MV Namma Express
ex Bursa N, Phocine, Dart 3, Merle, Sally Euroroute, Bazias 3, Balder Sten
© Tony Garner
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.
© Ted Ingham (left) © Ken Larwood (right)
October 12th 1993: Chartered to Sally Ferries and renamed SALLY EUROROUTE. Services between n Ostend – Ramsgate.
© Ken Larwood
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.
© Ken Smith
2002: Services between Dartford – Zeebrugge.
© Simonwp
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.
© Wil Weijsters
April 20th 2009: Services between Ostend / Rotterdam – Purfleet.
© Andreas Wörteler (Rotterdam 03/05/2009)
2009: Services between Rotterdam – Ipswich.
2009: Refit in Dunkerque
© Robert Fournier
April 2010: Services between Zeebrügge – Purfleet.
© Aleksi Lindström
© Simonwp (left) and © Nigel Thornton (right)
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.
© Brian Brady
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.
Article © Nigel Thornton and Ray Goodfellow (Dover Ferry Photos Group)
