Strintzis Lines
 
Page One: History before 2000
 
 
This is the first of two pages devoted to postcards of Strintzis Lines up to 2000, when the line was relaunched as Blue Ferries. The history as Blue Ferries after 2000 is available on Strintzis Lines - Page 2. In 2003, a member of the Strintzis family set up a new company Strintzis Ferries with a single ship, Eptanisos (2).
 
An alphabetical list of ships covered on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to complete postcard history pages on selected individual ships. Below the table are official postcards of the fleet in chronological order.
 
 
Ships on This Page:-
Ainos (1978-1989) - ex-Apollo
Delos (1986-1997) - ex-Villandry
Eptanisos (1) (1984-2000) - ex-Valencay
Ionian Bridge (1996-2000) - ex-Bass Trader
Ionian Express (1) (1991) - ex-Cassiopeia
Ionian Express (2) (1992) - ex-Prince Laurent
Ionian Fantasy (1988-1991) - ex-Canguro Bruno
Ionian Galaxy (1987-2000) - ex-Arkas
Ionian Glory (1981-1989) - ex-Compiegne
Ionian Harmony (1989-1990) - ex-Canguro Verde
Ionian Island (1987-2000) - ex-Albireo
Ionian Sea (1991-1994) - ex-Canguro Bruno
Ionian Star (1) (1976-1990) - ex-Prins Bertil
Ionian Star (2) (1994-1999) - ex-Via Ligure
Ionian Sun (1986-2001) - ex-Leinster
Ionian Victory (1) (1984-1986) - ex-Drottingen
Ionian Victory (2) (1998-2000) - ex-Sapporo Maru
Kefalonia (1995- ) - ex-Venus
Kefallinia (1965-1993)
Sea Jet 1 - fast ferry
Superferry (1991-2001) - ex-Cassiopeia
Superferry II (1993- ) - ex-Prince Laurent
Superferry Hellas (1999-2000) - ex-Valuna

Associated Pages:-
Strintzis Lines - Page 1 - Fleet history up to 2000 - this page!
Strintzis Lines - Page 2 - Fleet history from 2000.
Strintzis Lines - Page 3 - New ships delivered since 2000.
Stintzis Ferries - New 2003 Strintzis company.
Ferry Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
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Table of Ship Histories

Name

Other names

 Built
 Ionian Glory  Compiegne, Queen Vergina, Freedom I, Katerina, Al Amirah

 1958
 Ionian Star  Prins Bertil, Leif Erikson, Orient Star, Tian Kun

 1964
 Ionian Sun  Leinster, Innisfallen

1969
 Ionian Victory  Drottningen, Alzahraa, Paloma, Jin Hu

1968
 Superferry II  Prince Laurent

1974
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strintzis Line Fleet List
 
 
Kefallinia (1965-1993)
 
Kefallinia was the first ferry boat built in Greece. It was built in 1965 in Perama shipyards for Strintzis Lines. It changed the maritime map of the Ionian Sea. It was the first time that the Ionian Islands had everyday routes and it was the first big ship of the Ionian Sea (details provided by Gerassimos Kounadis).
 
Kefallinia's routes from 1965 to 1977 were:-
Patra-Sami (Cephallonia) 3 days per week
Patra-Sami (Cephallonia)-Vathi (Ithaki) 2 days per week
Patra-Sami (Cephallonia)-Vathi (thaki)-Frikes (Ithaki)-Vassiliki
(Leukada)-Nydri (Leukada)-Meganisi (small island)-Mytikas (west
mainland)-Kalamos (small island)-Astakos (west mainland) 1 day per week
Patra-Sami (Cerhallonia)-Fiskardo (Cephallonia)-Paxi-Corfu 1 day per week
 
Kefallinia's routes from 1977 to 1984 were:-
2 weeks per month Patra- Sami (Cephallonia) every day
2 weeks per month Patra- Sami (Cephallonia)-Vathi (ithaki) 6 days per week and the 7th day Patra- Sami (Cephallonia)-Vathi (Ithaki)-Paxi-Corfu
 
