MARE DI LEVANTE (ΜΑΡΕ ΝΤΙ ΛΕΒΑΝΤΕ)
-Levante Ferries
ex-IONIAN STAR (ΙΟΝΙΑΝ ΣΤΑΡ) for Tyrogalas Ferries (2003-2015) and also for Levante Ferries (2015-2016)
Built in 1984 (age 40). Registered in Piraeus. Current lines: Kyllini-Zakynthos and Kyllini-Kefalonia
The conventional ferry MARE DI LEVANTE was built in Japan in 1984. Her initial name was NIIHAMA 2, and she operated for the same Japanese company which owned her future Ionian Sea partner, the DIONISIOS SOLOMOS (then known as the ROYAL KAWANOE), Shikoku Chuo Ferry, on the Osaka-Kobe-Kawanoe-Niihama line. In 1994 she was sold to the South Korean company Kukjae Express and was renamed KUKJAE EXPRESS FERRY 2, and in 1999 she was renamed SEA WORLD EXPRESS FERRY. She operated on the Busan-Jeju line under both names. In 2003 she was bought by the Zakynthos-based company Tyrogalas Ferries and was renamed IONIAN STAR. She underwent a major conversion initially in South Korea and later in Greece (in Perama), whereupon she received a new bow, new stabilisers and many new passenger accomodations. She entered service on the Ionian Sea, on the Kyllini-Zakynthos line, where she operated under the Ionian Ferries joint venture. She also operated occasionally on the Kyllini-Kefalonia line during the summer. After 12 successful years with Tyrogalas Ferries, the ship was sold to Levante Ferries in 2015, marking the end of the Ionian Ferries joint venture and the beginning of the new Ionian Group joint venture, which lasted until 2019. After a short term on the Patras-Kefalonia-Ithaca line in late 2015, she underwent a minor conversion in 2016 in Perama, during which she was renamed MARE DI LEVANTE. She subsequently resumed service on both the Kyllini-Zakynthos line and the Kyllini-Kefalonia line.
PHOTOS (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021):
The IONIAN STAR in Kyllini, shortly before her departure to Kefalonia (7/2014).
The IONIAN STAR leaving Kyllini for Zakynthos, in one of her final days under the ownership of Tyrogalas Ferries (7/2015).
The IONIAN STAR leaving Kyllini for Zakynthos, in one of her final days under the ownership of Tyrogalas Ferries (7/2015).
The IONIAN STAR on the Ionian Sea, during her first days under the ownership of Levante Ferries. Her funnels feature the logo of her new owners. The ship will be painted in yellow after the summer (7/2015).
The IONIAN STAR on the Ionian Sea, during her first days under the ownership of Levante Ferries. Her funnels feature the logo of her new owners. The ship will be painted in yellow after the summer (7/2015).
The IONIAN STAR on the Ionian Sea, during her first days under the ownership of Levante Ferries. Her funnels feature the logo of her new owners. The ship will be painted in yellow after the summer (7/2015).
My first-ever photo of the ex-IONIAN STAR as the MARE DI LEVANTE, as she leaves Zakynthos for Kyllini (7/2016).
Crossing the MARE DI LEVANTE on the Ionian Sea, during her first season under her new name (7/2016).
Crossing the MARE DI LEVANTE on the Ionian Sea, during her first season under her new name (7/2016).
Crossing the MARE DI LEVANTE on the Ionian Sea, during her first season under her new name (7/2016).
Crossing the MARE DI LEVANTE on the Ionian Sea, during her first season under her new name and new colours (7/2016).
Crossing the MARE DI LEVANTE on the Ionian Sea, during her first season under her new name and new colours (7/2016).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen approaching the port of Zakynthos from a far distance (7/2016).
The MARE DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Kyllini (7/2016).
The MARE DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Kyllini (7/2016).
The MARE DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Kyllini after arriving from Kefalonioa(7/2016).
The MARE DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Kyllini, after arriving from Kefalonia (7/2016).
The MARE DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Kyllini, after arriving from Kefalonia (7/2016).
The beautiful MARE DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Kyllini, after arriving from Kefalonia (7/2016).
The beautiful MARE DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Kyllini, after having arrived from Kefalonia (7/2016).
The MARE DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Kyllini, after having arrived from Kefalonia (7/2016).
A close-up photo of the MARE DI LEVANTE in Kyllini, which clearly shows the modified front section of the ship (7/2016).
A close-up of the back section of the MARE DI LEVANTE in Kyllini, with a focus on the ads of vrisko.gr and 11880, services owned by Georgios Theodosis, the owner of Levante Ferries (7/2016).
The MARE DI LEVANTE preparing to depart the port of Kyllini (7/2017).
The MARE DI LEVANTE entering the port of Zakynthos during the evening (8/2018).
The MARE DI LEVANTE resting in Zakynthos (8/2018).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen entering the port of Zakynthos (7/2019).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen entering the port of Zakynthos (7/2019).
The MARE DI LEVANTE having just entered the port of Zakynthos (7/2019).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen docking in Zakynthos (7/2019).
The MARE DI LEVANTE resting in Zakynthos (7/2019).
The MARE DI LEVANTE resting in Zakynthos (7/2019).
The bow of the MARE DI LEVANTE, which is docked in Zakynthos (7/2019).
The MARE DI LEVANTE resting in Zakynthos (7/2019).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen in the port of Zakynthos (7/2019).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen in the port of Zakynthos (7/2019).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen in the port of Zakynthos (7/2019).
The MARE DI LEVANTE moored in Zakynthos (7/2019).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen arriving in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen arriving in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen arriving in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE about to enter the port of Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE having just entered the port of Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE having just entered the port of Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE preparing her maneuvering procedure in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE preparing her maneuvering procedure in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen maneuvering in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen maneuvering in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen maneuvering in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE completing her maneuvering procedure in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE completing her maneuvering procedure in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE completing her maneuvering procedure in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen about to dock in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen about to dock in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen about to dock in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE having just docked in Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE having just docked in the port of Zakynthos (8/2021).
Crossing the MARE DI LEVANTE on the Ionian Sea, as she heads towards Zakynthos (8/2021).
Crossing the MARE DI LEVANTE on the Ionian Sea, as she heads towards Zakynthos (8/2021).
Crossing the MARE DI LEVANTE on the Ionian Sea, as she heads towards Zakynthos (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen on the Ionian Sea, heading from Kyllini to Zakynthos (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen on the Ionian Sea, heading from Kyllini to Zakynthos (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen on the Ionian Sea, heading from Kyllini to Zakynthos (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen sailing towards Zakynthos, after having left Kyllini (8/2021).
The MARE DI LEVANTE seen sailing towards Zakynthos, after having left Kyllini (8/2021).