Mega Express
Mega Express Two
 
 
This page shows photographs of the new Corsica Ferries large conventional ships Mega Express and Mega Express Two.
 
Mega Express and Mega Express Two were built at the Livorno yards of Orlando, who are obviously proud of them since they feature large plaques on their stern advertising (in English) "Made in Italy by Orlando". Mega Express is shown as Mega Express I in many publications, but the former name is that carried. All photos below were taken by Ian Boyle. July 2000 photos at Livorno show the two ships under construction.
 
August 2001 photos at Bastia show the Mega Express in service. Compare how the yellow hull paint has been carried lower down the hull since the photos under construction. It seems that Mega Express sits higher in the water than expected! This is confirmed by Giulio Gennaro, of the Studio di Ingegneria Navale e Meccanica (Genova), who writes:- Both Mega Express have a smaller draft than initially foreseen, thanks to a very careful weight optimisation during final design and construction. This even turned out to be a problem dureing sea trial, as the contractual draft forseen for the sea trial was impossible to achieve without loading the ship. In any case you correctly quote that service speed is 29 knots, futhermore maximum speed is over 31 knots and the ships handle very well in any sea state.
Sections on this Page:-
Mega Express Postcards
Mega Express leaving Bastia - August 2001
Mega Express arriving Bastia - August 2001
Mega Express leaving Toulon - August 2001
Mega Express under construction - July 2000
Mega Express Two under construction - July 2000
Mega Express Official Information Page 1 - Interiors (opens in a new window - 120k file)
Mega Express Official Information Page 2 - Deck Plans (opens in a new window - 120k file)
 
Associated Pages:-
Corsica Ferries
Ferries of Bastia
Ferry Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
 
 
Mega Express Postcards
 
Two large conventional ferries named Mega Express and Mega Express Two have been constructed in Livorno by Orlando. I have now added an official builders and Corsica Ferries cards of Mega Express, and photos of them under construction are available on this link. It has been announced that one of the ships will compete directly with SNCM-Ferryterranee, opening new Corsica Ferries routes from Toulon to Corsica. They are 176 metres long, carry 1756 passengers and 550 vehicles, and have a service speed of 29 knots.
 
 
An official builders' card of Mega Express is shown below.
 
The back of the official builders' card of Mega Express is shown below, to show the special postmarks.
 
Official Corsica Ferries postcard of Mega Express.
 
La Corse Inoubliable postcard 34.41.13 of Mega Express at Bastia.
 
Simplon Postcards sp2167 of Mega Express, released December 2001.
Photographed at Bastia in August 2001 by Ian Boyle.
Simplon Postcards are now available from Harold Jordan.
 
 
 
 
 
Mega Express Arriving Bastia (Corsica) - August 2001
 
The 17:25hrs arrival at Bastia from Savona, prior to sailing overnight to Toulon (France) at 22:30hrs.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2001.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2001.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2001.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2001.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2001.
 
 
 
 
 
Mega Express Leaving Bastia (Corsica) - August 2001
 
 
The 8:30am departure from Bastia to Savona, having arrived overnight from Toulon (France)
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2001.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2001.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2001.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2001.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2001.
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, August 2001.
 
 
 
 
 
Mega Express Arriving Toulon - August 2001
 
Mega Express arriving Toulon at 20:30hrs prior to taking the 22:30hrs to Bastia. Compare how the yellow hull paint has been carried lower down the hull since the photos below when under construction. It seems that Mega Express sits higher in the water than expected!
 
 
Mega Express at Toulon, August 2001.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express at Toulon, August 2001.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
 
 
 
Mega Express Under Construction - Livorno July 2000
 
 
Mega Express at Livorno, July 2000.
Photographed from the P&O cruise ship Oriana.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express at Livorno, July 2000.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express at Livorno, July 2000.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express at Livorno, July 2000.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express at Livorno, July 2000.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express at Livorno, July 2000.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express at Livorno, July 2000.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express at Livorno, July 2000.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
 
 
 
Mega Express Two Under Construction - Livorno July 2000
 
 
Mega Express Two at Livorno, July 2000.
Photographed from the P&O cruise ship Oriana.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express Two at Livorno, July 2000.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express Two at Livorno, July 2000.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express Two at Livorno, July 2000.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mega Express Two - Nice
 
 
Mega Express Two leaving Nice on 22nd February 2005.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express Two leaving Nice on 22nd February 2005.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express Two leaving Nice on 22nd February 2005.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
Mega Express Two leaving Nice on 22nd February 2005.
Photo: © Ian Boyle.
 
 
 
 
 
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