The Dutch company delivered an initial design, following an extensive sustainable fuel feasibility study.
The zero-emission ropax has a capacity of 800 passengers and will feature a variety of sustainable aspects, including fully electric propulsion.
The ferry will recharge in the port of Piraeus.
The vessel is expected to join the fleet in 2026, sailing between Piraeus and the islands of Aegina and Agistri, provided the infrastructure required in the port of Piraeus is in place.
On June 7, 2022, Saronic Ferries signed a memorandum of cooperation with DNV, for the approval of the initial conception of the first, fully electric, passenger car ferry in Greece, which is designed for the Saronic lines.
The specific agreement took place within the framework of the International Shipping Exhibition POSIDONIA 2022 that is held in Greece every 2 years. According to the company executives, Saronic Ferries begins its journey to zero emissions, taking the first step towards a new, more environmentally friendly, model of transportation in the Saronic Gulf.
On 22 April 2022, the fully modernized ferry ANTIGONI of Saronic Ferries was introduced on the Piraeus – Souvala (Aegina) line. The vessel underwent an extensive conversion into a passenger ferry from 2019. Her conversion was delayed due to the pandemic. She was initially built as a landing ferry in 2010 and served the Rio – Antirio and Arkitsa – Edipsos lines as the POSIDONAS. On 30 July 2019, she was sold to Saronic Ferries for service in the Saronic Gulf and transformed into a modern passenger ferry.
ANTIGONI (Re-)Launched
On November 3, 2020, the Greek Elthom shipyard launched the fully upgraded ferry ANTIGONI of the Saronic Ferries consortium (Nova Ferries – 2Way ferries). The ship underwent extensive conversion, in order to be transformed into a closed type ferry and is expected to be introduced in the Saronic Gulf.
She was purchased in July 2020 from Edipsos Ferries and operated on the Edipsos-Arkitsa line as the POSEIDONAS. The ship was built in 2010 in Perama (Atsalaki shipyard), she is 735gt, 77,10 meters long and 17 meters wide. Her carrying capacity is for 590 passengers and 120 cars.
In the background is also seen the German-build NISSOS CHRISSI (ex-RUNGHOLT) of the Cretan Blue Cruises, which is also converted at the same shipyard.