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Corsica Ferries
- including -
Sardinia Ferries & Elba Ferries
 
 
These pages are devoted to postcards and photographs of the combined fleets of Corsica Ferries, Sardinia Ferries and Elba Ferries. There is an alphabetical list of ships on this page. The table beneath gives links to complete career histories and photographs of individual ships. Below the table are the postcards of the fleet that I have collected so far.
 
 
Corsica Ferries, Sardinia Ferries and Elba Ferries are all one company, and vessels are interchanged between fleets regularly, usually with name changes to match the route. The first Corsica Ferries vessel was the Corsica Express, originally the 1937 DFDS ferry Kronprins Olav, acquired and converted in 1967. A 1969 timetable shows her on a daily route from Livorno (Italy) to Portoferraio (Elba) and Bastia (Corsica). She was sold in 1975 to Lauro, and was not scrapped until 1986. I am still looking for postcards from these later owners of Kronprins Olav, and would be grateful for any assistance.
 
 
In 2000, routes were operated between Nice, Savona and Livorno to Corsica and from Livorno and Civitavecchia to Sardinia. A route was operated to Elba for a short period with a small ferry (Elba Nova) and one fast catamaran (Elba Express), but competition with established operators Toremar and Moby proved to be too much, and the service was abandoned. In year 2000 three fast ferries (Corsica Express I, II and III), plus six conventional ferries (Corsica Marina II, Corsica Serena II, Corsica Victoria, Sardinia Nova, Sardinia Regina and Sardinia Vera) are operated. Two large new conventional ferries (Mega Express, Mega Express II) were constructed in Livorno for 2001 service. All ferries had been acquired secondhand before the recent "Express" fast and conventional deliveries. New routes from Toulon to Bastia and Ajaccio were initiated with the Mega Express and Mega Express II in 2001. Sardinia Vera was chartered to Transmanche Ferries in 2001.
 
 
Ships on this Page:-
Corsica Express - ex-Kronprins Olav (DFDS)
Corsica Express - New-built fast ferry
Corsica Express II - New-built fast ferry
Corsica Express III - New-built fast ferry
Corsica Marina - ex-Grenaa, Kalle, Olau West
Corsica Marina II - ex-Stena/Marine Nautica (Stena)
Corsica Marina Seconda - ex-Stena/Marine Nautica (Stena/Canadian Marine)
Corsica Nova - ex-Travemuende, Europafaerjan II (Lion Ferry)
Corsica Regina - ex-Visby, Drotten (Gotland)
Corsica Serena - ex-Julle (JKL)
Corsica Serena II - ex-Europafaerjan III (Lion Ferry)
Corsica Star - ex-Kattegat (Grenå-Hundested Line)
Corsica Vera - ex-Stena/Marine Atlantica (Stena/Canadian Marine)
Corsica Victoria - ex-Gotland (Gotland)
Corsica Viva - ex-Innisfallen (B&I)
Corsica Viva I - ex-Innisfallen (B&I)
Corsica Viva II - ex-Visby, Drotten (Gotland)
Elba Express - Fast Ferry for Elba services
Elba Nova - Conventional Ferry on Elba services
Mega Express - New 2001 conventional superferry capable of 29 knots
Mega Express Two - New 2001 conventional superferry capable of 29 knots
Mega Express Three - ex-Minoan Lines Ariadne Palace
Mega Express Four - ex-Superfast II
Mega Express Five - ex-Phoenix Express
Mega Smeralda - ex-Color Festival
Sardinia Nova - ex-Tor Anglia (TOR Line)
Sardinia Regina - ex-Visby, Drotten (Gotland)
Sardinia Vera - ex-Stena/Marine Atlantica (Stena/Canadian Marine)
Sardinia Viva - ex-Innisfallen (B&I)
 
Associated Pages:-
Happy Lines - Postcard Galleries (not for sale)
Moby Lines/NAVARMA - Rival operator to Corsica/Sardinia/Elba
SNCM - Rival operator to Corsica/Sardinia/Elba
TOR Line - Postcard Galleries (not for sale)
Ferry Postcards - Postcard Galleries (not for sale)
Simplon Postcards Home Page
www.corsicaferries.com - Corsica Ferries Official Home Page
 
