Images of Cruiseship MS ‘Vision of the Seas’ Departing from the Port of Piraeus

Posted on April 4, 2020 by Karatzas Marine Advisors & Co.

Cruiseship MS ‘Vision of the Seas’ Pictured in the Port of Piraeus
Cruise Ship built in 1998 at Ch. de l’Atlantique, 1,998 Berths

VESSEL’S IDENTIFICATION & DESCRIPTION: Launch Name was Vision of the Seas. Call Sign C6SE8, IMO Number 9116876, Hull Number F31. Built at Ch. de l’Atlantique delivered in Jun 1998, Bahamas Flagged, DNV GL Classed, P&I insurance with Steamship Mutual P&I, Length Overall of 279.00 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 234.70 m., Draught of 7.60 m., Moulded Depth of 22.00 m., Tonnage of 46,263 International Net and 6,200 Dwt (long). Beam of 32.20 m., Gross Tonnage of 78,340, Design Vision Class by Royal Caribbean, Wartsila 4-stroke Engine, Speed of 22.30 kts, Intermediate Fuel Oil – Very Low Sulphur (VLS IFO), Horsepower of 52,227, Power Type: Diesel Electric.

VESSEL’S OWNERS / MANAGERS: Royal Caribbean International, United States. Royal Caribbean International is a group company of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Group Company: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, United States. Technical Manager: RCL Cruises Ltd. United Kingdom. Operator: Royal Caribbean International, United States. Registered Owner: Vision of the Seas, Liberia.

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT: Total number of Passengers 2,435, 999 Passenger Cabins, 1998 Passenger Berths, 11 Passenger Decks, 742 Crew.

ENGINE & PROPULSION:
MAIN ENGINE: 4 x Diesel Gen. – Wartsila 4-stroke 12V46C – 4-stroke 12-cyl. 460mm x 580mm bore/stroke 50,396mkW total at 514rpm driving 4 x AC generator(s) at 60Hz.
PROPULSOR: 2 x FP Propeller (Aft) (electric) at 34,000ekW total AC.
POS,
PROPULSOR: 2 x Pos, Tunnel Thruster (Fwd.) (electric), Brunvoll FU 100-2750 ac. 1 x Pos, Tunnel Thruster (Aft) (electric), Brunvoll FU 100-2750 ac.
OTHER ENGINE EQUIPMENT: 2 x Screw Shaft.
MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT: Coating – Hull, Antifouling – Jotun SeaQuantum – Nov 2010 application date.
EMERGENCY: 2 x Emergency Diesel Gen. – Detroit Diesel Corp 16V-92TA – 2-stroke 16-cyl. 124mm x 127mm bore/stroke 1,074mkW total at 1,800rpm driving 2 x ac generator(s).

NEWBUILDING COST: Reported newbuilding contract price of US$280 million in 1995. Sistership vessel is MS ‘Rhapsody of the Seas’ which was ordered at US$300 million in 1994.

A picture to behold! A cruiseship setting off to a cruise! Picture taken in June 2019 in Port of Piraeus, MS ‘Vision of the Seas’ leaving under the Greek summer sun! Image credit: Karatzas Images

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: The purpose of this blog is for entertainment and information purposes. Vessel description(s), if any, is/are provided in good faith and believed to be correct and accurate but no assurances, warranties or representations are made herewith. Any vessel description(s) is/are provided for entertainment purposes only. We assume no responsibility whatsoever for any errors / omissions in vessel description.

Images of Ferry MV ‘Nissos Samos’ in the Port of Mytilene, Lesbos

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Karatzas Marine Advisors & Co.

