Estonian shipping company Tallink Grupp names its new liquefied natural gas (LNG) driven fast ferry Megastar at the Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku on July 1.

The process of completing the ship is now almost half way done after 18 months of design and production works, according to the CEO of AS Tallink Grupp, Janek Stalmeister, who said that the "ship as such is coming together."

The new environmentally friendly ferry is expected to join its owner's fleet at the beginning of 2017.

Featuring a length of 212 meters, the ferry will be able to accommodate 2800 passengers.

The 49,000 gross ton Megastar will use LNG as fuel, but will also be able to run on diesel.

Designed for the Tallinn-Helsinki route, Megastar will comply with the current and future emission regulations for the ECAs (Emission Control Area), including the Baltic Sea.