MV Namma Express

ex Bursa N, Phocine, Dart 3, Merle, Sally Euroroute, Bazias 3, Balder Sten

Steel twin screw motor vessel, built in 1984 by Santierul Naval Galatz, Galatz, Romania. (Yard No.769), for Augustsson, Parley & Co., Sandvika, Norway as a passenger and commercial vehicle ferry

Technical Data

Length: 121.48 m (overall) 111.18 m (between perpendiculars)
Breadth: 21.00 m
Depth: 12.52 m
Draught: 5.330 m
Tonnage: 2,831 – 9,088 gross/1,437 – 4,734 net/4734t – 2726t deadweight
Engines: 2 x Krupp MAK 9M453AK – 4 stroke 9 cylinder diesels
Power: 5,300 kW/7200 HP
Speed: 14.5 knots
Capacity: 12 passengers, 49 cars, 94 x 13.5m trailers, 1,225 lane meters
Call Sign: YQOR, ZCDH2, 9HPM9, TCUC3, HZHQ
IMO Number: 8009064
Register Number: 904A35
MMSI Number: 403289000
Port of Registry: Monrovia/Liberia, Constantza/Romania, Nassau/Bahamas, Hamilton/Bermuda, Valletta/Malta, Istanbul/Turkey, Jeddah/Saudi Arabia
Sister-Ship: Balder Hav, Balder Fjord, Balder Ra, Balder Bre, Balder Strand, Balder Sund, Balder Vik.

History

1984: Built at Santierul Naval Galatz, Galatz, Romania.

December 1984: Completed at Damen Shipyard, Gorinchem.

1984: Delivered to Augustsson, Parley & Co., Sandvika, Norway.

1984: Sold to Navrom of Romania, Galatz, Romania and renamed BAZIAS 3. Services in the Mediterranean.

1991: Chartered to Sally Line for services between Ostend – Ramsgate.

October 12th 1993: Chartered to Sally Ferries and renamed SALLY EUROROUTE. Services between n Ostend – Ramsgate.

October 18th 1996: Final day in services between Ostend – Ramsgate.

October 21st 1996: Left Ramsgate for the Irish Sea.

November 1996: Chartered to Belfast Freight Ferries, England and renamed MERLE. Services between Belfast – Heysham.

1997: Sold to Jacobs Holding Ltd, Nassau, Bahamas.

December 1999: Services for between Vlissingen – Dartford and Zeebrugge – Dartford. Renamed DART 3.

September 9th 2000: Chartered to Cenargo. Services for Norse Merchant Ferries between Belfast – Heysham.

September 2001: Charter completed.

September 17th 2001: Commenced service for Dart Line between Dartford – Vlissingen/ Dartford – Dunkerque.

2002: Services between Dartford – Zeebrugge.

2003: Services Dartford – Vlissingen.

August 2003 – September 2003: Refit.

September 2006: Renamed PHOCINE.

September 2006: Services between Zeebrugge – Killingholme.

May 27th 2007: Arrived in Douglas.

May 28th 2007 – June 2nd 2007: Chartered to Isle Of Man Steam Packet Co, Douglas Isle Of Man. For services between Douglas – Heysham.

June 18th 2007: Arrived on Ostend.

June 21st 2007: Services between Ostend – Purfleet.

July 8th 2007: Services between Ostend – Killingholme for Roroco NV/Cobelfret Ferries.

December 2007: Services between Zeebrugge – Purfleet.

February 12th 2008 – March 21st 2008: Chartered to Seatruck Ferries for services between Heysham – Warrenpoint.

March 23rd 2008: Arrived in Ostend.

March 24th 2008: Services for Dart Line/Cobelfret Ferries between Ostend – Dartford.

April 14th 2008: Services for Dart Line/Cobelfret Ferries between Ostend – Ipswich.

January 2009: Services between Rotterdam – Purfleet.

January 15th 2009: Services between Ostend – Ipswich.

February 2009: Services between Rotterdam – Purfleet.

April 20th 2009: Services between Ostend / Rotterdam – Purfleet.

2009: Services between Rotterdam – Ipswich.

2009: Refit in Dunkerque

April 2010: Services between Zeebrügge – Purfleet.

February 1st 2012: Sold to Istanbul Lines Denizcilik Yatirim A.S, Istanbul, Turkey and renamed BURSA N.

March 2012: Rebuilt at Gemlik with a cafeteria and drivers lounge.

April 2012: Services between Bandirma – Istanbul.

October 1st 2012: Renamed NAMMA EXPRESS. Owner; Namma International Trading, Operator; Namma Shipping Lines. Last known as operating in the Red Sea.

All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Brian Brady, Robert Fournier, Tony Garner, Ted Ingham, Ken Larwood, Aleksi Lindström, Simonwp, Ken Smith, Wil Weijsters and Andreas Wörteler for their assistance in producing this feature.