F/B Ionian Queen - Limassol

F/B IONIAN QUEEN

Photo © Michele Lulurgas, Patras, 12/01/07 #5730

Ship	Ionian Queen (2005)	Building Spec.	I.H.I. Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries, Kure, Japan, 1988 – N°2972
Call Sign	C4CC2	IMO Number	8712635
GRT	30.385	DWT	7.622
Dimensions	192,9 x 29,4 x 6,75	Engines	2 Pielstick 8PC40L, 17.480 kW
Speed	21,8 knots	Passengers	1.000
Beds	344	Cars	452
Lane Metres	1.860	Sister Ships	Ferry Azalea Ferry Shirakaba Ionian King
Registry Port	Limassol	Flag	Cyprus
Former Names/Owners	New Akashia – Shin Nihonkai Ferry 1988-04
New Names/Owners
Line	Brindisi – Corfu – Igoumenitsa – Cephalonia – Patras

A very beautiful ferry, delivered to Shin Nihonkai Ferry of Osaka in 1988 by Ishikawajima Harima Industries (I.H.I.), better known as turbo-charges manufacturer for automotive industry (they also developed the twin turbines of Maserati Quattroporte IV Edition). The ferry was delivered as the first of a four sisters series which were built within six years (the following ones were delivered in 1991, 1994 and again 1994); not a prticularly speedy vessel, was deployed between Maizuru, on the Western Coast of Honshu island, and Otaru, close to the capital of Hokkaido island, Sapporo. Was replaced by two newly-built ferries in 2004 and put for sale; was then bought by Endeavour Shipping of Mr Gianetatos, a company which is in business with Agoudimos Lines and renamed “Ionian Glory”. This beautiful ferry arrived in Greece in January 2005 and started the rebuilding work at Perama yards; during this time was also renamed “Ionian Queen” and reflagged from Jamaica to Cyprus, having Limassol as her home port. Among her family of sisters, she is noticeable for the external promenade of her first passenger deck (a common feature with “Ionian King”) and also for her stern quarter ramp on starboard side. Anyway after the refit she appeared different on many aspects with her nearest sister “Ferry Lavender/Ionian King”, both over internal spaces and on raps to access the ferry. The quarter ramp was removed and another one was added at stern along to the original Japanese stern ramp, which was lengthened; anyway the new stern door/ramp included the passengers entrance with escalator; the bow visor, not useful due to its height in Greek ports, was sealed, and the sliding doors which were closing the access to upper garage from the quays were removed, leaving two holes for the ventilation, alterations not carried on “Ionian King”. differently from the “Ionian King” she had two stern ramps, already installed in Japan; however the starboard side one should be modified from her appearance under Japanese days. We can find also other differences among the life boats: both sisters have two life boats each side, but on “Ionian Queen” the couple of life-boats is at stern, instead of “Ionian King”, where there are one at stern and one at bow, just behind the wheelhouse; finally a little structure is surrounding the stern mooring station. Yhe ferry is serving Bari – Igoumenitsa – Patras since August 2005, calling also at Cephalonia on peak periods; often we heard rumours about a sale of the vessel, but I hope that the ship would remain on her service under her colours or, at least, being sold to Agoudimos Lines.