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⚫ {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Redirect|Pearl of Scandinavia|the cruise ship|MS Pearl of Scandinavia (1982)}} {{Redirect|Pearl of Scandinavia|the cruise ship|MS Pearl of Scandinavia (1982)}}
{{Redirect|Star Aquarius|the similarly named SuperStar Aquarius|SuperStar Aquarius}} {{Redirect|Star Aquarius|the similarly named SuperStar Aquarius|SuperStar Aquarius}}
{{redirect|MS Athena (1989)|other ships|Athena (disambiguation)}}
⚫ {{Use dmy dates|date = February 2019}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} {|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image {{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=Pearl Seaways Oslo.jpg |Ship image = Pearl Seaways Oslo.jpg
|Ship caption=MS ''Pearl Seaways'' departing ], Norway (2015). |Ship caption = MS ''Pearl Seaways'' departing ], Norway (2015).
}} }}
{{Infobox ship career {{Infobox ship career
|Hide header= |Hide header =
|Ship name=*1989–1993: ''Athena'' |Ship name = *1989–1993: ''Athena''
*1993: ''Star Aquarius'' *1993: ''Star Aquarius''
*1993–2001: ''Langkapuri Star Aquarius'' *1993–2001: ''Langkapuri Star Aquarius''
*2001: ''Aquarius'' *2001: ''Aquarius''
*2001–2011: ''Pearl of Scandinavia'' *2001–2011: ''Pearl of Scandinavia''
*2011 onwards: ''Pearl Seaways'' *2011-2025: ''Pearl Seaways''
*2025-today:''Nordic Pearl''
|Ship owner=*1989–1993: ] |Ship owner = *1989–1993: ]
*1993–2001: ] *1993–2001: ]
*2001 onwards: ] ]<ref name=FoF>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/athena_1989.htm |title=M/S ''Athena'' (1989) |accessdate=8 April 2008 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref> *2001-2024: ] ]<ref name=FoF>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/athena_1989.htm |title=M/S ''Athena'' (1989) |access-date=8 April 2008 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish |archive-date=30 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730134130/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/athena_1989.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*2024 onward: ]
|Ship operator=*1989–1993: Rederi AB Slite (in ] traffic) |Ship operator = *1989–1993: Rederi AB Slite (in ] traffic)
*1993–2001: ] *1993–2001: ]
*2001 onwards: ] ]<ref name=FoF /> *2001-2024: ] ]<ref name=FoF />
*2024 onwards: ]
|Ship registry=*1989–1993: ], {{flag|Sweden}} |Ship registry = *1989–1993: ], {{flag|Sweden}}
*1993–2001: ], {{flag|Panama}} *1993–2001: ], {{flag|Panama}}
*2001 onwards: ], {{flag|Denmark}}<ref name=FoF /> *2001 onwards: ], {{flag|Denmark}}<ref name=FoF />
|Ship route=]–] (as of 2009) |Ship route = ]–]–] (as of 2020)
|Ship ordered= |Ship ordered =
|Ship builder=] ], ], ]<ref name=FoF /> |Ship builder = ] ], ], ]<ref name=FoF />
|Ship original cost= |Ship original cost =
|Ship yard number=1297<ref name=FoF /> |Ship yard number = 1297<ref name=FoF />
|Ship way number= |Ship way number =
|Ship laid down=27 May 1988<ref name=DNV>{{csr|register=DNV|id=15475|shipname=Pearl Seaways|accessdate=21 April 2018}}</ref> |Ship laid down = 27 May 1988<ref name=DNV>{{csr|register=DNV|id=15475|shipname=Pearl Seaways|access-date=21 April 2018}}</ref>
|Ship launched=22 October 1988<ref name=FoF /> |Ship launched = 22 October 1988<ref name=FoF />
|Ship completed= |Ship completed =
|Ship christened= |Ship christened =
|Ship acquired=18 April 1989<ref name=FoF /> |Ship acquired = 18 April 1989<ref name=FoF />
|Ship maiden voyage= |Ship maiden voyage =
|Ship in service=24 April 1989<ref name=FoF /> |Ship in service = 24 April 1989<ref name=FoF />
|Ship out of service= |Ship out of service =
|Ship identification={{IMO Number|8701674}}<ref name=FoF /> |Ship identification = {{IMO Number|8701674}}<ref name=FoF />
|Ship fate= |Ship fate =
|Ship status=In service |Ship status = In service
|Ship notes= |Ship notes =
}} }}
{{Infobox ship characteristics {{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header= |Hide header =
|Header caption=(as ''Athena'')<ref name=FoF /> |Header caption = (as ''Athena'')<ref name=FoF />
|Ship type=] |Ship type = ]
|Ship tonnage=*{{GT|40,012}} |Ship tonnage = *{{GT|40,012}}
*{{DWT|2,800}} *{{DWT|2,800}}
|Ship displacement= |Ship displacement =
|Ship length={{convert|176.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship length = {{convert|176.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|29.00|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship beam = {{convert|29.00|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship height= |Ship height =
