Trip: 3 September 2021. From Salamina to Perama, with the FANEROMENI of Panagia Faneromeni.
The double-ended ferry FANEROMENI was built in 2004 in Greece, as the PROTOPOROS of the newly-established Greek company Tsokos Lines, becoming their first-ever ship. She was deployed on the Oropos-Eretria line, becoming the first-ever double-ended ferry to operate on the line. She remained there until her sale in 2010 to the Salamina-based company Panagia Faneromeni. The latter was perceived as the successor company of the former operator Iera Moni Faneromenis, which was in fact the shipping company owned by the Holy Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni, which managed the operations of the ferries serving the Megara-Salamina line, next to which the Holy Monastery is located. The latter is a major place of worship in Salamina, and especially during late August when the feast of Panagia Faneromeni is celebrated. The old ferry company ceased operations in 2009, after selling their final landing craft, the AGIOS LAVRENTIOS FANEROMENI (built in 1997), to the Sierra Leonean company Afrimpex Navigation Company. She was renamed FANEROMENI and was deployed on the Perama-Salamina line in 2011. In 2012 she was sent to operate on the Megara-Salamina line. She stayed there until the end of the 2014 summer season, before returning to the Perama-Salamina line, where she has since been remaining.
With 18 years of service, the FANEROMENI has become an established double-ended ferry in Greece, and has become a strong presence in Salamina since joining her current owners. Her status as the first-ever double-ended ferry on the Oropos-Eretria line and as the first-ever ship of Tsokos Lines (which has since proceeded to order and deploy 15 more double-ended ferries) are a further proof that she has been an important double-ended ferry for the Greek coastal service. She now operates on the demanding and busy Perama-Salamina line, being one of the many double-ended ferries to serve the line. Moreover, she operates under the Agios Nikolaos Lines joint venture, which competes against the standard Salamina Ferries joint venture.
On 3 September 2021, I was still in Greece and waiting to head to London for my Master's degree later in the month. I decided to take advantage of my last few days in the country by traveling around various parts where I would be able to see several ships of the Greek coastal service. Of course, stopping by Salamina was an obvious choice, as the island has several ferries and small passenger ships that one can see and photograph. I headed there from Piraeus with the GEORGIOS BROUFAS of Broufas Vessels, for which I had already written a Tribute Post back when I traveled onboard her on 14 August 2020. As the small passenger ships operating to Piraeus had stopped service in the late afternoon, I decided to return to Athens via Perama, and therefore I proceeded to embark onboard the FANEROMENI. This was therefore my first trip on the Perama-Salamina line onboard a double-ended ferry for the 2021 season, and overall my sixth trip with a ferry at least to my knowledge (as I did head to Salamina in 2000, aged 1, presumably with a landing craft as there were few double-ended ferries back then). It was also my first-ever trip with a double-ended ferry previously owned by Tsokos Lines, and she became the third ferry amongst the 16 ships to have so far operated for Tsokos Lines at some point during their careers on which I embarked onboard. The other two were the PROTOPOROS XIII (built in 2017), on which I traveled on 21 July 2018 while making my way from Eretria to Oropos. The second one was the PROTOPOROS X (also built in 2017), on which I traveled on 3 August 2019, while also heading from Salamina to Perama.
A view of the FANEROMENI in the port of Paloukia in Salamina, shortly before I proceeded to embark onboard her. This was her seventh consecutive season on the Perama-Salamina line. It was also her eighth overall season on the line, as she also operated there during her debut season under Panagia Faneromeni in 2011.
I proceeded to embark onboard the FANEROMENI. Here is a view of her wide open garage, which passes under her accommodation superstructure. She also has side ramps which allow the passengers to take the staircases that lead to the accommodation superstructure. The bottom part of her accommodation superstructure features her name, which is written in Greek letters. Right above is the first deck of the accommodation superstructure, which features the ship's indoor lounge area. Finally, the upper deck of the accommodation superstructure features the ship's bridge.
A view of the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure, which passes right above the ship's garage. Once again, one can spot the ship's name written in Greek letters. Staircases on both sides of the ship lead to the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure.
A view of the starboard side alley in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure. It notably features a row of blue chairs attached to the floor and facing towards the sea.
Another view of the outdoor area in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure, which features additional rows of blue chairs which face the ship's garage and ramp.
