You are in: HOME > COMPANIES 2.0 > VENTOURIS LINES > F/B METHODIA (1994-1996)

F/B METHODIA

Photo © George Giannakis, Piraeus, 17/09/1994 #6238

 

 

 

Delivered to Agapitos Bros company in 1972, was one of the consistent number of ferries built in Greece during that period, when Greek operators started  ordering ferries to Greek shipyards to cater the Greek islands’ transportation needs.

 

As often happens in Greece with family-owned shipping companies, even Agapitos was parted between brothers and cousins at the end of 1992; the KYKLADES was assigned to Kostas Agapitos’s Agapitos Express Ferries, renamed EXPRESS EVOIKOS, and obviously operating out of Rafina to Evia island, intended to call at Marmari and Karistos.

 

After only a season, the ferry was sold to Ventouris Lines, which aimed to grew its presence in Argosaronic islands market, and renamed METHODIA, probably after the Greek Orthodox church of Agia Methodia in Kimolos island, which is Ventouris family’s home island. I don’t have exact datas about it, but I’m almost sure that Ventouris Lines had renovated her interiors and upgraded the air-conditioning facilities; surprisingly, that time the stern ramps for foot passengers were removed, so that they had to board the ship via the stern vehicle ramp.

 

Even if the METHODIA was well appreciated by the public, Ventouris Lines soon ran in financial troubles, and the ship, as all her fleet mates, was laid up in Piraeus area by the end of 1995, remaining idle till her sale by auction to her former company, Agapitos Express Ferries, which renamed her as the EXPRESS DANAE and rerouted the ferry on Saronikos routes.

 

The EXPRESS DANAE was sold to Minoan Flying Dolphins in 1999, maintaining her name and service even under her new Saronikos Ferries colours, till her sale to Turkey in September 2004; renamed ERKE, was finally sold for scrap after 14 years, in June 2018.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

 

 

AGAPITOS BROS – Kyklades (1972-1993)

 

 

 

AGAPITOS EXPRESS FERRIES – Express Evoikos (1993-1994)

 

 

 

VENTOURIS LINES – Methodia (1994-1996)

 

 

 

AGAPITOS EXPRESS FERRIES – Express Danae (1996-1999)

 

 

 

SARONIKOS FERRIES – Express Danae (1999-2004)

 

 

 

PASTEL HOLDINGS – Erke (2004-2018)

 

 

VENTOURIS LINES                                    HOME