|Ship draught={{convert|6.00|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship draught = {{convert|6.00|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth= |Ship depth =
|Ship decks= |Ship decks =
|Ship deck clearance= |Ship deck clearance =
|Ship ramps= |Ship ramps =
|Ship ice class=1A Super<ref name=DNV /> |Ship ice class = 1 A Super<ref name=DNV />
|Ship power=*4 × ]-] 9ZAL40S |Ship power = *4 × ]-] 9ZAL40S
*{{convert|23760|kW|abbr=on}} (combined) *{{convert|23760|kW|abbr=on}} (combined)
|Ship propulsion= |Ship propulsion =
|Ship speed={{convert|21.0|kn}} |Ship speed = {{convert|21.0|kn}}
|Ship capacity=*2,200 passengers |Ship capacity = *2,200 passengers
*2,394 berths *2,394 berths
*450 cars<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingline.fi/about/history/vessels/vessels_3.asp |title=Viking Line's Vessels – Vessels on the 1980's–2000's |accessdate=8 April 2008 |format= |publisher=Viking Line |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104124135/http://www.vikingline.fi/about/history/vessels/vessels_3.asp |archivedate=4 November 2009 |df= }}</ref> *450 cars<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vikingline.fi/about/history/vessels/vessels_3.asp |title=Viking Line's Vessels – Vessels on the 1980's–2000's |access-date=8 April 2008 |publisher=Viking Line |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104124135/http://www.vikingline.fi/about/history/vessels/vessels_3.asp |archive-date=4 November 2009 }}</ref>
|Ship crew= |Ship crew =
|Ship notes= |Ship notes =
}} }}
{{Infobox ship characteristics {{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header= |Hide header =
|Header caption=(as ''Langkapuri Star Aquarius'')<ref name=FoF /> |Header caption = (as ''Langkapuri Star Aquarius'')<ref name=FoF />
|Ship class= |Ship class =
|Ship tonnage={{GT|40,022}} |Ship tonnage = {{GT|40,022}}
|Ship displacement= |Ship displacement =
|Ship length= |Ship length =
|Ship beam= |Ship beam =
|Ship height= |Ship height =
|Ship draught= |Ship draught =
|Ship depth= |Ship depth =
|Ship decks= |Ship decks =
|Ship deck clearance= |Ship deck clearance =
|Ship ramps= |Ship ramps =
|Ship ice class= |Ship ice class =
|Ship power= |Ship power =
|Ship propulsion= |Ship propulsion =
|Ship capacity=*1,378 passengers |Ship capacity = *1,378 passengers
*1,378 berths *1,378 berths
|Ship crew= |Ship crew =
|Ship notes=Otherwise the same as above |Ship notes = Otherwise the same as above
}} }}
{{Infobox ship characteristics {{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header= |Hide header =
|Header caption=(as ''Pearl Seaways'')<ref name=DNV /> |Header caption = (as ''Pearl Seaways'')<ref name=DNV />
|Ship class= |Ship class =
|Ship tonnage={{GT|40,039}} |Ship tonnage = {{GT|40,039}}
|Ship displacement= |Ship displacement =
|Ship length={{convert|178.40|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship length = {{convert|178.40|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|29.61|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship beam = {{convert|29.61|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship height= |Ship height =
|Ship draught={{convert|6.22|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship draught = {{convert|6.22|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth={{convert|16.95|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship depth = {{convert|16.95|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship decks= |Ship decks =
|Ship deck clearance= |Ship deck clearance =
|Ship ramps= |Ship ramps =
|Ship ice class= |Ship ice class =
|Ship power= |Ship power =
|Ship propulsion= |Ship propulsion =
|Ship speed={{convert|21.2|kn}} |Ship speed = {{convert|21.2|kn}}
|Ship capacity=*2,200 passengers |Ship capacity = *2,200 passengers
*2,166 berths *2,166 berths
*350 cars *350 cars
*1,008 lanemeters<ref name=FoF /> *1,008 lanemeters<ref name=FoF />
|Ship crew= |Ship crew =
|Ship notes=Otherwise the same as above |Ship notes = Otherwise the same as above
}} }}
|} |}
⚫ '''MS ''Pearl Seaways''''' is a ] owned by ] and operated on their ]–]-] service. She was built in 1989 by ], ], for ] as '''MS ''Athena''''' for use in ] traffic. Between 1993 and 2001, she sailed as '''MS ''Langkapuri Star Aquarius'''''. From 2001 to 2011 she sailed as '''MS ''Pearl of Scandinavia'''''.