Images of Ferry MV ‘Nissos Samos’ Entering the Port of Mytilene, Lesbos
Pass./ Car Ferry of 2,210 Passengers, built in 1988

VESSEL IDENTIFICATION & DESCRIPTION: Ex-names are Ionian Queen, Ionian Glory, New Akashia. Call Sign SVAI7, IMO Number 8712635, Hull Number 2972, Vessel was rebuilt or converted in 2016. Built at I.H.I. (Kure) delivered in Jul 1988, Greece Flagged, HR, RINA Classed, Length Overall of 192.91 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 181.00 m., Draught of 6.78 m., Moulded Depth of 9.00 m.,, Beam of 29.40 m., Gross Tonnage of 30,435, Tonnage of 10,591 International Net, 12,100 Light Displacement and 7,502 Dwt (long). Pielstick Engine, Speed of 20.50 kts, Heavy Fuel Oil (IFO 380), Horsepower of 23,760, Power Type: Diesel 4-Stroke.

VESSEL’S OWNERS & MANAGERS: Hellenic Seaways, Piraeus, Greece. Hellenic Seaways is a group company of Attica Group. Technical Manager: Hellenic Seaways, Piraeus, Greece. Operator: Hellenic Seaways, Piraeus, Greece. Registered Owner: Hellenic Seaways Maritime S.A.

COMMERCIAL DETAILS: Vehicle Capacity of 750 Cars, Lane Length of 1,860.00 m., 1 Stern Ramp(s), 1 Stern Ramp(s). Total number of Passengers 2,210, 108 Passenger Cabins, 376 Passenger Berths, 75 Crew.

ENGINE & POWER DETAILS:
MAIN ENGINE: 2 x Diesel – Pielstick 8PC4 – 4-stroke 8-cyl. 570mm x620mm bore/stroke 17,475mkW total at 375rpm.
PROPULSION: 2 x CP Propeller (Aft) (mechanical).
POS, PROPULSOR: 1 x Pos, Tunnel Thruster (Fwd.) (electric) AC.
OTHER ENGINE EQUIPMENT: 2 x Screw Shaft.

SALE & PURCHASE HISTORY: Reportedly sold to Greek interests in October 2004 for Undisclosed m. Reported sold to Clients of GA Ferries in November 2004 as part of a enbloc sale. Reportedly sold to Clients of Hellenic Seaways in December 2015 for EUR 3 million.

Ferry MV ‘Nissos Samos’ docking in the Port of Mytilene, Lesbos, in the North Aegean. The old castle of Mytilene stands majestically on the hill to the right. Image credit: Karatzas Images

Ferry MV ‘Nissos Samos’ (2,200 passengers, 750 vehicles, 1,860 meter lane, built in 1988 at I.H.I. (Kure), Japan, docking in the Port of Mytilene, Lesbos, in the North Aegean. Image credit: Karatzas Images

Name plate of Ferry MV ‘Nissos Samos’ in the autumn Aegean sun! Image credit: Karatzas Images

Ferry MV ‘Nissos Samos’ appearing from the deep blue of the Aegean Sea as she approaches the Port of Mytilene, Lesbos, in the North Aegean. Image credit: Karatzas Images

Ferry MV ‘Nissos Samos’ appearing from the deep blue of the Aegean Sea as she approaches the Port of Mytilene, Lesbos, in the North Aegean. Image credit: Karatzas Image

Images of Cruiseship MV ‘Norwegian Spirit’ in Piraeus, Greece

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Karatzas Marine Advisors & Co.

MV ‘Norwegian Spirit’ Entering the Port of Piraeus
Cruiseship of 2,018 Berths, built in 1998 at Meyer Werft, Germany

VESSEL IDENTIFICATION & DESCRIPTION: Call Sign C6TQ6, IMO Number 9141065. Ordered in 1995 and built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, delivered in Jun 1998, Bahamas Flagged, DNV Classed, P&I insurance with Steamship Mutual P&I, Length Overall of 268.60 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 235.60 m., Draught of 8.40 m., Moulded Depth of 11.50 m., Beam of 32.20 m., Gross Tonnage of 75,338, Tonnage of 45,235 International Net and 8,395 Dwt (long).