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Table of Ship Histories

Name

 Other Names

 Built
 Corsica Express  Kronprins Olav

 1937
 Corsica Marina  Grenå, Kalle, Olau West, Kelibia, Nortia, Azzurra

 1964
 Corsica Marina II  Stena Nautica, Marine Nautica, Corsica Marina Seconda

 1974
 Corsica Marina Seconda  Stena Nautica, Marine Nautica, Corsica Marina Seconda

 1974
 Corsica Nova  Travemuende, Europafaerjan II

 1964
 Corsica Regina  Visby, Drotten, Corsica Viva II, Sardinia Regina

 1972
 Corsica Serena II  Europafaerjan III

 1972
 Corsica Star  Kattegat, Nordek, Ikaros

 1961
 Corsica Vera  Stena Atlantica, Marine Atlantica, Sardinia Vera

 1974
 Corsica Viva II  Visby, Drotten, Corsica Regina, Sardinia Regina

 1972
 Elba Express  Anna Lise, Madikera, Solidor IV

 1987
 Mega Express  

 2001
 Mega Express Two  

 2001
 Mega Smeralda  Svea, Silja Karneval, Color Festival

 1985
 Sardinia Nova  Tor Anglia

 1966
 Sardinia Regina  Visby, Drotten, Corsica Viva II, Corsica Regina

 1972
 Sardinia Vera  Stena Atlantica, Marine Atlantica, Corsica Vera

 1974
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Ferries Fleetlist
 
 
Corsica Express
(Corsica Ferries: 1968-75)
 
The first Corsica Line (later Corsica Ferries) vessel was the Corsica Express, originally the 1937 DFDS ferry Kronprins Olav, acquired and converted in 1968. She was sold in 1975 to Lauro, and was not scrapped until 1986. I am still looking for postcards from the Lauro years, and would be grateful for any assistance. If you can help, please email: simplon@simplon.co.uk. Pictures in DFDS ownership will be added soon.
 
 
The official Corsica Line postcard of Corsica Express is shown below.
 
 
 
Postcard of Corsica Express at Bastia.
Scan: Michel.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Star
(Corsica Ferries: 1973-1979)
 
Corsica Star had served as Danish ferry Kattegat from 1961-69 (Grenå-Hundested Line), then as Jakob Lines Nordek between 1969-73. She operated as Corsica Star between 1973-79. She subsequently served as Ikaros (1979-91) and European Glory. There is a complete postcard history of this ship on this link.
 
 
Corsica Line postcard of Corsica Star.
Scan supplied by Fakta om Fartyg.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Serena
(Corsica Ferries: 1975-1980)
 
Corsica Serena was built as Julle (1) in 1962 by Adler Werft GmbH, Bremen for Juelsminde-Kalundborg Line. She was the sister of Kalle (1), (delivered 1962). In 1970 ownership passed to Jydsk Færgefart A/S, Kalundborg. In 1972 Julle (1) was sold to Lignes Maritimes de Ferries Mafer, Tanger, serving as Tanger on a route Tanger-Cadiz-Algericas. In 1975, Tanger was sold to Corsica Ferries (Tourship Group) and she was renamed Corsica Serena until 1980, when sold to Regionale Marittima S.p.A. (SI.RE.MAR.), Palermo and renamed Giotto. for a service connecting Porto Empédocle-Linosa-Lampedusa. She later served as Al Rasheed II in Saudi Arabia.
 
 
Postcard of Corsica Serena and Corsica Star.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Nova
(Corsica Ferries: 1976-1988)
 
Corsica Nova had served as Scandinavian ferry Travemuende (1964-70) and Europafaerjan II (1970-76) before purchase by Corsica ferries. Subsequently sold, she currently has the name Apollonia II.
 
 
Corsica Nova at Bastia, on card s/n 355 by Editions "Mattesi".
 