⚫ ''Pearl Seaways'' had a sister ship, '']''
⚫ '''MS ''Pearl Seaways''''' is a ] owned by ] and operated on their ]–] service. She was built in 1989 by ], ], for ] as '''MS ''Athena''''' for use in ] traffic. Between 1993 and 2001, she sailed as '''MS ''Langkapuri Star Aquarius'''''. From 2001 to 2011 she sailed as '''MS ''Pearl of Scandinavia'''''.

⚫ ''Pearl Seaways'' has a sister ship, '']''


==History== ==History==


===Viking Line service=== ===Viking Line service===
], ] between 1989 and 1993]] ], ] between 1989 and 1993]]
In the latter half of the 1980s owners of the rival shipping companies Viking Line and ] competed heavily for dominance on routes connecting ] to ], with 11 new builds delivered between 1985 and 1991. At this time, there was also a strong belief in growing of the cruise passenger market. In the latter half of the 1980s owners of the rival shipping companies Viking Line and ] competed heavily for dominance on routes connecting ] to ], with 11 new builds delivered between 1985 and 1991. At this time, there was also a strong belief in growing of the cruise passenger market.


In response to challenge from the other Viking Line partner ] and Silja's owners, Rederi AB Slite ordered two new builds from Wärtsilä Turku shipyard. The first of these was to be called MS ''Athena'', and she was planned to replace the aging {{MS|Diana II}} on the freight-dominant ]–] service. The ship was designed by ].<ref>Designs89 {{ISSN|0282-8901}}</ref> The authorities of Kapellskär failed to modernise their harbour to accommodate such a large ship, and when delivered in April 1989 the ship (which at the time of delivery was the largest cruiseferry in the world) was set on cruise traffic between ] and ], replacing the aged ]. Additional public spaces, such as an "amusement park" and a disco were built on her cardeck. Part of the cardeck was also used as a parking space for cruise passengers who came to Stockholm with their own cars. In response to challenge from the other Viking Line partner ] and Silja's owners, Rederi AB Slite ordered two new builds from ] ]. The first of these was to be called MS ''Athena'', and she was planned to replace the aging {{MS|Diana II}} on the freight-dominant ]–] service. The ship was designed by ].<ref>Designs89 {{ISSN|0282-8901}}</ref> The authorities of Kapellskär failed to modernise their harbour to accommodate such a large ship, and when delivered in April 1989 the ship (which at the time of delivery was the largest cruiseferry in the world) was set on cruise traffic between ] and ], replacing the aged ]. Additional public spaces, such as an "amusement park" and a disco were built on her cardeck. Part of the cardeck was also used as a parking space for cruise passengers who came to Stockholm with their own cars.


Apart from a fire in one of the cabins in May 1989, the Athena's service with Viking Line proved to be uneventful. In spring 1993, she made a test cruise from Stockholm to ]. Unfortunately at the same time her owners were experiencing notable financial difficulties and were forced to declare bankruptcy in April 1993. Athena continued serving with Viking Line until August of the same year, when she was laid up in Stockholm awaiting sale. ] and ] were both interested in her, and it was believed that the latter would be her new owner. In the end ]-based ] made a bid their competitors couldn't match. Apart from a fire in one of the cabins in May 1989, the Athena's service with Viking Line proved to be uneventful. In spring 1993, she made a test cruise from Stockholm to ]. Unfortunately at the same time her owners were experiencing notable financial difficulties and were forced to declare bankruptcy in April 1993. Athena continued serving with Viking Line until August of the same year, when she was laid up in Stockholm awaiting sale. ] and ] were both interested in her, and it was believed that the latter would be her new owner. In the end ]-based ] made a bid their competitors couldn't match.
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===Star Cruises service=== ===Star Cruises service===