I then had a look at the ship's indoor lounge area in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure. Here is a view of the ship's reception desk, which is covered with a glass protector that also happens to feature the ship's name, written in Greek, over a blue stripe.
Another view of the indoor lounge area in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure, with the central section featuring sets of red and pink lounge seats surrounding small wooden tables attached to the floor.
Another view of the indoor lounge area in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure, with the various sets of lounge seats located in the central section of the ship.
While heading towards the corner sections of the indoor lounge area in the lower deck of the accommodation superstructure, one can find sets of blue lounge seats, with most of them attached to the walls and next to the ship's windows.
I then proceeded to head to the middle deck of the ship's accommodation superstructure, which also features the crew's cabins. Additionally, it has several plastic blue chairs attached to the floor, all of which face the ship's garage and ramp.
Another view of the middle deck of the ship's accommodation superstructure, as seen from the other side of the ship, which was facing Perama. Once again, there were several plastic blue chairs attached to the floor and facing towards the sea.
Right upon embarking onboard the FANEROMENI, I saw one of the many double-ended ferries operating on the Perama-Salamina line, namely the PANAGIOTIS D of Evia Ferries, heading towards the port of Perama.
On the starboard side of the FANEROMENI, I saw that the SALAMINOMACHOS of Salaminomachos Lines was docked in the port of Paloukia in Salamina as well. Built in 2006, she was spending her first season on the Perama-Salamina line since 2019. Indeed, during the 2020 season, she had operated on the Rion-Antirrion line, which she also served back in 2013.
While the PANAGIOTIS D was heading towards Perama, another double-ended ferry, namely the DIMITRIOS P of Dimitrios P NE, was arriving in Salamina.
The SALAMINOMACHOS seen resting in Salamina. Except for the 2013 season and the 2020 season, she has spent her her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line.
The DIMITRIOS P seen heading towards Salamina, after having arrived from Perama. Built in 2000, she has spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line. She is the fifth double-ended ferry in the history of the Greek coastal service to have been built, and she is currently the ferry with the longest-serving stint on the Perama-Salamina line.
As the DIMITRIOS P was arriving towards Salamina, so was the small passenger ship GEORGIOS BROUFAS of Broufas Vessels, which had arrived from Piraeus.
Right behind the DIMITRIOS P and the GEORGIOS BROUFAS, I saw the double-ended ferry THEOMITOR of Athinais Lines arriving towards Salamina as well.
On the port side of the FANEROMENI, which was now departing the port of Paloukia in Salamina in order to head to Perama, was the double-ended ferry MATOULA K of Salaminia Ferries-K Star.
The MATOULA K seen in Salamina at 18:50, just as the FANEROMENI was leaving in order to begin her trip to Perama. Built in 2006, the MATOULA K has also spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line, with the exception of the 2013 season and of the 2018 season, when she operated on the Rion-Antirrion line.
The DIMITRIOS P having just docked in Salamina, while the FANEROMENI is leaving in order to head to Perama.
A view of the MATOULA K, one of the most beautiful double-ended ferries to have been built in Greece. This was her third consecutive season on the Perama-Salamina line, having returned there in 2019 after having spent the 2018 season on the Rion-Antirrion line.
The DIMITRIOS P seen docked in Salamina. I notably traveled onboard her more than two years before this picture was taken. Indeed, I sailed with her on 28 July 2019, while heading from Salamina to Perama. She therefore became the first double-ended ferry built during the 2000s on which I embarked onboard while traveling between Perama and Salamina. The second ship built during that same decade on which I traveled proved to be the FANEROMENI, which was built four years after the DIMITRIOS P.
Another view of the SALAMINOMACHOS as she is seen docked in Salamina, with the evening sunset spotted right above her.
The MATOULA K seen docked in Salamina. She is currently one of the two double-ended ferries that are part of the fleet of Salamina Ferries-K Star, with the other one being the KONSTANTINOS K. The latter spent the 2021 season on the Rion-Antirrion line, where she had also operated back in 2017.
Another view of the veteran double-ended ferry DIMITRIOS P in Salamina, where she had just docked.
One more view of the MATOULA K while she is resting in Salamina.
As we started to leave Salamina, I spotted two other double-ended ferries docked right next to the SALAMINOMACHOS. Indeed, these were the GLYKOFILOUSA IV of Panagia Glykofilousa NE and the EMPEDOKLIS of Aianteiaki NE.
