Estonia, Port, Tourism, Transport

The Ionas departed from Virtsu at 9:30 p.m. and from Kuivastu at 10:45 p.m., operator Vainamere Liinid said.

A special timetable with a bigger number of departures applies on the Kuivastu-Virtsu route during the Midsummer week to enable smooth traffic for the masses wishing to spend the holiday on the islands, with the main ferry, PL Hiiumaa, supported by Mercandia and Ionas.

Booking statistics of Vainamere Liinid shows that people's movement from the mainland to the islands intensified already on the evening of June 21 and stepped-up intensity will continue until midday on June 24.

Movement in the opposite direction will keep intensifying from the afternoon of June 24 until reaching its peak on the afternoon of June 26.

The Estonian-flagged Ionas was introduced on the Kuivastu-Virtsu route last summer, after the operator transferred its newer ferries to operate a new service on the river Elbe in Germany.

Built in the UK in 1989, the ferry has a passenger capacity of 400 and a vehicle capacity of about 140 cars.