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Tag: Golden Star Ferries | Ferry Shipping News

Oct 18
2

Royal Inauguration of the New Lock at Terneuzen

By | 2024 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

On 11 October 2024, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Philippe of Belgium jointly inaugurated the New Lock in Terneuzen, marking a significant milestone for cross-border cooperation between the Netherlands and Belgium. This new sea lock, one of the largest in the world, will enhance maritime access between the North Sea and the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal, reducing waiting times for vessels and boosting economic activity in the Zeeland Flanders and Flanders regions.

The lock is expected to handle increasing traffic, with ship passages projected to grow from 56,000 in 2023 to 96,000 by 2040. The opening ceremony, held aboard the electric ship Z9, included interactions with representatives of companies using the lock, as well as a tour of the control centre where local residents and lock employees shared insights into its operations.

Photo: North Sea Port

Oct 18
2

Golden Star Ferries’ ANDROS KING Arrived in Greece

By | 2024 Newsletter week 42 | No Comments

On the afternoon of 11 October 2024, the latest acquisition of Golden Star Ferries, ANDROS KING (ex-VOLCAN DE TABURIENTE), arrived in Greece from Las Palmas. The ship was led to Neos Molos (Drapetsona) for further refit and conversion to meet the Hellenic Coastal Shipping Standards. She will enhance Golden Star Ferries’ presence within the Greek ferry scene.

Up to now, the Andros-based ferry company operates two conventional ferries (SUPERFERRY, ANDROS QUEEN) plus one high-speed craft (SUPER EXPRESS) on the classic Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Mykonos route. It is also the owner of the high-speed craft GOLDEN PRINCESS (ex-GOTLANDIA II), purchased from Gotland Rederi in 2023 but still inactive. ANDROS KING will be their third conventional vessel and one of the newest ferries within the Hellenic Coastal fleet. She was built in Spain in 2006. Her capacity is for 1,500 passengers and 310 cars (1,200 lane metres), and she can operate at 22.5 knots.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Oct 04
2

Volcán de Taburiente Delivered to Golden Star Ferries

By | 2024 Newsletter week 39 | No Comments

On 27 September 2024, the Spanish ferry operator Armas delivered Volcán de Taburiente to the Greek-based Golden Star Ferries. The ship was officially purchased in July 2024 and is currently moored at Las Palmas. She is expected to depart for Greece by the end of the week. Renamed Andros King, she will be refitted and converted to meet the Hellenic Coastal Shipping Standards.

She was built in Spain in 2006 and has a carrying capacity of 1,500 passengers and 310 cars (1,200 lane metres), while being able to sail at 22.5 knots.

Photo: Golden Star Ferries

Jul 26
2

Golden Star Ferries acquires ARMAS’ Volcan de Taburiente

By | 2024 Newsletter week 30 | No Comments

On July 22, 2024, Greece-based Golden Star Ferries officially announced the purchase of the RoPax Volcan de Taburiente that belonged to the Spanish Navieras Armas. The ship was sold for over EUR 20 million (exclusively with Golden Star Capitals) and will be delivered in Q3. 

According to the information, she will be renamed Andros King and is expected to serve probably on the morning departure from Rafina to Andros-Tinos-Mykonos.  

Upon adaptation for Greek conditions (in Perama), the ferry will offer passenger cabins, escalators, lounges, airplane-style seats, shops, and spacious common areas. 

Jun 23
0

Sea trials for the Golden Star Ferries ANDROS QUEEN

By | 2023 Newsletter week 25 | No Comments

On June 18, 2023 Golden Star Ferries flagship ANDROS QUEEN (ex SILVER QUEEN) underwent her sea trials successfully in the Saronic Gulf.

The ship managed to steam at 23 knots.

According to the latest information, the ship is expected to leave Perama Repair Zone for the Port of Rafina until June 25, while she will make her debut on the Rafina – Andros -Tinos – Mykonos line on June 30.

ANDROS QUEEN was built in Japan in 1998.

Her carrying capacity is for 1,400 passengers and 360 private cars, while her service speed is 21 knots.

Photo: Golden Star Ferries

Apr 28
0

HSC GOTLANDIA II will be delivered to Golden Star Ferries on May 10

By | 2023 Newsletter week 17 | No Comments

Greece-based Golden Star Ferries has already sent crew to Sweden (Visby) for the delivery of its latest acquisition, HSC GOTLANDIA II.

The ship was purchased on April 2, 2023, and will be renamed GOLDEN PRINCESS. She is expected to arrive in Greece at the end of May, while she will probably be introduced in the Hellenic Coastal Shipping during summer season of 2024, as she has to undergo a few upgrades and modifications first.

The 122m ship was built in 2006, is the fourth ship of Golden Star Ferries and among the newest high-speed crafts of her category in Greece.

Mar 10
0

Andros Queen conversion nearly complete

By | 2023 Newsletter week 10 | No Comments

The major conversion of the Golden Star Ferries’ latest acquisition ANDROS QUEEN (former SILVER QUEEN) into a luxury day ferry is in full progress.

The ship has been at Perama Repair Zone since April 2022 and is expected to be completed by May.

ANDROS QUEEN is due to be introduced on the Rafina – Andros-Tinos-Mykonos line at the beginning of June. The cost of her impressive conversion, according to her operator, is EUR 20-25 million.

Photo: Kostas Papadopoulos

Nov 25
0

Golden Star Ferries’ ropax ANDROS QUEEN will be introduced April 2023

By | 2022 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

According to Golden Star Ferries, their latest acquisition ANDROS QUEEN will join the Hellenic Coastal Shipping in April 2023.

The ship was purchased from Japan on March 2022 and is currently undergoing a large-scale conversion into a luxury day ferry at the Perama repair zone.

When ready, ANDROS QUEEN will have a capacity for 1,400 passengers (106 beds) and 380 cars or 70 trucks. Speed 21.5 knots.

The ship will fly the Greek flag in January 2023. She will be introduced on the evening sailings on Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Mykonos, in April.

Photo: Golden Star Ferries

Jun 09
0

Golden Star Ferries’ ANDROS QUEEN is undergoing a large-scale conversion

By | 2022 Newsletter week 23 | No Comments

The latest acquisition of Golden Star Ferries from Japan, ANDROS QUEEN, is currently undergoing a conversion into a luxury RoPax ferry at the Perama repair zone.

The ship is expected to stay there for the next 8 months, and she will be reformed by 70%. The overall cost of her conversion is expected to exceed the EUR 20 million and will include a complete engine refit, interior remodeling, and external conversion (mainly aft).

The ship is expected to be ready at the beginning of 2023 and will be probably introduced on the Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Mykonos line.

Apr 14
4

Golden Star Ferries’ ANDROS QUEEN arrived in Greece

By | 2022 Newsletter week 15 | No Comments

On April 12, 2022, Golden Star Ferries’ new acquisition ANDROS QUEEN (former SILVER QUEEN) arrived at the port of Piraeus, following a 28-day journey from Japan.

The ship was purchased from Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen (Silver Ferry) on February 9, 2022 and delivered on March 9. She will be converted at Perama repair zone and expected to be ready for service on early 2023, possibly on the Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Mykonos line.

This photo and more photos on voyagair.shipspotting (Christos Chatzaras on Instagram)