Another view of the DIMITRIOS P in Salamina, as she was completing the twenty-second season of her career on the Perama-Salamina line.
The SALAMINOMACHOS seen resting in Salamina, right next to several other double-ended ferries.
At the same time, the THEOMITOR was continuing her course towards her docking spot in Salamina. Built in 2004, she has spent the entirety of her career on the Perama-Salamina line, with the exception of the 2015 season, when she was deployed on the Rion-Antirrion line.
The DIMITRIOS P and the MATOULA K are docked in Salamina, and watch as the THEOMITOR is preparing to dock right in between them.
Another view of the GLYKOFILOUSA IV, along with the CHRYSA of Farmakoris-Villiotis NE, the EMPEDOKLIS and the SALAMINOMACHOS.
A bit further towards the port of Paloukia in Salamina, I saw the small pier where the small passenger ships dock. Most of them serve the Perama-Salamina line, in addition to the ones operating on the Piraeus-Salamina line. There were also many ships usually operating on the Thermaic Gulf that were undergoing their winter refit or were permanently laid-up. There, I saw the POSEIDON of Poseidon Waterways, the ARTEMIS of Artemis SNE, the AFRICANA of Thessaloniki Cruises, the PETROULA of Petroula Speedline, the SALAMIS EXPRESS III of Salamis Express and the PANAGIA of Panagia Thalassini NE.
The next double-ended ferry that I happened to see was the GLYKOFILOUSA V of Panagia Glykofilousa NE. Built in 2017, she has so far spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line.
The GLYKOFILOUSA V seen heading towards Salamina, during her fifth season on the Perama-Salamina. She is a sister ship of the GLYKOFILOUSA IV, and she was also the sixth ship to have been built for her company, as the latter had also built the FILOTHEOS in 2011. The latter has been operating as the THASSOS II of ANETH Ferries on the Keramoti-Thassos line since 2012.
A view of the GLYKOFILOUSA V as she heads to Salamina.
The GLYKOFILOUSA V seen right before she passed by us. She is one of the largest and most modern double-ended ferries in Greece.
The GLYKOFILOUSA V having passed by us and continuing her trip to Salamina.
As the FANEROMENI continued her trip to Perama, I notably saw the floating drydocks found in the latter. On the PIRAEUS II Drydock (also known as the Small Perama Drydock), I saw the high speed ferry POWER JET of Sea Jets. She was forced to head for drydock as a result of an engine failure in late August, which forced her to briefly interrupt her service on the Heraklion-Santorini-Ios-Naxos-Paros-Mykonos line, where she was spending her second season. Despite this engine failure, she had a very successful season, and was considered to be the best ship on the Heraklion-Cyclades service that year.
Facing the floating drydocks of Perama was the Spanopoulos Shipyard in Salamina, which features several ships of all kinds which are either undergoing repairs or remaining laid-up. There, I saw two notable ferries. Indeed, the first one was the small conventional ferry SYMI of ANES Ferries, which had prematurely ended her 2021 season on the Agios Konstantinos-Glyfa-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos line on the Sporades after suffering a major engine failure. The ship, built in 1974 in Greece, had spent her fourth summer under ANES Ferries on the Sporades, while also had another stint under the same company between 2005 and 2008 on the Rhodes-Symi line on the Dodecanese. Next to her was a double-ended ferry that had made her return to Greece after six years, namely the PROTOPOROS VI of Thassos Link. As suggested by her name, she also happens to be a double-ended ferry previously owned by Tsokos Lines, as she became the sixth ship to join the company back when she was built in 2012. As she entered service two years after the FANEROMENI left Tsokos Lines, the two ships never operated under the latter at the same time as fleetmates. The PROTOPOROS VI spent three years on the Arkitsa-Aidipsos line on the North Evoian Gulf under Tsokos Lines, before being sold in 2015 to the Russian company Proekt CJSC. She was renamed POBEDA and was deployed on the Kavkaz-Port Krym line on the Kerch Strait. After the opening of the Kerch Strait Bridge in 2018, she was laid-up in Kerch in early 2019, and remained there until she was sold in 2021 to Thassos Link. While she was due to be renamed STELIOS FILIAGKOS, she instead reverted to her former name. She is due to enter service on the Keramoti-Thassos line in the upcoming months.