In September 1993 Athena was renamed ''Star Aquarius'', re-flagged into ] and started her journey from the Baltic to ]. Between October and December she was rebuilt in ] dock, Singapore, as a ]. Her interior decorations were changed and her entire cardeck was altered into a huge casino. Her Viking Line-red hull was replaced with a dark blue one and the base of her funnel repainted blue, with a yellow star where Viking's logo had been. This readaptation of Viking Line's funnel colours remains Star Cruises' funnel colour scheme to this day. During the rebuilding her name was again changed, this time into ''Langkapuri Star Aquarius''. The ship was designed by ]. In 1994 the Langkapuri Star Aquarius begun cruising from Singapore (in practice the ships's name was often displayed as Star Aquarius in promotional material). In September 1993 Athena was renamed ''Star Aquarius'', re-flagged into ] and started her journey from the Baltic to ]. Between October and December she was rebuilt in ] dock, Singapore, as a ]. Her interior decorations were changed and her entire cardeck was altered into a huge casino. Her Viking Line-red hull was replaced with a dark blue one and the base of her funnel repainted blue, with a yellow star where Viking's logo had been. This readaptation of Viking Line's funnel colours remains Star Cruises' funnel colour scheme to this day. During the rebuilding her name was again changed, this time into ''Langkapuri Star Aquarius''. The ship was designed by ]. In 1994 the Langkapuri Star Aquarius begun cruising from Singapore (in practice the ships's name was often displayed as Star Aquarius in promotional material).


In 1998 her port of departure was changed into ], and around the same time she received Star Cruises' new white-hulled livery. The former carferry was never a particularly practical cruiseship however, and when Star Cruises started taking delivery of various newbuilds the Langkapuri Star Aquarius was placed for sale. Eventually she was sold to ] on 11 January 2001. In 1998 her port of departure was changed into ], and around the same time she received Star Cruises' new white-hulled livery. The former carferry was never a particularly practical cruise ship however, and when Star Cruises started taking delivery of various newbuilds the Langkapuri Star Aquarius was placed for sale. Eventually she was sold to ] on 11 January 2001.


===DFDS service=== ===DFDS service===
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In January 2002 the ship was again rebuilt, this time at Copenhagen, and again in January 2005 at ], ], Sweden. In October 2006 DFDS decided to drop the stop at Helsingborg in order to save fuel and pilot expenses. In January 2002 the ship was again rebuilt, this time at Copenhagen, and again in January 2005 at ], ], Sweden. In October 2006 DFDS decided to drop the stop at Helsingborg in order to save fuel and pilot expenses.


On 17 November 2010, a fire broke out in the car-deck of the ferry while en route from Oslo to Copenhagen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/50487-ferry-fire-caused-by-faulty-electric-car.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=18 November 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124020416/http://cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/50487-ferry-fire-caused-by-faulty-electric-car.html |archivedate=24 November 2010 |df= }}</ref><ref name="dr.dk">{{cite web | url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/brand-paa-oslo-baaden-forbliver-uopklaret | title=Brand på Oslo-båden forbliver uopklaret |publisher= ] |date=2011-03-11 |access-date=2019-03-03 |author= |quote= }}</ref> After a re-fit following the fire she was painted in DFDS new livery and renamed MS ''Pearl Seaways''. On 17 November 2010, a fire broke out in the car-deck of the ferry while en route from Oslo to Copenhagen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/50487-ferry-fire-caused-by-faulty-electric-car.html |title=Ferry fire caused by faulty electric car |access-date=18 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124020416/http://cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/50487-ferry-fire-caused-by-faulty-electric-car.html |archive-date=24 November 2010 }}</ref><ref name="dr.dk">{{cite web | url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/brand-paa-oslo-baaden-forbliver-uopklaret | title=Brand på Oslo-båden forbliver uopklaret |publisher= ] |date=2011-03-11 |access-date=2019-03-03 |author= |quote= }}</ref> After a re-fit following the fire she was painted in DFDS new livery and renamed MS ''Pearl Seaways''.


