The latest acquisition of the Greek based Kerkyra Seaways, the double-ended ferry HARDINGE, left the Norwegian port of Sandnes on January 30, 2024 and she is expected to arrive in Greece on February 15.
She was sold to Kerkyra Seaways along with her sister-ship MØYSALEN and both are expected to serve on the Igoumenitsa-Corfu line.
Kerkyra Seaways is also the buyer of the Norwegian double-ended ferry HARDINGEN from Boreal Sjø.
The ship has been laid up at the port of Sandnes since April 2023 and was sold along with her sister-ship MØYSALEN to the ferry operator in Corfu, who plans to replace her previous vessel HERMES – which was recently sold to the Croatian Jadrolinija – with two new vessels.
HARDINGEN is expected to be delivered in January 2024.
Both ships will undergo conversion at the Perama repair zone and are expected to enter service on the Igoumenitsa-Corfu route in the summer of 2024.
HARDINGEN has been renamed HARTINGE and now flies the flag of St. Vincent, while MØYSALEN will be renamed HERMES after her predecessor.
She was originally built in Norway in 1993 (Slipen Mekaniske Verksted AS) and has a capacity for 399 passengers and 104 cars or 10 trucks.
According to recent information, Kerkyra Seaways is the buyer of the Norwegian double-ended ferry MØYSALEN from Boreal Sjø. The ship departed from the port of Mekjarvik on December 13 and is expected to arrive at the port of Piraeus on December 28.
Built in Norway in 1993 (Johan Drage A/S, Rognan), MØYSALEN previously operated on the Sandnessjøen – Dønnastedene line. It was laid up in Sandnessjøen in 2023.
The vessel will undergo conversion before joining the Hellenic coastal shipping, likely serving on the Igoumenitsa-Corfu line. MØYSALEN has a capacity for 380 passengers and 104 cars or 10 trucks (18m), and its cruising speed is 13.6 knots.
Photos: Wikipedia
Anes Ferrys’ PROTEUS is set to take over the Igoumenitsa-Corfu-Paxoi ferry route, replacing Kerkyra Seaways’ former vessel, HERMES. The latter recently changed ownership, being acquired by the Croatian company Jadrolinija and renamed VELA LUKA.
PROTEUS will be operating on a short-term charter for approximately four months on the aforementioned route until Kerkyra Seaways introduces a new vessel to replace her.
Having concluded its services on the Evia (Mandoudi) – Sporades route last April, PROTEUS brings a rich history, being constructed in Greece back in 1973. With a capacity to accommodate 372 passengers and 110 cars, PROTEUS is well-equipped to provide a seamless and efficient ferry service along the Igoumenitsa-Corfu-Paxoi line during this transitional period.
Keep an eye out for updates as Kerkyra Seaways prepares to introduce their next vessel to enhance the ferry experience on this popular route.
Photo: Marine Traffic (Alex Volos)
Kerkyra Seaways’s HERMES Set Sail for Greece
On 3 February 2020, Kerkyra Seaways’ HERMES sailed from Mizushima port (Japan) for Greece.
She was purchased by Kerkyra Seaways (Souliotis – Lainas) on October 2019 and she will be probably introduced on the Igoumenitsa – Corfu – Paxoi run after a small-scale conversion.
She was the ex- FERRY TSURUGI of Nankai Ferry and plied on the Wakayama-Tokushima run.
Kerkyra Seaways’ new acquisition, FERRY TSURUGI is almost ready to set sail for Greece. [link MarineTraffic]
The Greek crew has already arrived in Japan for the delivery, while the ship is moored at the port of Mizushima waiting for her departure.
FERRY TSURUGI was built in Japan in 1997. She is 2,604gt, 108m long, 17.5 m wide and 4.4m draught. Her carrying capacity is for 470 passengers and 78 private cars (312 lane meters). She has two Niigata diesel engines (10.800 bhp) and her service speed is 19 knots.