A view of the SYMI and of the PROTOPOROS VI in the Spanopoulos Shipyard in Salamina. Both ships were built Greece, albeit with a 38-year gap. The SYMI notably spent the first 31 years of her career on the Saronic Gulf, first as the MARIA of Mavroïdis and Company (1974-1981) and then as the EFTYCHIA under Lefakis Shipping (1981-1999) and under Minoan Flying Dolphins/Hellas Flying Dolphins (1999-2005). As the latter was rebranded as Hellenic Seaways in 2005, the EFTYCHIA was sold to ANES Ferries for whom she began service as the SYMI on the Rhodes-Symi line. Between her two stints under ANES Ferries, she also operated for the Greek company Sea Dreams for 10 years (2008-2018). After her service on the Sporades was halted due to her engine failure, she was replaced by her fleetmate, the AGIOS NEKTARIOS AEGINAS, which usually operates on the Piraeus-Aegina line. As for the PROTOPOROS VI, she became the third Greek double-ended ferry previously sold overseas to return to a Greece for further deployment. Despite having the name STELIOS FILIAGKOS written underneath her accommodation superstructure, it appears that her official name will continue to be PROTOPOROS VI. By entering service for Thassos Link, she will officially become the successor of the original STELIOS FILIAGKOS, which had been sold in late 2019 to the Croatian company Jadrolinija (for whom she has been operating as the FAROS).
Just as we were approaching the double-ended ferry terminal in the port of Perama, I spotted the AIAKOS of Evangelos NE having departed for Salamina.
The AIAKOS seen just after she left Perama, in order to head to Salamina. She was built in Greece in 2002, and has so far spent her entire career on the Perama-Salamina line. After the DIMITRIOS P, she is the ship with the second longest current tenure on the line.
The AIAKOS seen as she heads from Perama to Salamina. She was built two years before the FANEROMENI, and is therefore one of the most experienced double-ended ferries in Greece.
The AIAKOS seen as she leaves Perama for Salamina.
One last view of the AIAKOS, as she sails towards Salamina.
At about 19:00, the FANEROMENI was about to dock in Perama. There, I got to see the PROTOPOROS XI of Tsokos Lines. Built in 2019, she operates for the former owners of the FANEROMENI, having spent all her seasons so far on the Perama-Salamina line.
The PROTOPOROS XI seen in Perama, during the third season of her career.
The PROTOPOROS XI seen docked in Perama. Being far larger and featuring wider outdoor decks than the FANEROMENI, the ex-PROTOPOROS, she goes on to show how Tsokos Lines has developed its fleet ever since ordering their first-ever ship back in 2004.
The PROTOPOROS XI seen as she is resting in Perama. Despite her name, she is the fourteenth ship built for Tsokos Lines, as the PROTOPOROS XIII was built in 2017, whereas the PROTOPOROS XII (known as the SEA STAR I of the Tanzanian company Zan Fast Ferries since 2019) and the PROTOPOROS XIV were built in 2018.
The PROTOPOROS XI was also seen in Perama alongside the PANAGIOTIS D, next to which the FANEROMENI intended to dock.
Another view of the impressive PROTOPOROS XI in Perama.
The PROTOPOROS XI and the PANAGIOTIS D seen in Perama, as the FANEROMENI was preparing to dock right next to them.
A view of the PANAGIOTIS D in Perama, just as the FANEROMENI was preparing to dock right next to her. She was spending her first season on the Perama-Salamina line since 2017, which was the year during which she was built. After her debut season, she operated on the Glyfa-Agiokampos line on the North Evoian Gulf during the summer of 2018, followed by two seasons on the Rion-Antirrion line.
After the FANEROMENI docked in Perama, I immediately disembarked, which signified the end of a short trip which nevertheless was very enjoyable. Here is the ship in Perama, although the sun prevented me from having a cleaner picture.
This therefore concludes this post, which depicted a nice trip onboard a classic Greek double-ended ferry that provides reliable service for her current owners. Despite being now one of the oldest ships on the Perama-Salamina line, the FANEROMENI remains a worthy ferry and performs her job effectively. I was also able to enjoy my trip onboard her as I also saw many other prominent ferries of Salamina and Perama, including two ships that went on to operate for her original owners, namely Tsokos Lines. Seeing these two ships and how they indicate an evolution of the 'Protoporos' brandname, one can only refer to the original ship of the group, which remains a strong presence in Salamina. It was a nice experience which also concluded yet another visit in Salamina, an island that I have now visited for four consecutive summers just for the sake of watching the ships that connect it with mainland Greece.
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