Kefallinia's routes from 1984 to 1992 were:-
Patra- Sami (Cephallonia)- Vathi (Ithaki) every day
Some winters had travelled in the line Killini (west Peloponese)-Poros (Cephallonia)
 
In 1992 Kefallinia was put on the line Igumenitsa-Corfu-Otranto
 
In 1993 Kefallinia was sold by Strintzis Lines to a small company from Amorgos (Cyclades), it changed its name to Express Paros and it was put on lifeline routes between the island of Cyclades to 1998. In 1999 she was sold to Tanzania and it travelled as Zahara in the line Dar Es Salaam- Zanzibar. Now it is abandoned in the harbour of Dar Es Salaam with incoming sea water in the engines. It is the most historical Greek ferry boat and there some persons and a maritime magazine in Greece who try to find way to save it.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ainos (top right) and Kefallinia.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Star (1) (1976-1990)
 
Ionian Star was built as the Prins Bertil in 1964 by Werft Nobiskrug, Rendsburg for Lion Ferry Ab of Halmstad. Her sisterships Gustav Vasa and Kronprins Carl Gustav, and B&I Line ferries Munster, Leinster and Innisfallen were developments of the design. Prins Bertil entered service between Århus-Halmstad-Copenhagen. In 1965 she was sold to Canada, for delivery on 1st january 1966, and was used as the Leif Erikson between North Sydney and Port aux Basques by Canadian National. In 1976, Leif Erikson was sold to Strintzis Lines and renamed Ionian Star. She operated between Ancona-Igoumenitsa-Patras. In 1990, Ionian Star was sold by Strintzis, and sailed as Orient Star and Tian Kun before being broken up in 2001.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Star (1).
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ainos (1) (1978-1989)
 
Apollo (I) was the first purpose-built ferry acquired by any of the Viking Line partners, being delivered to AB Slite in 1964. She carried the logo Ålandspilen (Åland Arrow) on her hull, and was ice-strengthened for all-year service. Apollo (I) was used mainly on the Kapellskär-Mariehamn-Parainen route, and from 1967 on Kapellskär-Mariehamn-Naantali. She rapidly became too small for the service, and carried subsequent names Manic (in Canada), Ainos (for Strintzis Line), Neraia II, Ydra and Agios Nektarios. Ainos was owned by Strintzis from 1978-89, and operated on routes Rafina-Kykladerna and Kyllini-Poros-Kephalonias.

Official Strintzis postcard of Ainos (top right) and Kefallinia.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Glory (1981-1989)
 
Ionian Glory was built as the Compiegne in 1958 by Chargeurs Reunis Loire-Normandie, Grand Quevilly, for Société Anonym de Gérance et d'Armement (SAGA). She was used on SNCF services between Dover and Calais/Boulogne. In 1981 she was sold to Strintzis Lines and renamed Ionian Glory for the service Brindisi-Korfu-Igoumenitsa-Patras. She was sold by Strintzis in 1989, and subsequently served as Queen Vergina, Freedom I, Katerina, Al Amirah and Al Ameerah.
 
Complete history of Ionian Glory
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Glory.
 
 
Photograph of Ionian Glory.
© Foto Fleet File Rotterdam
Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eptanisos (1) (1984-2000)
 
Eptanisos was built as the Valencay in 1965 by Chantiers de Atlantique, Nantes, for SNCF. Her sistership was Villandry, later Delos. She served on the Newhaven-Dieppe route (with occasional use at Calais/Boulogne) until 1985 when she was sold to Strintzis Lines and renamed Eptanisos (1). She served on the route Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Myconos. Eptanisos was sold in 2000 to Ventouris Ferries and renamed Pollux.
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Eptanisos.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Eptanisos.
 
 
Simplon Postcards release sp1036 of Eptanisos.
Photo: © Mike Louagie.
 
