Visa-free cruises from the port of Hamina to Vyborg in Russia will commence in the second week of August. The Namdalingen catamaran ferry, which will transport people to Vyborg and back, arrived in Hamina from Norway just a couple of weeks ago, YLE reports.

The ship has been undergoing official certification before it enters service. The boat’s owners have also had to translate all signs and safety instructions translated into Russian, Finnish and English.

The managing director of Hamina Risteilyt Oy, Jarmo Ahonen, says that visa-free travel attracts strong interest in both Finland and Russia. The vessel will ply the route between Vyborg and Hamina from Tuesday to Sunday. Operations will continue into the autumn for as long as the weather conditions allow, before breaking for the winter.

For the time being, the ship will have a Norwegian crew. The vessel is 27.5 metres long, was built in 2000 and has space for 139 passengers.