 
 
Corsica Nova at Bastia, on card s/n 60/607 by Editions "Du Mouflon".
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Marina
(Corsica Ferries: 1977-1991)
 
Corsica Marina had served as ferry Grenå (1964-71), Kalle (1971-75) and Olau West (1975-77) before purchase by Corsica ferries. Sold in 1991, subsequent names were Kelibia (1991-1999) and Scent of Sea (1999-2000). She returned to Livorno in 2000 as the Nortia, owned by Etruria Ferries, and used on a service to Elba. A full postcard and photographic history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Corsica Marina, on card s/n 648 by Editions "U.Segnu".
 
 
 
Corsica Marina at Brindisi, on card s/n 28487 by Editions "Agrusti".
Brindisi is on Italy's west coast, and Corsica Marina is shown after sale by Corsica Ferries (the name
as been removed from the hull). The ferry on the left is HML's Egnatia, used on Italy-Greece services.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sardinia Nova
(Corsica Ferries: 1981-2006)
 
Sardinia Nova was built as the Tor Anglia in 1966 for service on the Tor Lines "triangle" of services between the UK, Sweden and Holland. In 1975, Tor Anglia was sold to Trans Tirreno Express, due to the imminent arrival of the larger Tor Britannia and Tor Scandinavia, but was chartered back to continue Tor Line service until June 1976. She was then renamed Expresso Olbia, and used on the services Livorno-Olbia and Genoa-Palermo. From 1978, Expresso Olbia was chartered to Adriatica, B&I Line, Fred Olsen, TT-Line and Olau Line, until sold in 1981 to Corsica Ferries and renamed Sardinia Nova. Sardinia Nova served on the Livorno-Olbia route until 2001, when she moved to Civitavecchia-Cagliari. Sardinia Nova remained in the Corsica Ferries fleet until 2006, when she was sold to D&P Cruises and renamed Baia Sardinia. She ran during the summer of 2006 between Genoa and Palau (Sardinia), returning to the same route in summer 2007 for DiMaio Lines.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Sardinia Nova, on official Corsica Ferries card s/n 9.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Viva
Corsica Viva I
Sardinia Viva
(Corsica Ferries: 1980-98)
 
Corsica Viva had served as B&I Line ferry Innisfallen (1969-80) before purchase by Corsica ferries. In 1994, Corsica Ferries advertised a Caribbean ferry service between Martinique, Dominica and St Lucia as Caribia Ferries, for which Corsica Viva was renamed Dominican Viva. Upon return, she was named Corsica Viva I, and later Sardinia Viva. In 1993 she was used on a different Caribbean service as the Caribia Viva. Subsequently sold, she received the name Happy Dolphin in 1998 and continued to serve Bastia, but from La Spezia for Happy Lines. Happy Lines ceased operations in 2002, and Happy Dolphin passed to Sancak Lines (Turkey) as the Derin Deniz.
 
 
Corsica Viva I, on Ramsey Postcards s/n 03.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Serena II
Corsica Serena Seconda
(Corsica Ferries: 1983- )
 
Corsica Serena II, was previously the ferry Europafaerjan III (1974-83). She remains in the 2000 fleet on the 'Corsica Shuttle' from Livorno to Bastia, having been renamed Corsica Serena Seconda. Photos of Corsica Serena Seconda are shown on this link.
 
 
This is official Corsica Ferries card serial number 7.
 
 
 
Editions U Segnu s/n 646 of Corsica Serena II.
 
 
 
Editions "la Cigogne" s/n B10036 of Corsica Serena II, incorrectly referred to as the Italia on the card.
 
 
 
Simplon Postcards sp2168 of Corsica Serena Seconda, released December 2001.
Photographed at Bastia in August 2001 by Ian Boyle.
Simplon Postcards are now available from Harold Jordan
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Viva II
Corsica Regina
Sardinia Regina
(Corsica Ferries: 1985- )
 
Sardinia Regina had served as the ferry Visby (1972-80) and Drotten (1980-85) before purchase by Corsica ferries. She remains in the 2000 fleet. Her sister Gotland was also acquired in 1988 as Corsica Victoria (see below). Both ships were subsequently given additional upper works, which rather spoilt their previously sleek appearance. A complete postcard and photographic history of this ship is shown on this link.
 
 
Sardinia Regina, as she is currently named, on official Corsica Ferries card s/n 5 (the card shows her as Corsica Regina).
 