 
Ramsey Postcards release 53 of Eptanisos.
 
 
TEXNH postcard 871 of Cephalonia with Eptanisos.
 
 
TEXNH postcard 1000 of Cephalonia with Eptanisos.
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Victory (1) (1984-1986)
 
Ionian Victory was built as the Drottningen in 1968 by Uddevallavarvet Ab, Uddevalla for Statens Järnvägar (SJ - Swedish National Railways). She served on the routes Trelleborg-Travemünde and Malmö-Travemünde. In 1973 Drottningen was chartered to Birka Line for services out of Stockholm to Mariehamn and Helsinki/Leningrad. In 1974-76 Drottningen was chartered to Polferries, Sessan Line, Silja Line and Stena Line. In 1977 Drottningen was sold to Egyptian owners as the Alzahraa, followed by sale to Strintzis Lines in 1984 as Ionian Victory. She remaned in the Strintzis fleet for only two years, and has sailed subsequently as Paloma and Jin Hu.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Victory (1).
 
 
 
 
 
Delos (1986-1997)
 
Delos was built as the Villandry in 1965 by Chantiers de Atlantique, Nantes, for SNCF. Her sistership was Valencay, later Eptanisos. She served on the Newhaven-Dieppe route (with occasional use on other Sealink routes) until 1984 when she was sold to Agapitos and renamed Olympia. She was sold to Strintzis two years later and renamed Delos. Delos was broken up in 1998.
 
I do not have a postcrd of Delos yet.
If you can help, please email: simplon@simplon.co.uk
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Sun (1986-2001)
 
Ionian Sun was built as the Leinster in 1969 by Verolme Cork Dockyards, for B&I's Dublin-Liverpool service. In 1980, Leinster was renamed Innisfallen when her sister of that name was sold. She was transferred to routes from Pembroke Dock to Cork and Rosslare. In 1986, Innisfallen was sold to Strintzis Lines and renamed Ionian Sun. She served on the route Ancona-Corfu-Igoumenitsa-Patras. During the summer of 1990, Ionian Sun was chartered to Swansea-Cork Ferries. She was laid up in 2000, and sold the following year to become the Merdif for Dubai owners.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Sun.
 
 
Simplon Postcards release sp1036 of Ionian Sun, in Swansae-Cork service.
Photo: ©Terence Mitchell, Cork, 1990.
 
 
Chantry Classics release CC/S203 of Ionian Sun, in Swansae-Cork service.
Photo: ©Matthew Punter, Swansea.
 
 
Ramsey Postcards release 72 of Ionian Sun.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Island (1987-2000)
 
Built 1972 as Japanese ferry Albireo of Taiheiyo-Enkai-Ferry, later Taiheiyo-Ferry (previously a sister to Blue Galaxy, ex-Arkas, although conversion carried out differently). Rebuilt 1990 as Ionian Island for Strintzis Lines. Renamed Blue Island in 2000 on transfer to Blue Ferries. For the 2001 season, Blue Galaxy and Blue Island, were chartered to Marmara Lines as the Cesme 2 and Cesme 1, for services from Cesme (Turkey) to Ancona and Brindisi. In 2002, Marmara Lines bought the DFDS ferry King of Scandinavia and renamed her the Cesme.
 
 
Built 1972 as Japanese ferry Albireo of Taiheiyo-Enkai-Ferry.
Scan: Ken Murayama.
 
