Adamantios Korais (ship)

Adamantios Korais in Lavrion
History
Name	(1987–1999): Visuva (1999–2007): Kyushu (2007–present): Adamantios Korais
Namesake	named after Greek literary critic Adamantios Korais
Owner	(1987–1999): Higashi Nihon Ferry (1999–2007): Kyu-Shi Ferry / Kyushu Orange Ferry (2007–2025): Zante Ferries (A.M.N.E.Z.) (2025–present): Fast Ferries
Operator	(1987–1999): Higashi Nihon Ferry (1999–2007): Kyu-Shi Ferry (2007–2025): Zante Ferries (2025–present): Fast Ferries
Port of registry	(1987–2007): Japan (2007–present): Piraeus, Greece
Route	Alexandroupolis – Samothraki – Lemnos
Builder	Naikai Zosen (Setoda, Japan)
Yard number	518
Launched	1987
Completed	March 1987
Acquired	2007 (by Zante Ferries)
Maiden voyage	1987
In service	1987
Identification	IMO number: 8613607 Call sign: SWKJ MMSI number: 239386000
Status	In service
Notes	Underwent a massive reconstruction and total superstructure redesign at Perama following her acquisition from Japan in 2007
General characteristics (following 2007 Perama rebuild)
Tonnage	2,633 GT 695 DWT
Length	100.15 m (328 ft 7 in)
Beam	17.20 m (56 ft 5 in)
Draft	5.2 m (17 ft 1 in)
Installed power	2 × Daihatsu 6DLM-28S diesel engines (4,413 kW / 6,000 BHP)
Propulsion	Twin screw
Speed	17.5 knots (service) 19.5 knots (max)
Capacity	1,050 passengers 180 cars

Adamantios Korais is a ferry owned by the Greek shipping company Fast Ferries. Built in March 1987 at the Naikai Shipbuilders yard in Setoda, Japan, the vessel was originally delivered to Higashi Nihon Ferry under the name Visuva. In 2024 it was acquired by Fast Ferries from Zante Ferries.

Service

The ferry, built in 1987 at Naikai Shipbuilders in Setoda as Visuva (びすば), was delivered in March to Higashi Nihon Ferry in Japan and began service on the Aomori - Hakodate route on 1 June. In 1999 she was sold to Kyushi Ferry Boat and, renamed Kyushu, took service on the Yawatahama - Usuki route replacing the Hayabusa.

In 2003, with the bankruptcy of the shipping company, it was transferred to Kyushi Orange Ferry KK and, after undergoing major renovations, returned to service on its route in 2004.

On 6 August 2007, with the entry into the fleet of the new Orange Kyushu, she was sold to the newly formed Zante Ferries, rejoining her sister ship Vena, which had also been purchased by the Greek company. The ferry, renamed Adamantios Korais, was then transferred, first to Zakynthos, and subsequently to Drapetsona and Salamina, where she underwent major renovation and transformation works in view of her new employment in the Aegean, during which the interiors were completely renovated and the stern rebuilt. Once the works were completed, on 23 December 2008 she began service on the connections between Piraeus, Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini.

In 2009, the ferry, the company's flagship, was transferred to the connections between Piraeus, Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos, Kimolos, Folegandros, Sikinos, Ios and Santorini. From 2010 to 2014, as part of a joint venture between Zante Ferries and Ventouris Sea Lines, it operated in tandem with Georgios, under the banner of Cyclades Ferries. In 2020, after about 10 years of service between the Western Cyclades, it was transferred to the connections between Samothrace, Alexandroupoli and Limnos.

On 6 December 2024, with the acquisition of Zante Ferries by Fast Ferries, it was transferred under the new owner's company's livery together with Dionisios Solomos. Having fitted the new livery, the ferry returned to operate on the routes between Alexandroupoli - Samothrace - Lemnos and Agios Efstratios.