Dionisios Solomos (ship)

Dionisios Solomos off Piraeus
History
Name	(1990–1999): Royal Kawanoe (1999–present): Dionisios Solomos
Owner	(1990–1999): Shikoku Chuo Ferry (1999–2025): Zante Ferries (A.M.N.E.Z.) (2025–present): Fast Ferries
Operator	(1990–1999): Shikoku Chuo Ferry (1999–2025): Zante Ferries (2025–present): Fast Ferries
Port of registry	Piraeus, Greece
Route	Piraeus – Serifos – Sifnos – Milos – Kimolos – Folegandros – Sikinos – Ios – Santorini
Builder	Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corp (Mizushima Works & Shipyard), Japan
Yard number	1098
Laid down	20 October 1989
Launched	8 February 1990
Completed	June 1990
Acquired	1999 (by Zante Ferries)
Maiden voyage	June 1990
In service	June 1990
Identification	IMO number: 8909886
Status	In service
Notes	Named after the Greek poet Dionysios Solomos
General characteristics (as rebuilt)
Tonnage	4,530 GT 2,560 DWT
Length	115.63 m (379 ft 4 in) 121.53 m (398 ft 9 in) (LOA)
Beam	21.0 m (68 ft 11 in)
Draft	4.50 m (14 ft 9 in)
Ramps	2 stern ramps
Installed power	2 × Pielstick 8PC2-6L diesel engines (8,826 kW / 12,000 BHP)
Propulsion	Twin screw
Speed	19.0 knots (service) 19.5 knots (max)
Capacity	1,100 passengers 280 cars or 65 trucks
Notes	Lane metres: 615 m

Dionisios Solomos is a ferry belonging to the Greek shipping company Fast Ferries. Launched on 8 February 1990 at the Sanoyas Shipyard in Mizushima, the ferry was originally named Royal Kawanoe. Following its delivery to Shikoku Chuo Ferry on 25 June, it commenced operations later that month, servicing routes between Niihama, Kawanoe, Kobe, and Osaka. Since 2024 it belongs to Fast Ferries.

Service

The ferry, launched on 8 February 1990 at Sanoyas Shipyard in Mizushima as Royal Kawanoe , was delivered to Shikoku Chuo Ferry on 25 June, and began service in the same month on the Niihama, Kawanoe, Kobe and Osaka routes.

In 1998, with the closure of the route, the ferry was put up for sale and, in 1999, it was purchased by the newly founded Zante Ferries. The ferry was then moved to the shipyard in Perama, where it underwent major renovation and transformation works in preparation for its new European use. Once the works were completed, it was renamed Dionisios Solomos and began service on the routes between Killini and Zakynthos.

In 2001, with the participation of Zante Ferries in the new joint venture Ionian Ferries, it was transferred to the connections between Killini and Kefalonia .

In the summer seasons 2004 and 2013 it was used on the connections between Patras, Kefalonia and Ithaca. In 2015, with the cessation of the activities of Ionian Ferries and the birth of the new joint venture Ionian Group, it returned to operate on this route during the high season. It was subsequently replaced on the route by the Ionian Star, returning in 2016 to operate on the connections between Killini and the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia .

In 2017, in view of the transfer to the Aegean, she underwent major refitting works in Keratsini, during which the stern was modified and the bow completely rebuilt.

Once the works were completed, she took service on the routes between Piraeus, Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos, Kimolos, Folegandros, Sikinos and Ios, joining the Adamantios Korais. In 2019, a final stopover in Santorini was added.

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 Adamantios Korais. With the new livery fitted, the ferry returned to operate on its route.

Accidents and Incidents

On 20 July 2017, during the midday hours, Dionysios Solomos struck the pier at the port of Livadi in Serifos during mooring maneuvers. The impact caused a structural dent and a hull breach on the vessel's transom (stern area) above the waterline, while also resulting in damage to the pier itself.

The ferry, which was executing a scheduled itinerary from Piraeus to Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos, and Milos, safely docked at the port. No injuries or marine pollution were reported from the incident.

The Serifos Port Authority, conducting the preliminary investigation, issued a detention order for the Dionysios Solomos until a class maintenance and seaworthiness certificate is issued by its classification society. The shipowner assumed responsibility for rerouting the passengers to their final destinations.