 
Albireo later served wit a blue hull.
Scan: Ken Murayama.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Island.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Island.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Island.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Galaxy (1987-2000)
 
Built 1972 as Japanese ferry Arkas of Taiheiyo-Enkai-Ferry, later Taiheiyo-Ferry (previously a sister to Blue Island, ex-Albireo, although conversion carried out differently). Rebuilt 1989 as Ionian Galaxy for Strintzis Lines. Renamed Blue Galaxy in 2000 on transfer to Blue Ferries. For the 2001 season, Blue Galaxy and Blue Island, were chartered to Marmara Lines as the Cesme 2 and Cesme 1, for services from Cesme (Turkey) to Ancona and Brindisi. In 2002, Marmara Lines bought the DFDS ferry King of Scandinavia and renamed her the Cesme.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Galaxy.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Galaxy.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Galaxy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Fantasy (1988-1991)
Ionian Sea (1991-1994)
 
Built in 1968 by Italcantieri S.p.A., Castellammare di Stabia, as the Canguro Bruno. Entered service for Navigazion Traghetti Sardi between Livorno-Palermo. In 1978 Canguro Bruno was chartered to Trasmediterranea for services from Barcelona to the Balearic islands. Canguro Bruno was used between Ancona and Patras on return from charter. In 1982 she was sold to Saudi Arabian owners as the Yum, for service between Suez and Jeddah. In 1988, Yum was sold to Strintzis Lines as the Ionian Fantasy. In 1991 Ionian Fantasy was renamed Ionian Sea. During 1993 she had a charter with Cotunav, for which she was renamed Bihar. In 1994, Ionian Sea was sold to Aktoploiki Maritime (Dane Sea Lines) and put into service as the Dimitra for associated company GA Ferries. In 1997, Dimitra was transferred to Dane Sea Lines, and renamed Leros. She was broken up in Turkey in 2001. Sistership Canguro Verde became Ionian Harmony.
 
 
Photograph of Ionian Sea.
Photo: Hans Neels.
Scan supplied by Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
I do not have a postcard of Ionian Fantasy/Ionian Sea yet.
If you can help, please email: simplon@simplon.co.uk
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Harmony (1989-1990)
 
Built in 1967 by Italcantieri S.p.A., Castellammare di Stabia, as the Canguro Verde. Entered service for Navigazion Traghetti Sardi between Genoa-Barcelona-Cagliari-Porto Torres. In 1974 Canguro Verde was sold to Società Linee Canguro. In 1981 she was sold to Saudi Arabian owners as the Durr, for service between Suez and Jeddah. In 1989, Durr was sold to Strintzis Lines as the Ionian Harmony, for a Patras-Dubrovnik-Ancona service. In 1990 Ionian Harmony was sold for use as Sun Fiesta between Puerto Rico and St Thomas, but did not enter service. Instead, she was sold to A.Lelakis for conversion to a cruise ship for his Regency Cruises. She began cruising from New York as Regent Jewel, but Regency Cruises folded shortly afterwards. Regent Jewel was sold again to Jule Cruises, and chartered to Transocean Tours as the Calypso. In 1998 she was laid up, until sold in 2000 to Louis Cruise Lines, retaining the name Calypso. Sistership Canguro Bruno became Ionian Fantasy.
 
I do not have a postcard of Ionian Harmony yet.
If you can help, please email: simplon@simplon.co.uk
 
 
Photograph of Ionian Harmony.
Photo: © Panteleimon Lelekis - Scan: Fakta om Fartyg.
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Express (1) (1991)
Superferry (1991-2001)
 
Built as Cassiopeia in 1972 by Hashihama Shipbuilding for Ocean Ferry KK, Japan. Renamed Izu No3 in 1976 when owned by Ocean Tokyo Ferry. Sold to Strintzis in 1991 and renamed Ionian Express. Entered service as Superferry between Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Mykonos-Syros. From 1994 she was chartered to Swansea Cork Ferries each summer. In 2001 renamed Blue Aegean. Sold in 2002 to Briarstar Limited, Kingstown, St Vincent, but chartered again to Swansea-Cork Ferries as Superferry.
 
 
This is a photograph of an Ocean Ferry vessle of the same class as that which became Superferry. A similar vessel became Aretousa of Minoan Lines (later Patmos of Dane Sea Lines).
Scan: Ken Murayama.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Superferry.
 
 
Official Swansea-Cork Ferries postcard of Superferry.
 
