Queries in English for our non-Greek speaking members.

[cambria49]

Thanks for that - I'll watch this space!!!

Cheers,

Justin

[proud_ionian]

a new photo of the Lady in the relevant thread.

[Nick the Greek]

Would you look at that!

[Manxships]

Certainly a Japanese look to her now.

Not too keen on the way the hull shape changes from the curved sides to straight either. Interesting never the less though....

[George]

For all the Lady Of Mann lovers:D , another picture of the ship, today at Perama.

[cambria49]

Hi all, just wondering if there is an update on the Express Aphrodite's 2006 season?

Kind regards,

Justin

[Panagia Ekatontapiliani]

The present rumors say that it will not sail at all 2006 summer season!!

[cambria49]

Let us hope that is only a rumor!

[Gerard Lennon]

Hello Nikos, I noticein your latest Piraeus Round-up that Express Aphrodite has returned to lay up after repair. I was hoping to do a couple of trips in her later this year. Do you know if she will sailing at all? The summer is almost upon us and I'm surprised she has not yet returned to service. Many thanks, Gerard Lennon

[Nick the Greek]

Good day Gerard,

As you may have understood if you follow things up closely, over the last couple of years the only thing that HSW management is absolutely sure about is that they don't want to have any older conventional tonnage left in their fleet within the next couple of years. Other than that, their decision-making about where and how to employ the existing older conventional tonnage, has been changing constantly.

Unfortunately and as things stand today, it does not seem like the Express Aphrodite will be employed this summer. While her fleetmate Express Athina will be going out for one last summer season, she remains laid-up in Drapetsona and it looks as if it's a matter of time for her and the Express Apollon to be the next ones to say goodbye.

Cheers,

Nikos

[Nick the Greek]

The creators of shipfriends.gr have informed the moderation team that there is great interest from international viewers about the progress of her conversion. In response to that and taking advantage of the fact that at the moment there is no other ship next to her, here is a fresh photo. We do hope you do not find it shocking, in the ferry-enthusiasts' sence of the word.

[Manxships]

She certainly looks like a European Japanese Hybrid now!

Interesting that they removed the MES system from near the bow - I assume its being relocated to the stern

[hhvferry]

The creators of shipfriends.gr have informed the moderation team that there is great interest from international viewers about the progress of her conversion. In response to that and taking advantage of the fact that at the moment there is no other ship next to her, here is a fresh photo. We do hope you do not find it shocking, in the ferry-enthusiasts' sence of the word.

Hi 'Nick'

I think it's marvellous. They've finally found something useful to do with her now her IOM career is over. I can't imagine what would have happened to her had SAOS not taken this bold but necessary move - who would have wanted her as she was?!. A poorly-conceived ship that was about 25 years out of date when she was built I'm sure SAOS will have done lovely things to her interiors too

[Nick the Greek]

I'm sure SAOS will have done lovely things to her interiors too

Well, you know SAOS mate, nothing but the best will do...

[hhvferry]

Well, you know SAOS mate, nothing but the best will do...

Hmmm... Nothing but the best unwanted cast-offs. Where they can re-use bits and pieces from other ships and try and squeeze a sliver of profit out before the poor old wrecks finally give up the ghost. I really have to get on the Samothraki and see if anything they pilfered off the Nisos Limnos before despatching her to the beaches has turned up on board.

Speaking of SAOS, I see the Thessaloniki is looking smart in a blue livery judging by your Fakta picture. So I surmise that the proposed funky rebuild is definitely OFF. Or just postponed?

[polmyt]

A new foto of PANAGIA SOUMELA here

[Boatsfloat]

Egnatia was supposed to be auctioned in April, but I assume there were no suitors. Do you know who the lien-holder is and how to contact them (email?)

Thanks in advance,

Vince

[Nick the Greek]

Well, in these cases from the moment one lien-holder exercises his right, all other creditors follow suit. I have no idea who the principal lien holder is but should it be the Greek State(in one form or another), you can forget contact by e-mail.

[Boatsfloat]

Thanks NtG,

I knew there were several claims against her, but was under the impression that the main lien-holder had taken over them. Anyone with more info would be appreciated.

[Panagia Ekatontapiliani]

Hi all, just wondering if there is an update on the Express Aphrodite's 2006 season?

Kind regards,

Justin

Express Aphrodite starts service on 24-07-06 between Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Thira-Anafi in replacement of Express Santorini, which has a serious problem in port main engine.

[cambria49]

Many thanks for that advice; I will be giving a presentation at a Sealink reunion in Holyhead in three weeks time, so will be happy to report the good news to her former Masters!

Rgds,

Justin

[Eskes]

Sorry for English Posting.

The translation with Alttavista of you conversation was not so good.

Is it so that Media V will be repaired and in traffic once more?

Or will she just do one single voyage to be scraped?

However all 3 of the sisters are still around and it must be a reason sens several others in the same size where scrapped, even in better shape.

Could it be that the are in a nice size and sheep to operate?

Regards

Mattias Andersson

from Sweden.

[proud_ionian]

Good evening Mattias,

as far as we know she will sail again linking italy and albania.

there is a lot of speculation regarding her ownership and the charterers.

[Gerard Lennon]

Thanks Nikos for the info. Any idea of when Express Aphrodite might be reactivated and for how long she will be in service to Ikara and Samos? There are some cheap flights around now and I'd love to avail of them to sail in the old girl again. Gerry

[Panagia Ekatontapiliani]

Hello Gerard,

The most likely is that Express Aphrodite will be reactivated in service to Ikaria and Samos on Monday**, for one or two sailings, because Express Pegasus will go for dry-docking.

**P.C: I can not say with certainty of 100% that it will start service on Monday