The vessel was constructed by Meyer Werft in Germany in 1998 for account of Star Cruises, the Malaysia-based subsidiary of the Genting Group. Her Launch Name was MV ‘SuperStar Leo’ and she was the first vessel of Star Cruises’ Leo-class. Vessel originally home-ported in Singapore and operated for Star Cruises to Malaysia and Thailand. In 2000, Star Cruises acquired Norwegian Caribbean Line; In 2007, Star Cruises sold 50% of Norwegian for $1 billion to US-based Apollo Management (owners of Oceania Cruises).

In 2004, Norwegian Cruise Line was planning to launch the cruiseship MV ‘Pride of America’. However, just prior to completion, the vessel partially sank when a storm hit the Lloyd Werft shipyards. To meet the already booked cruises for MV ‘Pride of America’, the cruiseship MV ‘Norwegian Sky’ was immediately rushed into service under the name MV ‘Pride of Aloha’. To compensate for the unexpected events, cruiseship MV ‘SuperStar Leo’ was immediately transferred to the NCL fleet, her planned cruises cancelled, and after only two weeks of refits, the vessel emerged as the cruiseship MV ‘Norwegian Spirit’, ready to assume the planned cruises of MV ‘Norwegian Sky’.

There is only one sistership vessel built under the ‘Leo Class’ (now ’Spirit Class’ with NCL), the cruiseship MV ’SuperStar Virgo’ which is owned by Star Cruises. Since the ‘Leo Class’ vessels were designed for the Asian market, this cruiseship is generally on a shorter scale in height than most cruise ships. This also means shorter deck chairs for lounging, hand rails in the corridors and so on.

VESSEL’S OWNERS / MANAGERS: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), United States. [Norwegian is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with major shareholders including Apollo Global Management (15.8%), Genting Group (11.1%), and TPG Capital (2.3%). Norwegian Cruise Line controls approximately 8% of the total worldwide share of the cruise market.]

PASSENGER CAPACITY: Total number of Passengers 2,300, 983 Passenger Cabins, 2018 Passenger Berths, 959 Crew. 14 decks.

MAIN ENGINE: 4 x Diesel Gen – MAN Energy Solutions 14V48/60 – 4-stroke 14-cyl. 480mm x 600mm bore/stroke 58,796mkW total at 514rpm driving 4 x AC generator(s) at 60Hz.

PROPULSOR: 2 x Azimuth (Aft) (electric) AC.

NEWBUILDING COST: Reported newbuilding price of US$ 350 million, contracted in 1995.

Images of Norwegian Cruise Line cruiseships posted previously on our blog, mostly from their port calls to New York Cruise Terminal and in Piraeus can be accessed by clicking on following link!

Cruiseship MV ‘Norwegian Spirit’ entering the Port of Piraeus, Greece. Image credit: Karatzas Images

Cruiseship MV ‘Norwegian Spirit’ entering the Port of Piraeus, Greece. A pilot boat outbound. Image credit: Karatzas Images

Cruiseship MV ‘Norwegian Spirit’ entering the Port of Piraeus, Greece. Image credit: Karatzas Images

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Vessel description is provided in good faith and is believed to be correct and accurate but no assurances, warranties or representations are made herewith. Vessel description is provided for entertainment purposes only. We have no responsibility whatsoever for any errors / omissions in vessel description.

Access to this blog signifies the reader’s irrevocable acceptance of this disclaimer. No part of this blog can be reproduced by any means and under any circumstances, whatsoever, in whole or in part, without proper attribution or the consent of the copyright and trademark holders of this website. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that information herewithin has been received from sources believed to be reliable and such information is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing, no warranties or assurances whatsoever are made in reference to accuracy or completeness of said information, and no liability whatsoever will be accepted for taking or failing to take any action upon any information contained in any part of this website. Thank you for the consideration.

Images of Ferry MV ‘Panagia Tinou’ listing in Port of Piraeus

Posted on June 11, 2016 by Karatzas Marine Advisors & Co.

In late April 2016, while docked in the Port of Piraeus (Gate E4), ferry boat MV ‘Panagia Tinou’ started listing to its starboard side due to ingress of water. The vessel was under arrest at the time of the listing at the request of the creditors due to outstanding bad debts.