 
Salmon postcard 2-16-02-15 of Superferry at Swansea.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Express (2) (1992)
Superferry II (1993- )
 
Superferry II was built in 1974 by N.V. Boelwerf S.A, Tamise, Belgium, as the RTM Oostende-Dover ferry Prince Laurent. She was sold to Strintzis in 1992, and was initially named Ionian Express. Renamed Superferry II before entry into service in 1993 on Strintzis route Rafina-Andros-Tinos-Myconos-Syros. She has not been renamed since transfer to Blue Ferries in 2000.
 
A complete postcard history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Superferry II.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Superferry II (surprisingly similar to the card above!).
 
 
Tropic Postcards T111 Superferry II (ex-Ionian Express, Prince Laurent)
Photo: Frank Heine
 
 
Tropic Postcards T382 of Superferry II (ex-Ionian Express, Prince Laurent) and Panagia Tinou (ex-Moby Love, Prins Phillipe).
Photo: © George Giannakis.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Star (2) (1994-1999)
 
Built 1993 by Van der Gissen de Noord as Via Ligure, along with two sisters Via Adriatico and Via Ionio, for Viamare di Navigazione, Palermo. They were ro-ro ferries carying just 50 passengers., and their service was Voltri/Genoa-Termini Imerese/Palermo. In 1994, Via Ligure, was chartered to Strintzis Lines as the Ionian Star. She was rebuilt with accommodation for 1000 passengers, and served Patras-Igoumenitsa-Corfu-Ancona. Strintzis purchased Ionian Star in 1996, but in 1999 she was sold to CMN as the Scandola, and entered service between Marseille-Ajaccio.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Star (2).
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Star (2).
 
 
 
 
 

Kefalonia (1995- )
 
Built 1975 as the Japanese ferry Venus. Renamed Kefalonia by Strintzis Ferries; she has not been renamed since transfer to Blue Ferries.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Kefalonia.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Bridge (1996-2000)
 
Built 1976 as ro-ro ferry Bass Trader for Australian National Line. Rebuilt 1997 as Ionian Bridge for Strintzis Lines. Renamed Blue Bridge in 2000 on transfer to Blue Ferries. In 2004, Blue Bridge passed to ISCOMAR as the Mercedes Del Mar.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Bridge.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ionian Victory (2) (1998-2000)
 
Built 1972 as Japanese ferry Sapporo Maru of Nihon Enkai, later the Sunflower Sapporo of Blue-Highway-Line. Rebuilt 1999 as Ionian Victory for Strintzis Lines. Renamed Blue Sky in 2000 on transfer to Blue Ferries.
 
 
Ionian Victory (2) was built 1972 as Japanese ferry Sapporo Maru of Nihon Enkai.
Postcard of Sapporo Maru.
Scan: Ken Murayama.
 
 
Postcard of Sapporo Maru.
Scan: Ken Murayama.
 
 
Sapporo Maru later became the Sunflower Sapporo of Blue-Highway-Line.
Telephone card of Sapporo Maru.
Scan: Ken Murayama.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Ionian Victory (2).
 
 
 
 
 
 
Superferry Hellas (1999-2000)
 
Built 1972 as Japanese ferry Valuna, for the Muroran-Hokkaido route of Higashi-Nihon Ferry Co. Rebuilt 1999 as Superferry Hellas for Strintzis Lines. Renamed Blue Horizon in 2000 on transfer to Blue Ferries. She has a sister, the Victory of Grimaldi Lines (Livorno-Palermo service), which retained her original Japanese name on transfer. Similar ship Hermes now serves with ANEK as Sofokles V, whilst Hermes' sister Hercules operates as Leyka Ori.
 
 
Superferry Hellas was built 1972 as Japanese ferry Valuna, for the Muroran-Hokkaido route of Higashi-Nihon Ferry Co.
 
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Superferry Hellas.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sea Jet 1
 
Official Strintzis postcard of Sea Jet 1.
 
 
 
 
 
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