallink
Baltic Princess - Tallink/Silja Line
Corbiere - Tallink
Estonia - Estline
Fantaasia - Tallink
Georg Ots - ESCO
Georg Ots - Tallink
Mare Balticum - Estline
Meloodia - Tallink
Neptunia - Estline
Nord Estonia - Estline
Nord Neptunus - Estline
Normandy - Tallink
Regina Baltica - Tallink
Regina Baltica - Estline
Romantika - Tallink
Tallink - Tallink
Tallink Express - Tallink
Thor Heyerdahl - Estline (chartered to Larvik Line)
Vana Tallinn - Tallink
Victoria I - Tallink

Associated Pages:-
Eckerö Lines Gotlandslinjen
Silja Line
Stockholms Rederi AB Svea
Viking Line - Page 1 - Viking Line Ships 1959-1978
www.tallink.ee - Official Tallink Webpage (with Fleet Lists)
Ferry Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page

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powered by FreeFind Table of Complete Postcard Histories Name Other names Built Corbiere Apollo, Olau Kent, Gelting Nord, Benodet 1970 Baltic Kristina Bore I - Skandia - Stena Baltica - Ilich - Anastasia V - Windward Pride 1973 Estonia Viking Sally, Silja Star, Wasa King 1980 Fantaasia Turella, Stena Nordica, Lion King 1979 Mare Balticum Diana II, Meloodia 1979 Meloodia Diana II, Mare Balticum 1979 Nord Estonia Dana Regina, Thor Heyerdahl, Vana Tallinn 1974 Normandy Prinsessan Birgitta (2), St Nicholas, Stena Normandy 1981 Tallink Svea Regina, Regina, Odysseus Elytis, Scandinavian Sky, Tallink 1972 Vana Tallinn Dana Regina, Nord Estonia, Thor Heyerdahl 1974 ESCO (Estonian Shipping Company)

In Soviet days the Estonian Shipping Company (ESCO) operated a service between Helsinki and Tallinn with the Georg Ots, which carried the standard Soviet funnel colours with the "hammer & sickle" emblem. In 1989, as Soviet influence declined, ESCO purchased the SeaEscape ship Scandinavia Sky, and chartered her to a new company Tallink. The ship was renamed Tallink. The Georg Ots was also chartered to Tallink from 1994, and remained in the fleet until 2000. The Estonian Shipping Company continued to exist, and remained a major shareholder in Tallink, through the company Hansatee (many postcards have the logo Hansatee-Tallink). In the early 1990s, Hansatee was owned 45% by ESCO, and 45% by Inreko (10% others). In 2001, the major shareholders in Hansatee were listed as 50.38% Infortar, and 24.88% Union Bank of Estonia. Georg Ots(ESCO: 1980-93)
Georg Ots was built for the Estonian Shipping Company (ESCO) in 1980. She was the first of a series of Polish-built car ferry/cruise ships supplied to the Soviet shipping operators. From 1994 Georg Ots was chartered to Tallink, which was 45% owned by the ESCO at this time. Official Estonian Shipping Company card of Georg Ots. Official Estonian Shipping Company card of Georg Ots. Official Estonian Shipping Company card of Georg Ots. Official Estonian Shipping Company card of Georg Ots. Tallink
Tallink began operations with the ferry of the same name, when in 1989 the Estonian Shipping Company purchased the SeaEscape ship Scandinavia Sky, and chartered her to a new company Tallink which it formed to operate her. Tallink is the operating name of the comapny Hansatee, which in the early 1990s was 45% owned by Estonian Shipping Company. In 2001, the major shareholders in Hansatee were listed as 50.38% Infortar, and 24.88% Union Bank of Estonia.