Pearl hosts hundreds of homeless people for ].<ref name="bt.dk">{{cite web | url=https://www.bt.dk/danmark/se-billederne-over-300-hjemloese-holdt-julefrokost-paa-oslobaaden | title=Se billederne: Over 300 hjemløse holdt julefrokost på Oslobåden |publisher=] |date=2013-12-17 |access-date=2019-03-03 |author= |quote= }}</ref> In an unusual tradition for a passenger ship, the ''Pearl Seaways'' hosts a traditional ], and is open for homeless people.<ref name="bt.dk">{{cite web | url=https://www.bt.dk/danmark/se-billederne-over-300-hjemloese-holdt-julefrokost-paa-oslobaaden | title=Se billederne: Over 300 hjemløse holdt julefrokost på Oslobåden |publisher=] |date=2013-12-17 |access-date=2019-03-03 |author= |quote= }}</ref>


In 2018, an 11kV/2MW ] kit was added to Pearl at ] shipyard. After testing, Pearl started official shorepower operation in Oslo on 1st March 2019,<ref name="maritimedanmark.dk">{{cite web | url=https://maritimedanmark.dk/Mobil/?Id=40414 | title=Pearl Seaways på landstrøm i OsloPearl Seaways på landstrøm i Oslo |date=2019-03-01 |access-date=2019-03-03 |author= |quote= }}</ref> for a potential 2.6 GWh consumption per year.<ref name="oslohavn.no">{{cite web | url=https://www.oslohavn.no/filestore/Brosjyrer_og_rapporter/Kortversjonlandstrmengelsk2013.pdf | title= 2013 Port of Oslo - Action plan for onshore power supply - Kortversjonlandstrmengelsk2013.pdf |date=2012 |access-date=2019-03-03 |author= |quote= }}</ref> In 2016, the ship hosted an ] conference onboard while in ], ], which included a speech by the ] Secretary-General ].<ref name="Hagen">{{cite book |last=Hagen |first=John |date=2017 |title=Implementing E-Navigation |publisher=Artech House Publishers |page=1 |isbn=9781630814922}}</ref>
In 2018, an 11kV/2MW ] kit was added to ''Pearl Seaways'' at ] shipyard. After testing, ''Pearl Seaways'' started official shorepower operation in Oslo on 1 March 2019,<ref name="maritimedanmark.dk">{{cite web | url=https://maritimedanmark.dk/Mobil/?Id=40414 | title=Pearl Seaways på landstrøm i OsloPearl Seaways på landstrøm i Oslo |date=2019-03-01 |access-date=2019-03-03 |author= |quote= }}</ref> for a potential 2.6 GWh consumption per year.<ref name="oslohavn.no">{{cite web | url=https://www.oslohavn.no/filestore/Brosjyrer_og_rapporter/Kortversjonlandstrmengelsk2013.pdf | title= 2013 Port of Oslo - Action plan for onshore power supply - Kortversjonlandstrmengelsk2013.pdf |date=2012 |access-date=2019-03-03 |author= |quote= }}</ref>

In the summer of 2020 and after a 46-year break ] was introduced as a stop on the route in both directions.

In June 2024, it was announced that DFDS had sold the route between Copenhagen and Oslo and also the two ships assigned to the route, Pearl Seaways and Crown Seaways, were taken over by the Swedish shipping company, Gotlandsbolaget. The line and the ships will eventually receive new names and significant upgrades.


==See also== ==See also==
*] *]



==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
{{commonscat-inline|IMO 8701674}} {{commons category-inline|IMO 8701674}}
* *
* {{sv icon}} * {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120730134130/http://www.faktaomfartyg.nu/athena_1989.htm |date=30 July 2012 }} {{in lang|sv}}



{{s-start}} {{s-start}}
{{succession box|before=]|title=World's Largest ]|years=1989|after=]}} {{succession box|before=]|title=World's largest ]|years=1989|after=]}}
{{s-end}} {{s-end}}


{{DFDS}} {{DFDS}}
{{Viking Line ships}} {{Viking Line ships}}
{{Star Cruises}}
{{Danish Ferry Operators}} {{Danish Ferry Operators}}


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] ]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 23:08, 18 January 2025

"Pearl of Scandinavia" redirects here. For the cruise ship, see MS Pearl of Scandinavia (1982). "Star Aquarius" redirects here. For the similarly named SuperStar Aquarius, see SuperStar Aquarius. "MS Athena (1989)" redirects here. For other ships, see Athena (disambiguation).

