Tag: Levante Ferries | Ferry Shipping News

Oct 13

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Levante Ferries’ RoPax SMYRNA DI LEVANTE enters service on the Thessaloniki – Izmir line

By sandra | 2022 Newsletter week 41 | No Comments

Piraeus, October 7, 2022, — inauguration festivities of SMYRNA DI LEVANTE of Levante Ferries.

The fully rebuilt ropax is a new “sea bridge”, connecting Thessaloniki with Izmir for the first time on October 10, 2022.

The interior of the ship was completely redesigned by Mr Apostolos Molindris and his architects’ team and exudes an oriental environment.

Levante Ferries’ aim is to operate the line throughout the year, not seasonal, while operators and market executives estimate that the specific line will manage to strengthen both cities in terms of tourism and commerce.

The journey will last 14 hours at 19 knots. The offered facilities are for 950 passengers (80 cabins, 250 beds and 220 air-type seats). Her garage capacity is for 430 cars or 58 trucks (16m).

According to the company’s programme, the ship will depart form Thessaloniki every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 19.00, while from Izmir she will depart every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 19.00 with a morning arrival at both ports (09.00).

Jul 07

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The new Thessaloniki-Izmir line will be launched fall 2022

By sandra | 2022 Newsletter week 27 | No Comments

According to the latest information, the new ferry connection between Thessaloniki and Izmir will be launched fall 2022.

So far, it was decided to have one intermediate call to the port of Mytilene. (route Thessaloniki – Mytilene – Izmir).

The aim is to carry trucks cheaply from Izmir either to Thessaloniki and then through the Egnatia motorway to Igoumenitsa port and Italy, or to unload them in Mytilene and transship them to Piraeus for Southern Greece and Crete.

The port of Mytilene will enhance tourism for both countries.

The ship that will be introduced is Levante Ferries’ RoPax SMYRNA DI LEVANTE which is being converted into a ferry that looks like new.

Apr 14

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Levante Ferries revealed SMYRNA DI LEVANTE’s new profile

By sandra | 2022 Newsletter week 15 | No Comments

Levante Ferries recently revealed SMYRNA DI LEVANTE’s (former KOPERNIK/1977) modern profile. The ferry was purchased in April 2019 and is currently undergoing a complete overhaul, a major technological upgrade, as well as a complete remodeling and renovation of her interiors (see our presentation).

She will be introduced soon on the Thessaloniki-Izmir line, offering the well-known quality service and safety standards of Levante Ferries.

Mar 31

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Levante Ferries purchased Marix Lines’ QUEEN CORAL 8

By sandra | 2022 Newsletter week 13 | No Comments

Greek Levante Ferries announced the purchase of the Marix Lines’ QUEEN CORAL 8 from Japan. She is the sixth vessel added to its fleet and will be converted into a ropax ferry with a carrying capacity for 1,300 passengers and 430 cars or 80 trucks (12m) [1,000 lane meters].

The ship was built in 1999 (Kanda Shipbuilding) and is currently at the port of Kure. She will be probably renamed CONTESSA DI LEVANTE and serve the Ionian Sea replacing the older KEFALONIA (1975), which will be probably move to another line.

Mar 18

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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

By sandra | 2021 Newsletter week 11 | No Comments

In The picture: LIEKUT

SeaRoad’s new charter vessel LIEKUT departed Cape Town on 9 March bound for Melbourne and is scheduled to arrive at Station Pier on 26 March.

In preparation for LIEKUT’s arrival – which will service the Bass Strait route – SeaRoad has invested $15 million in developing the East Devonport terminal. This includes fendering, berth strengthening, and mooring bollards works, which are currently being completed for the 210-metre-long ship. In Melbourne, $600,000 of fendering relocation, pile restoration and mooring bollards works are also close to completion.

SeaRoad’s total lane metre capacity will grow by almost 70% when LIEKUT replaces the existing SEAROAD TAMAR.

LIEKUT will conduct its maiden, non-commercial, voyage from Melbourne on 1 April, arriving in Devonport on 2 April for operational testing.