Tallink (Tallink: 1989-96)
The Tallink was built as the Svea Regina for Stockholms Rederi AB Svea in 1972, one of a series of sisterships owned by different companies, but operated under the Silja Line banner between Stockholm and Helsinki. She was displaced by newer and larger tonnage in 1978, and operated in Greek waters as Mediterranean Sun and Odysseas Elytis until 1985, when she passed to SeaEscape in the Bahamas. They ran her as the Scandinavia Sky, between Port Canaveral and the Bahamas until 1989, when the Estonian Shipping Company (ESCO) purchased her, and chartered her to a new company Tallink which it formed to operate as the Tallink. She was withdrawn in 1996, and in 2001 was listed as the El Tor, serving on a route between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. There is a complete history of this ship available on this link. This is an official Tallink postcard of Tallink (Niklas serial number 392). This is a later official Tallink postcard of Tallink (Niklas serial number 756). This is an official Tallink postcard of Tallink (no serial number). Chantry Classics postcard CC/S242 of Tallink. Georg Ots (Tallink: 1994-2000)
Georg Ots was built for the Estonian Shipping Company (ESCO) in 1980. She was the first of a series of Polish-built car ferry/cruise ships supplied to the Soviet shipping operators. From 1994-2000 Georg Ots was chartered to Tallink, which was 45% owned by ESCO at this time. An official Tallink postcard of Georg Ots (Niklas serial number 393). Official Tallink postcard of Georg Ots (Niklas serial number 758). A Gemmani postcard of Tallinn ferry terminal, showing Georg Ots plus the small fast ferry Sukkola. Sukkola was operated by Trans Baltic Line for 3 months in 1994, between Tallinn and Helsinki. In 2001, Sukkola operated as Sea Shuttle I on the Air France Nice-St Tropez service. Tallink postcard of Georg Ots, showing the later red/blue livery. Scan: Mikael Blomberg. Tallink postcard of Georg Ots, showing the later red/blue livery. Corbiere (Tallink: 1994)
Corbiere ran for Tallink under charter in 1994. She was originally the Apollo of Viking Line, built 1970. She then served as Olau Kent and Gelting Nord before becoming Benodet for Brittany Ferries. She entered service with Channel Island Ferries on 28th March 1985 as the Corbiere, linking Portsmouth to Jersey and Guernsey. In 1991 she was sold to Ecker� Linjen, and started a new service between Helsinki and Tallinn for Estonia New Line. For 1994 only, this service was run by Tallink, as shown in the postcard below. In 2001 she remained in service in Labrador under her original name Apollo. A complete history of this ship is available on this link This is Simplon Postcards sp1213, released October 1995. The photo is by Philippe Holthof at Helsinki. Vana Tallinn (Tallink: 1994- )
Vana Tallinn was built as the DFDS ferry Dana Regina in 1974, one of the finest ferries in the world at the time of her completion. She served on the Harwich-Esbjerg route until 1983, when she moved to the Copenhagen-Oslo service. In 1990 she was sold to Nordström & Thulin of Sweden for their Stockholm-Tallinn service marketed as Estline. She was renamed Nord Estonia. In 1992 she was chartered to Larvik Line as Thor Heyerdahl. Between 1994-6 she operated as Vana Tallinn under charter to Tallink, and the official Tallink postcard is shown below. In 1998 she was purchased by Tallink. A complete history of this ship is available on this link. Official Tallink postcard, printed by Niklas, Serial Number 718. An official Tallink postcard of Vana Tallinn. An official Tallink postcard of Vana Tallinn, following purchase in 1998. An official Tallink postcard of Vana Tallinn, following purchase in 1998. Meloodia (Tallink: 1996- )
Meloodia was built in 1979 as Diana II for Rederi AB Slite, part of the Viking Line consortium. She was sold in 1992 and chartered to TT-Line for their Trelleborg-Rostock service (marketed as TR-Line). In 1994 she was sold again and chartered to Estlines as Mare Balticum. In 1996 she was chartered to Tallink and renamed Meloodia.
A complete history of this ship is available on this link. Official Tallink card of Meloodia. Produced by Niklas Vykort AB 809. Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg. Official Hansatee-Tallink card of Meloodia. Official Tallink card of Meloodia. Produced by Niklas Vykort AB 854. Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg. Morgan postcard of Tallinn, showing Meloodia and Vana Tallinn. Official Hansatee-Tallink card of the "pub" on Meloodia. Fantaasia (Tallink: 1997- )
Fantaasia was built in 1979 as Turella for SF Line, part of the Viking Line consortium. She was sold in 1988 to Stena Line, and served as Stena Nordica and Lion King. She was bought by Tallink in 1997 and renamed Fantaasia.
Official Hansatee-Tallink card of Fantaasia. Official Hansatee-Tallink card of Fantaasia. Official Hansatee-Tallink card of Fantaasia. Regina Baltica (Tallink: 2000- )
Regina Baltica was built in 1980 as Viking Song for Red.AB Sally, part of the Viking Line consortium. She was sold in 1985 to Fred Olsen, and served as Braemar. In 1991 she was chartered to the Baltic Shipping Company to start a service between Kiel and St Petersburg. This service ceased in 1996, and she was bought by a company jointly owned by Nordström & Thulin and Estline, for use by Estline as Regina Baltica. In 2000 the charter transferred to Tallink.
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.

