FIOR DI LEVANTE (ΦΙΟΡ ΝΤΙ ΛΕΒΑΝΤΕ)
-Levante Ferries
Built in 1998 (age 27). Registered in Piraeus. Current line: Kyllini-Zakynthos
The amazing ferry FIOR DI LEVANTE was built in in 1998 South Korea, as the TREASURE ISLAND for the South Korean company Dong Yang Shipping Company. She began her career on the Busan-Jeju line on the Jeju Strait. She was renamed HYUNDAI SEOLBONG in 2000. Her company was renamed Dong Yang Express Ferry Company in 2005. She was seriously damaged by a fire which occurred while she was in Busan in 2011. Despite this, in 2012 she was purchased by the newly-established Greek company Levante Ferries, which is based in Zakynthos, and she was renamed FIOR DI LEVANTE. She was repaired in China and she underwent an extensive conversion, during which her entire appearance changed, her indoor areas were fully renovated, her outdoor areas were modified through the addition of sun decks, and her engines were upgraded. After two years of conversion, the ship was deployed on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line in late 2014, thereby quickly becoming the best ferry on the Ionian Sea as well as one of the best of the Greek coastal service. The ship received the 'Best Ferry in the World' award in 2016 by Shippax. The success of the FIOR DI LEVANTE led her company to purchase the IONIAN STAR of Tyrogalas Ferries in 2015 (which became the MARE DI LEVANTE), and this resulted in the end of the Ionian Ferries joint venture, and the beginning of a joint venture between Levante Ferries and Zante Ferries, named Ionian Group, which lasted until 2019. The ship was also deployed on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line as a result, while also operating occasionally on the Kyllini-Kefalonia-Ithaca line in 2016 and 2017. Currently the youngest ferry on the Ionian Sea, she is unarguably the most exciting and most luxurious ship in the region. She is the flagship of Levante Ferries.
PHOTOS (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023):
The FIOR DI LEVANTE, the pearl of Zakynthos, seen on the Ionian Sea (7/2015).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE, the pearl of Zakynthos, seen on the Ionian Sea (7/2015).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE, the pearl of Zakynthos, seen on the Ionian Sea (7/2015).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen on the Ionian Sea, heading towards Kyllini. The 11880 sign in her hull stands for the 11880 telephone company, which is owned by the same person who owns Levante Ferries, businessman Georgios Theodosis (7/2015).
The FIOR DIL EVANTE seen on the Ionian Sea, heading towards Kyllini (7/2015).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE leaving the port of Zakynthos (7/2015).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE leaving the port of Zakynthos (7/2015).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE leaving the port of Zakynthos (7/2015).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE in the port of Zakynthos (7/2015).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE in the port of Zakynthos (7/2015).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE in the port of Zakynthos (7/2015).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just entered the port of Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just entered the port of Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE ready to maneuver in Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE ready to maneuver in Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE maneuvering in Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE maneuvering in Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE maneuvering in Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE maneuvering in the port of Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE maneuvering in the port of Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE maneuvering in the port of Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE ready to dock in the port of Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE ready to dock in the port of Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE docking in the port of Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE docking in the port of Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just docked in Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just docked in Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just docked in Kyllini (7/2016).
The amazing FIOR DI LEVANTE in Kyllini, during her second summer on the Ionian Sea (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE, the flagship of Levante Ferries, in Kyllini, awaiting her next departure to Zakynthos (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE leaving Zakynthos for Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE leaving Zakynthos for Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE in Zakynthos shortly before her early morning departure at 05:45 (7/2016).
The marvelous FIOR DI LEVANTE in Kyllini (7/2016).
The marvelous FIOR DI LEVANTE in Kyllini (7/2016).
The marvelous FIOR DI LEVANTE in Kyllini (7/2016).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE departing the port of Kyllini (7/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE departing the port of Kyllini (7/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE departing the port of Kyllini (7/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having exited the port of kYLLINI (7/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having exited the port of kYLLINI (7/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having exited the port of kYLLINI (7/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having left the port of Kyllini and heading towards Kefalonia (7/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having left the port of Kyllini and heading towards Kefalonia (7/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having left the port of Kyllini and heading towards Kefalonia (7/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE resting in the port of Zakynthos (8/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE resting in the port of Zakynthos (8/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE resting in the port of Zakynthos (8/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE resting in the port of Zakynthos (8/2017).
The amazing FIOR DI LEVANTE docked in Zakynthos (8/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen in Zakynthos (8/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen in Zakynthos (8/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE unloading passengers and vehicles in Kyllini (8/2017).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE approaching the port of Kyllini (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE approaching the port of Kyllini (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE approaching the port of Kyllini (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE entering the port of Kyllini (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just entered the port of Kyllini (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE maneuvering in Kyllini (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE maneuvering in Kyllini (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE docking in Kyllini (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just docked in Kyllini (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just docked in Kyllini (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE now resting in Kyllini (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having left Zakynthos (8/2018).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen heading towards the port of Kyllini (7/2019).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE entering the port of Kyllini (7/2019).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE entering the port of Kyllini (7/2019).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE entering the port of Kyllini (7/2019).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having maneuvered in Kyllini (7/2019).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having maneuvered in Kyllini (7/2019).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE about to dock in Kyllini (7/2019).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE about to dock in Kyllini (7/2019).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen maneuvering in the port of Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen maneuvering in the port of Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen maneuvering in the port of Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE docking in Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE docking in Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE docking in Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE now docked in Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE now docked in Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE now docked in Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just arrived in Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just arrived in Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE having just arrived in Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen resting in the port of Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen resting in the port of Kyllini (8/2021).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen in the port of Kyllini at dawn. Picture taken by my father, to whom I am truly grateful (8/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen in Piraeus during the evening, while being on the Main Vassiliadis Drydock (11/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen in Piraeus during the evening, while being on the Main Vassiliadis Drydock (11/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen in Piraeus during the evening, while being on the Main Vassiliadis Drydock (11/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen having returned to the port of Zakynthos after having performed her annual refit in Piraeus, and resuming her winter lay-up (11/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen having returned to the port of Zakynthos after having performed her annual refit in Piraeus, and resuming her winter lay-up (11/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen having returned to the port of Zakynthos after having performed her annual refit in Piraeus, and resuming her winter lay-up (11/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen docked in the port of Zakynthos (11/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen docked in the port of Zakynthos (11/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen docked in the port of Zakynthos (11/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen in Zakynthos in the early morning, way before sunrise (11/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen in Zakynthos in the early morning, way before sunrise (11/2023).
The FIOR DI LEVANTE seen in Zakynthos in the early morning, way before sunrise. A few days after this picture was taken, she resumed her usual service on the Ionian Sea (11/2023).