MS Pearl Seaways departing Oslo, Norway (2015).
History
Name
  • 1989–1993: Athena
  • 1993: Star Aquarius
  • 1993–2001: Langkapuri Star Aquarius
  • 2001: Aquarius
  • 2001–2011: Pearl of Scandinavia
  • 2011-2025: Pearl Seaways
  • 2025-today:Nordic Pearl
Owner
Operator
Port of registry
RouteCopenhagen–Frederikshavn–Oslo (as of 2020)
BuilderWärtsilä Marine Perno shipyard, Turku, Finland
Yard number1297
Laid down27 May 1988
Launched22 October 1988
Acquired18 April 1989
In service24 April 1989
IdentificationIMO number: 8701674
StatusIn service
General characteristics (as Athena)
TypeCruiseferry
Tonnage
Length176.60 m (579 ft 5 in)
Beam29.00 m (95 ft 2 in)
Draught6.00 m (19 ft 8 in)
Ice class1 A Super
Installed power
Speed21.0 knots (38.9 km/h; 24.2 mph)
Capacity
  • 2,200 passengers
  • 2,394 berths
  • 450 cars
General characteristics (as Langkapuri Star Aquarius)
Tonnage40,022 GT
Capacity
  • 1,378 passengers
  • 1,378 berths
NotesOtherwise the same as above
General characteristics (as Pearl Seaways)
Tonnage40,039 GT
Length178.40 m (585 ft 4 in)
Beam29.61 m (97 ft 2 in)
Draught6.22 m (20 ft 5 in)
Depth16.95 m (55 ft 7 in)
Speed21.2 knots (39.3 km/h; 24.4 mph)
Capacity
  • 2,200 passengers
  • 2,166 berths
  • 350 cars
  • 1,008 lanemeters
NotesOtherwise the same as above

MS Pearl Seaways is a cruiseferry owned by DFDS Seaways and operated on their Copenhagen–Frederikshavn-Oslo service. She was built in 1989 by Wärtsilä Marine, Turku, for Rederi AB Slite as MS Athena for use in Viking Line traffic. Between 1993 and 2001, she sailed as MS Langkapuri Star Aquarius. From 2001 to 2011 she sailed as MS Pearl of Scandinavia.

Pearl Seaways had a sister ship, Star Pisces

History

Viking Line service

MS Athena in Saltsjön, Sweden between 1989 and 1993

In the latter half of the 1980s owners of the rival shipping companies Viking Line and Silja Line competed heavily for dominance on routes connecting Finland to Sweden, with 11 new builds delivered between 1985 and 1991. At this time, there was also a strong belief in growing of the cruise passenger market.

In response to challenge from the other Viking Line partner SF Line and Silja's owners, Rederi AB Slite ordered two new builds from Wärtsilä Marine Perno shipyard. The first of these was to be called MS Athena, and she was planned to replace the aging MS Diana II on the freight-dominant Naantali–Kapellskär service. The ship was designed by Per Dockson. The authorities of Kapellskär failed to modernise their harbour to accommodate such a large ship, and when delivered in April 1989 the ship (which at the time of delivery was the largest cruiseferry in the world) was set on cruise traffic between Stockholm and Mariehamn, replacing the aged MS Apollo III. Additional public spaces, such as an "amusement park" and a disco were built on her cardeck. Part of the cardeck was also used as a parking space for cruise passengers who came to Stockholm with their own cars.

Apart from a fire in one of the cabins in May 1989, the Athena's service with Viking Line proved to be uneventful. In spring 1993, she made a test cruise from Stockholm to Riga. Unfortunately at the same time her owners were experiencing notable financial difficulties and were forced to declare bankruptcy in April 1993. Athena continued serving with Viking Line until August of the same year, when she was laid up in Stockholm awaiting sale. DFDS and P&O Ferries were both interested in her, and it was believed that the latter would be her new owner. In the end Malaysia-based Star Cruises made a bid their competitors couldn't match.