Tallink official postcard of Regina Baltica. Baltic Kristina(Tallink: 2000-2002)

Baltic Kristina was ordered by Oy Siljavarustamo/Ab Silja Rederiet (Silja Line) in 1969. In 1971 the contracted was taken over by Höyrylaiva Oy Bore/Ångfartygs Ab Bore (Bore Line), and she was completed as Bore I in 1973 by Oy Wärtsilä Ab. She operated on the Silja Line services between Åbo-Mariehamn-Stockholm and also Helsinki-Stockholm. In 1980 Bore I was sold to Suomen Höyrylaiva Oy/Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FAÅ) and renamed Skandia, remaining on the same Silja Line route. In 1983, Skandia was sold to Stena Line, and renamed Stena Baltica, before a rapid sale to the Baltic Shipping Corporation (Leningrad) and renaming as Ilich. She operated a route from Stockholm to Leningrad (later renamed St Petersburg) and also Stockholm-Riga. Ilich was sold in 1996 to a Maltese company, becoming the Anastasia V, and then again to Windward Venture Shipping in 1997 as the Windward Pride, intended for a service between Barbados and Venezuela. In October 1997 she became the Baltic Kristina in service with Estline and until 2000, and then Tallink. Since 2002 she has been chartered to Riga Sea Line for a Riga-Stockholm service.

