F/B Express Apollon

Photo © Gunnar Menzer

Ship	Express Apollon (1996) ΕΞΠPΕΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΟΝ	Building Spec.	Arsenal de la Marine Nationale Francaise, Brest, France, 1973 – N° 3
Call Sign	SYSQ	IMO Number	7235915
GRT	5.596	DWT	1.094
Dimensions	118,09 x 19,84 x 4	Engines	2 De Bretagne – Pielstick 16PC2-V400, 11.050 kW
Speed	21 knots	Passengers	1.800
Beds	118 in 35 cabins	Cars	256
Lane Metres		Sister ships	Agios Georgios Penelope A
Registry Port	Piraeus	Flag	Greek
Former Names/Own.	Senlac – British Railways / Sealink 1973-84 Senlac – Sealink British Ferries 1984-85 Senlac – S.N.C.F. Societe Nationale Chemins de fer France / Sealink 1985-87 Chartered to B+I Line* 1987* Apollo Express – Ventouris Sea Lines 1987-93 Apollo Express 1 – Ventouris Sea Lines 1993-96
New Names/Owners	Express Apollon – Minoan Flying Dolphins / Hellas Ferries 1999-02 Express Apollon – Hellas Flying Dolphins / Hellas Ferries 2002-04 Express Apollon – Hellenic Seaways 2005-06 Apollon – European Seaways 2007à
Line

Originally a Channel ferry, she was in traffic between Newhaven and Dieppe from 1972 to 1987. After a short chartering period to B+I Line was sold to Ventouris Sea Lines in 1987, renamed “Apollo Express” and put on the line Piraeus - Paros - Naxos - Ios - Santorini, serving sometimes also Syros, Folegandros, Anafi, Amorgos, Astypalea. In 1993 was renamed “Apollo Express 1”. In 1996 Ventouris Sea Lines stopped their services due to financial problems and the “Apollo Express 1”, together with her Ventouris running-mates was laid up in Piraeus port; the ferry was later purchased by Agapitos Express Ferries at a bargain price, renamed “Express Apollon” simply inverting the words of her original name and soon deployed on the main service of the company as the third ship engaged in that service, the Piraeus – Paros – Naxos – Ios – Santorini, sometimes calling also at Anafi, Sikinos, Amorgos and Astypalea. In November 1999 was acquired by Minoan Flying Dolphins - Hellas Ferries, later known as Hellenic Seaways, mainly operating on Central Cyclades services, until the sale to Arkoumanis at the end of 2006: for the owner of European Seaways the ferry, renamed “Apollon”, is engaged on an Italy – Greece timetable.