 
 
This is official Corsica Ferries card serial number 6.
The ship shown is actually Corsica Regina although described as Corsica Victoria
 
 
 
Official Corsica Ferries poster cards (serial numbers 3 and 4), showing Corsica Regina (named on card 3) or her sister ship.
These form part of a set of at least ten cards issued by Corsica Ferries a few years back, which included
excellent photographic cards of the fleet (the same six conventional ferries still in service in 2000) and
the two cards shown below. I am still missing cards 1 and 2, which I suspect may be further art cards.
Note the cards below incorporate their serial numbers into the designs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Victoria
(Corsica Ferries: 1988- )
 
Corsica Victoria, sister ship of Corsica Regina shown above, was previously the ferry Gotland (1978-88). Like her sister, she has received additional upper works in Corsica Ferries ownership.
 
 
This is official Corsica Ferries card serial number 6.
The ship shown is actually Corsica Regina
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elbe Nova
(Corsica Ferries: 1995-97)
 
Elba Nova was used to compete with Moby Lines and state-owned Toremar on services to the Isle of Elba. She had been built as the ferry Emsland in 1977, and had served as Bohus (for Scandi Line), St Julien and Ostersjon before use by Elba Ferries between 1995 and 1997. I do not have any photographs or postcards of her in Elba service.
 
 
Simplon Postcards first Ferry Series postcard, serial number sp1001, was the St Julien, ex-Emsland, ex-Bohus, later Elba Nova.
Simplon Postcards are now available from Harold Jordan.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Marina II
Corsica Marina Seconda
(Corsica Ferries: 1999- )
 
In addition to the sisterships Corsica Regina/Victoria shown above, Corsica Ferries also have the sisterships Corsica Marina II and Corsica Vera (now Sardinia Vera). These were built as part of a class of four ships for Stena Line in the mid-1970s designed for the charter market. Corsica Marina II was originally the Stena Nautica, later serving in Canada as the Marine Nautica. Sardinia Vera, shown below, was laid down as Stena Atlantica, but was launched as Marine Atlantica for Canadian service. The two other sisters were the Stena Nordica and Stena Normandica, both of which eventually joined rivals Moby Lines to become Moby Kiss and Moby Vincent. Moby Kiss then moved again to become Comanav's Al Mansour. The name is now rendered as Corsica Marina Seconda, and photos taken in 2000 are shown on this link.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
This is Corsica Ferries official card serial 8.
 
 
 
This is Corsica Ferries official card serial 188bis, issued 2001.
It is an aerial view of Bastia, with Corsica Marina Seconda leaving the ferry port.
 
 
 
Simplon Postcards sp2161 of Corsica Marina Seconda, released April 2001.
Photographed at Livorno in August 2000 by Ian Boyle.
Simplon Postcards are now available from Harold Jordan
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Vera
Sardinia Vera
(Corsica Ferries: 1999- )
 
sister ship to the Corsica Marina II shown above, Sardinia Vera was laid down as Stena Atlantica, but was launched as Marine Atlantica for Canadian service. In 2001 she began to operate under charter between Newhaven and Dieppe for Transmanche Ferries. Photos taken in 2001 in Transmanche colours are shown on this link.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
This is Corsica Ferries official card serial 10.
 
 
 
 
 
Transmanche Ferries
 
In 2001 Sardinia Vera began to operate under charter between Newhaven and Dieppe for Transmanche Ferries.
Photos taken in 2001 in Transmanche colours are shown on this link.
 
 
This is the first official Transmanche Ferries postcard issued.
 
 
 
This is a Dieppe Photo-Camara real photographic card (with postcard back).
The photograph is by Henri-Claude Boniface.
 