There is a complete history of this ship on this link. Baltic Kristina in Tallink service. Photo: © Miran Hamidulla, 2nd January 2002. Scan: Fakta om Fartyg. Normandy (Tallink charter: 1997)
Normandy was originally ordered by Sessan Line for their Gothenburg-Frederikshavn service. Sessan Line was taken over by Stena Line, and the ship was chartered to Sealink for use on Harwich-Hook of Holland service as the St Nicholas. In 1989 she was sold to Rederi AB Gotland, but remained in Sealink service. In 1990, Sealink was taken over by Stena Line AB. St Nicholas was transferred to a new Southampton-Cherbourg service as the Stena Normandy in 1991. This route closed in 1996, and Tallink took her on charter in 1997 as the Normandy. Irish Ferries took Normandy on charter for their Ireland-France services in 1998, retaining the (appropriate) name. Normandy was purchased by Irish Ferries in 1999, and continues to operate on this service.
A complete history of this ship is available on this link. Official Tallink card of Normandy.Produced by Niklas Vykort AB 811. Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg. Romantika (Tallink: 2002- )
The impressive cruise-ferry Romantika was built by Aker Finnyards, Finland in 2002 for the Helsinki-Tallinn route. She is 40000gross tons, 189.9m in length, and carries 2500 passengers (2250 berths) and 1000 lanemetres of vehicles.
Photograph by Johan Snellman of Romantika under construction Aker Finnyards, Finland Tallink/Aker Finnyards invitation (front) to the naming of Romantika on 14/12/2001. Tallink/Aker Finnyards invitation (inside) to the naming of Romantika. Tallink/Aker Finnyards invitation (enlarged view of data) to the naming of Romantika. An official Tallink postcard of Romantika. Photograph of Romantika, 21st May 2002. Photo: © Miran Hamidulla. Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se Photograph of Romantika. Photo: © Marko Stampehl. Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se Photograph of Romantika. Photo: © Miran Hamidulla. Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se Photograph of Romantika, 1st April 2004. Photo: © Miran Hamidulla. Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se Photograph of Romantika, 17th May 2004. Photo: © Miran Hamidulla. Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se Victoria I (Tallink: 2004- )
A sistership to Romantika the Victoria I, was delivered by Aker Finnyards, Finland in 2004 for the Stockholm-Mariehamn-Tallinn route. She is 40000gross tons, 189.9m in length, and carries 2500 passengers (2250 berths) and 1000 lanemetres of vehicles. Tallink/Aker Finnyards invitation (front) to the naming of Victoria I on 16/10/2003. Tallink/Aker Finnyards invitation (front) to the naming of Victoria I on 16/10/2003. Tallink/Aker Finnyards invitation (front) to the naming of Victoria I on 16/10/2003. Photograph of Victoria I, Helsinki 20th March 2004. Photo: © Miran Hamidulla. Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se Photograph of Victoria I, Lidingöbro Värdshus 12th April 2004. Photo: © Micke Asklander. Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se Galaxy (Tallink/Silja: 2006- ) 48915grt - 22k - 212.0m long - 2800 pax - 300 cars Baltic Queen was built by STX Europe, Rauma, in 2009. It has operated on the Tallinn-Mariehamn-Stockholm route, with periods on Stockholm-L�ngn�s-�bo. Sister ships are Baltic Princess and Baltic Queen No images available yet Baltic Princess (Tallink/Silja: 2008- ) 48300grt - 24.5k - 212.0m long - 2800 pax - 300 cars Baltic Princess was built by Aker Yards, Helsinki, in 2008. A large part of the hull was built at St Nazaire, France. In 2008 it replaced Galaxy on the Helsinki-Tallinn route. Since February 2002 Baltic Princess has run on the �bo-L�ngn�s/Mariehamn-Stockholm route. Sister ships are Galaxy and Baltic Queen Baltic Princess of Tallink/Silja Line Photo: � Ian Boyle, 31st May 2013 Baltic Queen (Tallink/Silja: 2009- ) 48300grt - 24.5k - 212.0m long - 2800 pax - 300 cars Baltic Queen was built by STX Europe, Rauma, in 2009. It has operated on the Tallinn-Mariehamn-Stockholm route, with periods on Stockholm-L�ngn�s-�bo. Sister ships are Baltic Princess and Galaxy No images available yet Tallink Fast Ferry Postcards Tallink Express I (Tallink: 1999- ) Tallink Express I was built by Fjellstrand in 1989. She previously served as Sleipner before sale to Hansatee in 1999. Auto Express I/II I do not have postcards of these fast ferries yet. If you can assist please email: simplon@simplon.co.uk Photograph of Auto Express II. Scan: Timo Savostkin Tallink Fleet Postcards Estline Nord Estonia (Estline: 1990-1994)
Nord Estonia was built as the DFDS ferry Dana Regina in 1974, one of the finest ferries in the world at the time of her completion. She served on the Harwich-Esbjerg route until 1983, when she moved to the Copenhagen-Oslo service. In 1990 she was sold to Nordström & Thulin of Sweden for their Stockholm-Tallinn service marketed as Estline. She was renamed Nord Estonia, and the official Estline postcard is shown below. In 1992 she was chartered to Larvik Line as Thor Heyerdahl. Between 1994-6 she operated as VanaTallinn under charter to Tallink. In 1998 she was purchased by Tallink. A complete history of this ship is available on this link. Official Estline postcard of Nord Estonia. This is Ramsey Postcards release 41, of Nord Estonia, using a photo by Philip Cone. In 1992 Nord Estonia was chartered to Larvik Line as Thor Heyerdahl. This is Simplon Postcards release sp1158, issued October 1993, using a photo by Jimmy Poole. Estonia (Estline: 1994)
Estonia was delivered in 1980 as the Viking Sally, having been originally ordered by Viking Line partner SF Line. She later served as Silja Star for Silja Line, and Wasa King for Wasa Line, before becoming Estline's Estonia in 1992. This allowed Nord Estonia to be chartered to Larvik Line as Thor Heyerdahl. Estonia was lost in heavy seas in the early hours of 28th September 1994, whilst on passage from Tallinn to Stockholm.
A complete history of this ship is available on this link. Official Estline postcard of Estonia. Postcard of Estonia. Scan: Mikael Blomberg. CT Publishing postcard No.077 of Estonia at Stockholm, in a photo by Rickard Sahlsten. Nord Neptunus - Neptunia
Nord Neptunus was built for Stena Line as Stena Topper in 1977, but was soon sold to James Fisher who chartered her to Sealink for Stranraer-Larne service as Darnia. In 1982, passenger capacity was increased to 412 when additional accommodation was added to the upper decks. In 1991 she was sold to Nordström & Thulin who renamed her Nord Neptunus and used her on their Estline and Gotlandslinjen routes. She was also chartered to TT-Line. In 1997 she was acquired by Estline partner Estonian Shipping Company (ESCO) and renamed Neptunia, initially as a ro-pax ship on Stockholm-Tallinn, but later in freight-only mode. In 2000 she was chartered to Falcon Marfreight for service between Folkestone and Boulogne.
Official Nordström & Thulin postcard of Nord Neptunus. Viktor Salmre postcard of the renamed Neptunia (ex-Nord Neptunus) in Tallinn. Mare Balticum
(Estline: 1994-1996)
Mare Balticum was built in 1979 as Diana II for Rederi AB Slite, part of the Viking Line consortium. She was sold in 1992 and chartered to TT-Line for their Trelleborg-Rostock service (marketed as TR-Line). In 1994 she was sold again and chartered to Estlines as Mare Balticum. In 1996 she was chartered to Tallink and renamed Meloodia.
A complete history of this ship is available on this link. Official Estline postcard of Mare Balticum. Regina Baltica (Estline: 1996-2000)
Regina Baltica was built in 1980 as Viking Song for Rederi AB Sally, part of the Viking Line consortium. She was sold in 1985 to Fred Olsen, and served as Braemar. In 1991 she was chartered to the Baltic Shipping Company to start a service between Kiel and St Petersburg as Anna Karenina. This service ceased in 1996, and she was bought by a company jointly owned by Nordström & Thulin and Estline, for use by Estline as Regina Baltica. In 2000 the charter transferred to Tallink.
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
Official Estline postcard of Regina Baltica. Baltic Kristina (Estline: 1997-2000)