The ship will then depart Devonport on its first commercial voyage on 5 April (Easter Monday) and travel to Webb Dock, Port Melbourne overnight, arriving on 6 April.

Levante Ferries Released Renderings From SMYRNAS’ Interior Conversion

Levante Ferries revealed renderings from the remodeled interior of SMYRNA, former ROSTOCK of Unity Line.

The ship is undergoing an extensive conversion. Her interior decoration will meet two cultures, East and West, since the oriental element is combined with the modern.

SMYRNA is expected to be dry docked in the summer, while she will be probably introduced on the Thessaloniki – Smyrna line in early 2022.

Renderings: Molindris / Levante Ferries

Sep 12

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Levante Ferries’ SMYRNA (Ex-KOPERNIK) Is Being Converted

By sandra | 2019 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

The conversion on the Levante Ferries’ new acquisition SMYRNA (14,216gt/1977) -ex-KOPERNIK- is in progress. According to the company’s official site, the conversion involves extensive repairs to the engine room, the creation of a new ramp in the garage as well as the complete refurbishment of the public spaces in order to comply with Levante Ferries standards and specifications.

This means that we are going to experience yet another excellent refurbish and conversion. The Norwegian-built vessel will be introduced on the much wanted Thessaloniki-Izmir line, fully renovated, in a few months.

Jul 04

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After A Seven Year Layup, HSC ALKIONI Is Acquired By Cypriot Interests

By sandra | 2019 Newsletter week 27 | No Comments

After a seven-year laid up in Ambelakia (Salamis), the Japanese built HSC ALKYONI is reported to be sold to Cyprus-based Plaxiven Consulting Ltd.

The ship has already been renamed CAT 1 and there are plans to introduce her on the Sporades route.

ALKIONI was purchased by Antonis Lelakis in February 2006.

In 2007 she was chartered to the Egyptian Namma Shipping for the Safaga – Dhebba run and renamed SHIKRA.

In 2010 she was chartered to the My Ferries and renamed MYCAT.

However, that charter fell through and she was chartered to NEL LINES, which introduced her on the Sporades run until 2012.

Jul 04

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Levante Ferries Confirmed The Purchase Of Ro-Pax KOPERNIK

By sandra | 2019 Newsletter week 27 | No Comments

Levante Ferries officially confirmed the purchase of the ro-pax KOPERNIK which was laid up at Neos Molos for more than two months.

The ship was sold for scrap to Turkey -by Unity Line- and arrived in Piraeus last April, in order to be renamed PERN and have her flag changed before continuing to Aliaga.

However, her excellent overall condition saved her the last minute and Levante Ferries is expected to introduce her on the Smyrni-Thessaloniki run.

Nov 30

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Kefalonian Lines Leaves The Ionian Sea In Favour Of Levante Ferries

By sandra | 2018 Newsletter week 48 | No Comments

Kefalonian Lines announced officially its withdrawal –after 5 years- from the Ionian Sea. The company decided:

To suspend its ferry services on Zakynthos and Kefalonia lines.
To activate the ship ALEXANDRA L. to the Aegean Sea
To sell NISSOS KEFALONIA to its competitor Levante Ferries.

This decision, is certainly not serving the Ionian island’s interests, however, the fierce competition in combination with the sustainability reasons presented by Kefalonian Lines, leave Levante Ferries free to dominate the Ionian Sea.

Some interesting facts though are:

the Ionian Group’s commitment to launch a ship on the Patras-Sami run but only if it is subsidized.
the further use of the old ALEXANDRA L. in the Aegean Sea, where Attica Group and Seajets are dominant as well as the fate of the old ZAKINTHOS I (photo) which has been decommissioned seven months ago.

Levante Ferries is expected to spend almost EUR 10 million for the purchase and conversion of Kefalonian Line’s, NISSOS KEFALONIA.

The ship is expected to return fully upgraded on the Killini – Zakynthos and Killini – Poros route before summer.

Source: Spyridon Roussos, Ferry Reporter at Nautilia.gr (in Greek)