The 2011-initiated project for cruiseferry services between Turkey and Greece (İzmir and Thessaloniki) was completed, with the route slated to be opened in September 2022.
Athens-based company Levanta Ferries declared that Smyrna di Levante ship (1977-built/IMO 7527887) would hold the new passenger shipping service once weekly.
It has not been announced yet when exactly the service starts, but the Greek company declared that Lesbos Island (Mytilene, Greece) would be added to the route in October 2022.
Smyrna di Levante is 160 m in length and 23 m in width, with capacity to carry a total of 930 passengers and 55 lorries/cargo trucks.
The duration of a voyage between İzmir and Thessaloniki is expected to be ~12 to 13 hours, depending on sea/weather conditions, company officials said.
Levanta Ferries said it had overcome technical problems for the ferry service and would now calculate the costs and then announce the prices.
With the start of the ferry services, new tourism packages will be presented to travelers from both countries.