MV Nova Star
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner |
|
| Operator |
|
| Port of registry | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Route | |
| Ordered | 2008 |
| Builder | Singapore Technologies Shipbuilding, Singapore |
| Laid down | 2008 |
| Launched | 8 October 2009 |
| Christened | 2011 |
| Completed | 2011 |
| Acquired | 2014 |
| Maiden voyage | 15 May 2014[1] |
| In service | 2014–2015 |
| Identification |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 27,444 GT 4,145 DWT |
| Length | 161 m (528 ft) |
| Beam | 26 m (85 ft) |
| Draught | 6.05 m (19.8 ft) |
| Ramps | 1 bow ramp;
2 stern ramp on deck 3 and 5; 1 tiltable ramp connecting Deck 3 to Deck 5 |
| Installed power | 4× MAN Diesel 10L32/44CR Diesel engines, 22,400 kW (30,000 hp) total[2] |
| Propulsion | 2 shafts, 2 controllable pitch propellers |
| Speed | 21.4 kn (24.6 mph; 39.6 km/h)[2] |
| Capacity | 1,215 |
MV Nova Star is a Ropax cruiseferry, currently operating between Poland and Scandinavia under the ownership of Polferries.
Construction and service history
[edit]The vessel was built by ST Marine in Singapore for LD Lines, which signed a $179 million contract for the vessel in 2007.[2] She was intended to operate in the English Channel, but her contract was canceled in 2011 before she could take her maiden voyage to France.[2]
Initially named Norman Leader, the vessel remained under the ownership of her builder, ST Marine, until being acquired by Nova Star Cruises in 2014 and renamed MV Nova Star for the Gulf of Maine service. She ran seasonal operations between Portland, Maine, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, under Nova Star Cruises for two seasons. Following the decision not to renew Nova Star Cruises' license to operate the service at the end of the 2015 season, Nova Star Cruises subsequently closed and Gulf of Maine operations were taken over by Bay Ferries, which has previously operated ferries in the region prior to Nova Star Cruises.
Once her Gulf of Maine service ended, Nova Star was purchased by the Moroccan company Inter Shipping. Following her arrival in Algeciras in February 2016, it was made apparent that Nova Star's bow ramp was too short to operate the service, therefore delaying her entry into service. She eventually began operating between Algeciras, Spain and Tangier, Morocco under the ownership and operation of Inter Shipping. She ran this route until 2018, when she was then purchased by Polferries, who currently operate her on the route between Poland and Scandinavia.
Vessel technical details
[edit]Nova Star is an average-sized cruiseferry. Its dimensions are 161 m (528 ft) length by 25 m (82 ft) width. The vessel is capable of a top speed of 21 kn (39 km/h), and weighs roughly 27,450 GT.
The vessel has 163 cabins and a capacity of 827 passengers. She can carry 336 car-equivalents and/or 38 commercial vehicles (semi-trailer rigs or buses) and commensurately fewer cars.[3]
Recorded videos during service in Polferries
[edit]The ferry has been featured in numerous videos showcasing the crew's work on it. The most popular ones include videos recorded by Robert Makłowicz[4] and Iwona Blecharczyk[5]. Apart from Polish Journalists and Youtubers, the ferry was also recorded the opening of first episod of the fifth sesaon of The Grand Tour[6], featuring the popular trio Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May.
Services on board
[edit]Restaurants and café
- Piano Bar, deck 7
- Piper’s Pub, deck 7
- Restaurant a’la carte, deck 7
- Nova Star Buffet (Cafeteria), deck 7
- Bar, deck 7
- Grill Bar, deck 8 (sesonal)
- Seaglass Café, deck 9
Other services
- Shop, deck 7
- Reception, deck 7
- Children’s playground, deck 7
- Nova Center (disco), deck 7
- Arcade, deck 7
- Casino, deck 7
- Massage, deck 9
References
[edit]- ^ Tina Comeau (May 15, 2014). "Nova Star's making its maiden voyage Thursday evening". The Vanguard. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Portland-Nova Scotia ferry departs from Singapore". Portland Press Herald. March 15, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
- ^ Tom Bell (2014-01-02). "Lack of key details holds up new ferry service marketing". kjonline.com. Retrieved 2014-02-02.
- ^ Robert Makłowicz (2021-03-05). ROBERT MAKŁOWICZ SZWECJA odc.33 "Promem do Szwecji.". Retrieved 2025-08-08 – via YouTube. English subtitles.
- ^ Iwona Blecharczyk (2022-06-26). Płynę promem Polferries do Szwecji!!! On the ferry to Sweden! Iwona Blecharczyk. Retrieved 2025-08-08 – via YouTube. English subtitles.
- ^ LeoBonhart (2023-06-16). Opening Scene I The Grand Tour I Season 5 I Eurocrash. Retrieved 2025-08-08 – via YouTube.
External links
[edit]- https://polferries.com (official website)