Baltic Kristina was ordered by Oy Siljavarustamo/Ab Silja Rederiet (Silja Line) in 1969. In 1971 the contracted was taken over by Höyrylaiva Oy Bore/Ångfartygs Ab Bore (Bore Line), and she was completed as Bore I in 1973 by Oy Wärtsilä Ab. She operated on the Silja Line services between Åbo-Mariehamn-Stockholm and also Helsinki-Stockholm. In 1980 Bore I was sold to Suomen Höyrylaiva Oy/Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FAÅ) and renamed Skandia, remaining on the same Silja Line route. In 1983, Skandia was sold to Stena Line, and renamed Stena Baltica, before a rapid sale to the Baltic Shipping Corporation (Leningrad) and renaming as Ilich. She operated a route from Stockholm to Leningrad (later renamed St Petersburg) and also Stockholm-Riga. Ilich was sold in 1996 to a Maltese company, becoming the Anastasia V, and then again to Windward Venture Shipping in 1997 as the Windward Pride, intended for a service between Barbados and Venezuela. In October 1997 she became the Baltic Kristina in service with Estline and until 2000, and then Tallink. Since 2002 she has been chartered to Riga Sea Line for a Riga-Stockholm service.
There is a complete history of this ship on this link. Official Estline postcard of Baltic Regina. Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg. Enlarged image from the postcard of Baltic Regina above.Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg. Eckerö Line - Eestin Linjat - Gotlandslinjen - Viking Line - Ferry Postcards Top of Page - Simplon Postcards Recent Updates - Simplon Postcards Home Page �1999-2013 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site) All Rights Reserved

Name	Other names	Built
Corbiere	Apollo, Olau Kent, Gelting Nord, Benodet	1970
Baltic Kristina	Bore I - Skandia - Stena Baltica - Ilich - Anastasia V - Windward Pride	1973
Estonia	Viking Sally, Silja Star, Wasa King	1980
Fantaasia	Turella, Stena Nordica, Lion King	1979
Mare Balticum	Diana II, Meloodia	1979
Meloodia	Diana II, Mare Balticum	1979
Nord Estonia	Dana Regina, Thor Heyerdahl, Vana Tallinn	1974
Normandy	Prinsessan Birgitta (2), St Nicholas, Stena Normandy	1981
Tallink	Svea Regina, Regina, Odysseus Elytis, Scandinavian Sky, Tallink	1972
Vana Tallinn	Dana Regina, Nord Estonia, Thor Heyerdahl	1974