MS Baltic Star

Baltic Star as Birger Jarl at Skeppsbron, Stockholm
History
Name
  • 1953–1973: SS Birger Jarl
  • 1973–1977: SS Bore Nord
  • 1978–1982: SS Baltic Star
  • 1982–2002: MS Baltic Star
  • 2002-2020: MS Birger Jarl
  • 2020-present: MS Baltic Star
Owner
  • 1953–1973: Rederi AB Svea
  • 1973–1977: Jakob Lines
  • 1977: Steamship Company Bore
  • 1977–1978: Minicarriers
  • 1978–2002: Caribbean Shipping Company
  • 2002–2005: Rederi AB Allandia
  • 2005-2020: Rederi Birger Jarl AB
  • 2020 onwards: Rederi Hotell Fartyget BJ AB
Operator
  • 1953–1970: Rederi AB Svea
  • 1970–1973: Silja Line
  • 1973–1977: Jakob Lines
  • 1978–2002: Ånedin Linjen
Port of registry
RouteStockholm—Mariehamn (as of 2009)
BuilderFinnboda varv, Nacka, Sweden
Yard number351
Launched15 January 1953
Christened15 January 1953 by Margit Hagander
Completed1953
Acquired4 June 1953
Maiden voyage1953
In service9 June 1953
IdentificationIMO number: 5044893
StatusIn service
General characteristics (as built, 1953)
Typepassenger liner
Tonnage
Length92.50 m (303 ft 6 in)
Beam14.28 m (46 ft 10 in)
Draught5.50 m (18 ft 1 in)
Ice class1 B
Installed powerQuadruple steam engine with exhaust steam turbo compressor, 3,300 hk
Propulsion1 propeller
Speed15 knots (27.78 km/h; 17.26 mph)
Capacity
  • 600 passengers
  • 252 passenger berths
  • 30 cars (lo-lo)
General characteristics (as rebuilt, 1989)
Typecruise ship
Tonnage
Installed powerMANB&W 4SA diesel engine, 2,795 kW
Speed15.50 knots (28.71 km/h; 17.84 mph)
Capacity
  • 369 passengers
  • 369 passenger berths

MS Baltic Star is a cruise ship owned by Rederi Hotell Fartyget BJ AB that was operated on services between Stockholm, Sweden and Helsinki, Turku and most recently Mariehamn on Åland (Finland). She was built in 1953 as a passenger liner at Finnboda shipyard in Nacka, Sweden as SS Birger Jarl for Rederi AB Svea. In 1973 she was sold to Jakob Lines, was renamed SS Bore Nord and converted into a ferry. In 1978 she was bought back by the Ånedin Line (named after the 1970s British TV series The Onedin Line, also popular in Sweden) and was renamed SS Baltic Star. In 1982 the ship's original steam engines were replaced by diesel engines; the ship's prefix hence altered to MS. In 1989 the engines were again replaced by new diesels. In 2002 the ship reverted to the name Birger Jarl, and in 2020 back to the Baltic Star name.