Star Cruises service

In September 1993 Athena was renamed Star Aquarius, re-flagged into Panama and started her journey from the Baltic to Singapore. Between October and December she was rebuilt in Sembawang dock, Singapore, as a cruise ship. Her interior decorations were changed and her entire cardeck was altered into a huge casino. Her Viking Line-red hull was replaced with a dark blue one and the base of her funnel repainted blue, with a yellow star where Viking's logo had been. This readaptation of Viking Line's funnel colours remains Star Cruises' funnel colour scheme to this day. During the rebuilding her name was again changed, this time into Langkapuri Star Aquarius. The ship was designed by Per Dockson. In 1994 the Langkapuri Star Aquarius begun cruising from Singapore (in practice the ships's name was often displayed as Star Aquarius in promotional material).

In 1998 her port of departure was changed into Hong Kong, and around the same time she received Star Cruises' new white-hulled livery. The former carferry was never a particularly practical cruise ship however, and when Star Cruises started taking delivery of various newbuilds the Langkapuri Star Aquarius was placed for sale. Eventually she was sold to DFDS on 11 January 2001.

DFDS service

Pearl of Scandinavia in Oslo, Norway in 2002
Pearl Seaways in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2014

The ship arrived back in Europe in March 2001 under the temporary name MS Aquarius. Between April and June of the same year she was rebuilt back into a car-passenger ferry first at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, and then at Ålborg where most of the alterations to her interior were carried out, any alterations to the vessel that were added by Star Cruises were removed. She received her new name MS Pearl of Scandinavia while at Hamburg. During the rebuilding rearsponsons were added to the ship for increased stability. Finally on 26 June she started on her first journey between Copenhagen, Helsingborg and Oslo. On 27 December 2001 the ship had a blackout in Oslofjord and was drifting for an hour before power could be re-established.

In January 2002 the ship was again rebuilt, this time at Copenhagen, and again in January 2005 at Öresundsvarvet, Landskrona, Sweden. In October 2006 DFDS decided to drop the stop at Helsingborg in order to save fuel and pilot expenses.

On 17 November 2010, a fire broke out in the car-deck of the ferry while en route from Oslo to Copenhagen. After a re-fit following the fire she was painted in DFDS new livery and renamed MS Pearl Seaways.

In an unusual tradition for a passenger ship, the Pearl Seaways hosts a traditional Danish Christmas lunch, and is open for homeless people.

In 2016, the ship hosted an e-Navigation conference onboard while in Copenhagen, Denmark, which included a speech by the International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Kitack Lim.

In 2018, an 11kV/2MW shorepower kit was added to Pearl Seaways at Lindø shipyard. After testing, Pearl Seaways started official shorepower operation in Oslo on 1 March 2019, for a potential 2.6 GWh consumption per year.

In the summer of 2020 and after a 46-year break Frederikshavn was introduced as a stop on the route in both directions.

In June 2024, it was announced that DFDS had sold the route between Copenhagen and Oslo and also the two ships assigned to the route, Pearl Seaways and Crown Seaways, were taken over by the Swedish shipping company, Gotlandsbolaget. The line and the ships will eventually receive new names and significant upgrades.

See also

References

  1. ^ Asklander, Micke. "M/S Athena (1989)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2008.
  2. ^ "Pearl Seaways (15475)". Vessel Register for DNV. DNV. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  3. "Viking Line's Vessels – Vessels on the 1980's–2000's". Viking Line. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2008.
  4. Designs89 ISSN 0282-8901
  5. "Ferry fire caused by faulty electric car". Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  6. "Brand på Oslo-båden forbliver uopklaret". Danmarks Radio. 11 March 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  7. "Se billederne: Over 300 hjemløse holdt julefrokost på Oslobåden". BT. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  8. Hagen, John (2017). Implementing E-Navigation. Artech House Publishers. p. 1. ISBN 9781630814922.
  9. "Pearl Seaways på landstrøm i OsloPearl Seaways på landstrøm i Oslo". 1 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  10. "2013 Port of Oslo - Action plan for onshore power supply - Kortversjonlandstrmengelsk2013.pdf" (PDF). 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2019.

External links

[REDACTED] Media related to IMO 8701674 at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded byMS Mariella World's largest cruiseferry
1989 		Succeeded byMS Cinderella
DFDS
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Viking Line ships
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Former Star Cruises fleet
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See also: Islands of Denmark • Unity of the Realm
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