In the wake of the tugboat “MSC Dragon”, the ferry “GNV Aries” makes its last trip on its way to scrapping in Aliaga (Turkey), after a stop in Piraeus, according to Italian maritime media. Since May 2021, it has flown the Italian flag and the NGV password, together with its twin “GNV Antares” and has covered the Naples-Palermo line.
Construction number 265 of the Govan Shipbuilders Ltd. shipyard, Glasgow factory, entered service in May 1987 with the name “Norsea” and password of North Sea Ferries on the Hull-Rotterdam line.
In October 2002 it entered the service of P&O Ferries and in January 2003 it was renamed “Pride of York”, a stage in which it maintained its presence on the English Channel lines. In October of that year it was registered in the name of P&O North Sea Ferries Ltd.
In April 2021 it was sold to the Cypriot company Pride Ferries Shipping Ltd. and in May of that year it was flagged in Italy with the new name “GNV Aries”.
Of 31,785 gross tons and 6,545 deadweight tons, it measures 179.20 m overall length, 25.40 m beam and 6.13 m draft. It has an accommodation capacity of 1,258 passengers, of which 1,124 in cabins and a garage for 2,250 linear meters and 850 cars. It is powered by four Wärtsilä engines with a total power of 18,390 kW on two axles and maintained a speed of 19 knots. IMO 8501957.
Photo: Dogan (shipspotting.com)