Following pictures were taken in early June 2016, showing that the vessel is getting lower into the water as compared to original pictures from late April 2016 when water first started ingressing. In very close vicinity, several ferries are continuing their business and their voyages to the Greek Islands, when seafarers and Port of Piraeus employees are not on strike, that is… As unsafe as it may be to tow the vessel to a repair dock in the Port of Piraeus, one can only wonder what would happen if MV ‘Panagia Tinou’ suddenly sinks or capsizes in its present location in the main port, the potential risk to vessels in vicinity and the also the repercussions from the closure to several docks in the Port of Piraeus or how long will take to lift the vessel from the bottom of the port… Security personnel from the Port of Piraeus were observed to smoke furiously by the cordoned area around the vessel, thus we can surmise that the situation is under someone’s watchful eye.

The ferry MV ‘Panagia Tinou’ is named after the famous shrine of the Virgin Mary on the Island of Tinos, in Cyclades. The vessel used to served the Islands of Tinos, Paros, Naxos and Santorini most of her time while plowing Greek waters, and has been boarded by and graced the memories of many a tourist, while from Greece or overseas.

The ferry MV ‘Panagia Tinou’ was built for Sealink as MV ‘Hengist’ in 1972 in France at Arsenal de la Marine National Francaise with the intend to serve the routes of Dover / Folkestone and Calais / Boulogne along with her sisterships MV ‘Horsa’ and MV ‘Senlac’. Sealink in 1984 was acquired by Sea Containers and in 1990 to Stena to create Stena Sealink. In 1992, the vessel was acquired by Clients of Agoudimos (GA Ferries) in Greece for US$ 5.2 million and re-named MV ‘Romilda’, while in 1993, she was sold for the first time to Ventouris Sea Lines for $11.9 million; subsequently, Ventouris Sea Lines acquired the sistership MV ‘Senlac’ and brought her to Greece as ‘Apollon II’. In 1996, she was sold to Agapitos Group (Agapitos Lines) for US$ 10.5 million. In 1999, she was sold to Minoan Flying, and in 2004, she was sold for the second (and last time) to Venturis Sea Lines, whose house colors are presently painted on the smokestack.

More information on the vessel MV ‘Panagia Tinou’, in Greek, can be found on Ships at Port of Piraeus website.

MV ‘Panagia Tinou’ (Ex-name: Agios Georgios)
1,620 Passengers / Car (Ro-Pax) / Ferry built in 1972

VESSEL DESCRIPTION: Ex-names are Agios Georgios, Panagia Ekatontapyliani, Express Artemis, Panagia Ekatontapyliani, Apollon Express 2, Romilda, Stena Hengist, Hengist. Call Sign SWXF, IMO Number 7205063. Built at D.C.A.N., Greece Flagged, Length Overall of 117.50 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 110.20m., Draught of 4.40 m., Beam of 19.20 m., Moulded Depth of 6.17 m., Tonnage of 2,610 International Net and 1,033 Dwt (long), Gross Tonnage of 5,120, Speed of 19.50 kts, Marine Diesel Oil, Horsepower of 15,000 BHP.

OWNER / MANAGER DETAILS: Ventouris Sea Lines, 2, Kapodistriou Street &, Akti Possidonos, Piraeus, Greece.

SPECIALIZED DETAILS: Vehicle Capacity of 217 Cars, Lane Length of 450.00 m., 1 Stern Ramp(s). Total number of Passengers 1,621, 110 Passenger Berths.
Additional Information

MAIN ENGINE: 2 x Diesel – Pielstick 16PC2.2 – 4-stroke 16-cyl. 400mm x460mm bore/stroke 11,032mkW total at 500rpm.

AUXILIARY ENGINES: 3 x Aux. Diesel Gen – 4-stroke 1,680mkW total driving 3 x AC generator(s) at 1,680ekW total, (2,100kVA total) 415V, 1 x Emergency Gen – 4-stroke 150mkW total driving 1 x AC generator(s) at 150ekW total, (188kVA total) 415V.