Thursday 12.12.2024 ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ

Kerkyra Seaways acquires two new vessels to replace ΄Ermis΄

Kerkyra Seaways
12 Jan 2024 / 10:20

CORFU. These are closed-type bidirectional ships that will operate the route from Corfu to Igoumenitsa in 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Kerkyra Seaways is enlarging its fleet with two new ships, which are expected to start operating routes on the Corfu - Igoumenitsa line in the coming months. These are closed-type bidirectional ships named Moysalen and Hardingen, built in Norway in 1993. Their acquisition was completed before the end of 2023, and already, the Moysalen has docked in Perama for the necessary refurbishment work before its arrival at the port of Corfu.

According to officials from Kerkyra Seaways, it is estimated that the routes of these particular ships will commence around the Easter period. They say that the two ships will fill the gap left by the Ermis after its sale to a Croatian-owned company. The last route of the Ermis, after two and a half years of service on the Corfu - Igoumenitsa line, took place on November 15, and the ship is already beyond the border. The Moysalen is expected to be introduced to the public under the name of its predecessor, the Ermis.

1 hour and 25 minutes

The two sister ships, Moysalen and Hardingen, were built 31 years ago in Norway. They share common characteristics in terms of their overall length (84 metres), width (15.4 metres), and draft (reported to be four metres). The passenger protocol for the winter is set at 381 passengers, and for the summer, it is set at 600, while they have a capacity of approximately 130 vehicles.

Kerkyra Seaways officials told Enimerosi that the maximum speed of both ships is 15 knots, which, in practice, means that the route from Corfu to Igoumenitsa will be covered in 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Summer

The Hardingen is expected to arrive in Greece by the end of the month, and it too will head to Piraeus for refurbishment work. Once deemed ready for voyages, this new addition will commence its routes this summer. The Hardingen will enter service with a new name, which has not been decided yet. With these new acquisitions, the fleet of the shipping company will now consist of three closed-type ships and three open-type ships.

 

Photo: PAUL MISJE, marine traffic.com

The shipping company's executives estimate that the Hardingen will commence its routes this summer.

MARIA BAZDRIYIANNI

Main photo: (Moysalen) BOUTOS JOHN, marinetraffic.com