 
 
Simplon Postcards sp2169 of Sardinia Vera, released December 2001.
Photographed at Dieppe in July 2001 by Ian Boyle.
Simplon Postcards are now available from Harold Jordan.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elbe Express
 
Elba Express was a fast catamaran car/passenger ferry used by the Corsica Ferries group to compete with Moby Lines and state-owned Toremar on the busy Piombino-Portoferraio route between the Italian mainland and the Isle of Elba. Elba Express had been built in 1987, and had previously served as Anne Lise and Madikera (the latter in the Caribbean). She could carry 325 passengers and 40 cars at 31 knots. The route was marketed as Elba Ferries, and was running on my visit to Elba in 1997, but had been abandoned by my July 2000 visit. She was sold to Emeraude Ferries for operations to the Channel Isles as Solidor IV. I do not have a postcard of Elba Express, but photos are available on this link. An example is shown below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corsica Express (1995- )
Corsica Express II (1995- )
Corsica Express III (1996- )
 
Corsica Express was the first of three fast monohull ferries built for Corsica Ferries between 1995 and 1996. There are of 3000grt, 103 metres long and carry over 500 passengers and 150 cars at 37 knots.
 
 
The card below is titled Corsica Express, but actually shows Corsica Express III.
 
 
 
The card below also shows Corsica Express III, entering Nice.
The card is by Editions "Gilletta". These fast ferries were the first to break a 140 year old
French state-owned monopoly of services between Nice and Corsica.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mega Express
Mega Express Two
 
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.
 
 
 
One of my photos of Mega Express under construction is shown below - more are available on this link.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mega Express Three
(Corsica Ferries: 2003- )
 
Mega Express Three was previously owned by Minoan Lines, built in 2001 as the Oceanus. Oceanus became Ariadne Palace I, but was then sold to Corsica Ferries as the Mega Express Three.
 
 
Photograph of the Mega Express Three at Bastia, October 17th 2004.
Photo: © Romain Roussel.
 
 
 
Mega Express Three at Toulon, 18th October 2004
Photo: © Julien Imbert
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Mega Express Three at Toulon, 18th October 2004
Photo: © Julien Imbert
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Mega Express Four
(Corsica Ferries: 2006- )
 
Mega Express Four was previously the Superfast II, built for Superfast Ferries in 1995. She served between Patras-Ancona and Patras-Igoumenitsa-Bari until sold in 2003 to TT-Line of Tasmania as Spirit of Tasmania III to revive the longer Sydney-Davenport route from January 2004. This was not profitable and she was sold in 2006 to Corsica Ferries who rebuilt her and renamed her Mega Express Four.
 
 
Mega Express Four at Bastia, 18th November 2006
Photo: © Maurice Francheteau
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Mega Express Four at Toulon, 9th November 2006
Photo: © Julien Imbert
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Mega Express Four, 6th May 2006
Photo: © Thierry Aubry
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Mega Express Four, 6th May 2006
Photo: © Thierry Aubry
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Mega Express Four at Nice, 7th May 2006
Photo: © Jean Marc Loguet
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Mega Express Four at Nice, 7th May 2006
Photo: © Jean Marc Loguet
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Mega Express Five
(Corsica Ferries: 2006- )
 
Mega Express Five was previously the 1993 Japanese ferry Phoenix Express, built for Marine Express. Rebuilding work commenced at Palermo in October 2006.
 
 
Official postcard of Phoenix Express
Scan: Ken Murayama
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Mega Express Five, 25th October 2006
Photo: © Enzo Annuario
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Mega Smeralda
(Corsica Ferries: 2008- )
 
Mega Smeralda was built in 1985 by Oy Wärtsilä Ab, Helsinki, as Svea for Johnson Line of Stockholm. She entered service with Silja Line on the route Stockholm-Mariehamn-Åbo. In 1987 registered owners became Oy Svea Line. Svea was upgraded at Lloyds Werft, Bremerhaven, in 1992, and renamed Silja Karneval. In 1994 she was sold to Color Line, and renamed Color Festival, for use between Oslo-Hirtshals. In 2007 she was sold to Corsica Ferries. Her last day in Color Line service was 6th January 2008. She sailed to Perama, Greece, for rebuilding under her new name Mega Smeralda.
 
 
Mega Smeralda, in Fredrikshavn in Color livery, 19th January 2008
Photo: © Peter Jensen
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Mega Smeralda, leaving Fredrikshavn in Color livery, 20th January 2008
Photo: © Marko Stampehl
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Mega Smeralda, being refurbished at Perama, 16th May 2008
Photo: © Georges Koutsoukis
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Mega Smeralda, being refurbished at Perama, 16th May 2008
Photo: © Georges Koutsoukis
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