{{Short description|Greek ferry operator}} {{Infobox company | name = | logo = Blue star ferries logo.svg | type = | genre = | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | founded = {{Start date and age|1993|08|12}}<ref name="gemh">{{cite web |title=BLUE STAR FERRIES MONOPROSOPI NAFTILIAKI ANONYMI ETAIREIA |url=https://publicity.businessportal.gr/company/121913501000 |access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref> | hq_location_city = Kallithea, Athens | hq_location_country = Greece<ref name="gemh" /> | locations = | area_served = Aegean Sea | key_people = | industry = | products = | services = Passenger transportation<br />Freight transportation | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum = | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = Attica Group | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = [http://www.bluestarferries.com www.bluestarferries.com] | footnotes = }}
'''Blue Star Maritime S.A.''', operating under the brand name '''Blue Star Ferries''', is a Greece-based company founded in 1993<ref name="gemh" /> which provides ferry services between the Greek mainland and the Aegean Islands.
Blue Star Ferries is the biggest ferry company in Greece, serving more than 20 destinations. Its fleet is composed of 12 modern ferries whose course speeds range from 23 to 30 knots.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Fleet |url=https://www.bluestarferries.com/en-gb/our-fleet |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Blue Star Ferries |language=en}}</ref> Blue Star Ferries is a subsidiary of Attica Group along with Hellenic Seaways and Superfast Ferries.
==History== Blue Star Ferries was founded in 1965 as '''Strintzis Lines''' by the Strintzis family from Lixouri, Kefalonia. The company was rebranded as '''Blue Ferries''' in 2000<ref name="fek3415">{{cite web |title=ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ, ΤΕΥΧΟΣ ΑΝΩΝΥΜΩΝ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΩΝ ΠΕΡΩΡΙΣΜΕΝΗΣ ΕΥΘΥΝΗΣ, Αρ. Φύλλου 3415 |url=https://www.et.gr/api/DownloadFeksApiCompanies/?fek_pdf=20001103415 |publisher=Government of Greece |access-date=5 December 2023 |page=2 |language=el |date=19 May 2000}}</ref> following Attica Enterprises' acquisition of a 48% stake in the company.<ref>Attica Enterprises Annual Report 2000</ref> Blue Star Ferries is a sister company of Superfast Ferries, as both are part of Attica Group and have had partnership in some routes, such as Rosyth–Zeebrugge and presently Piraeus–Heraklion.
In 2000, the company took delivery of two roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ferries built at the Dutch shipyard Van der Giessen de Noord. In 2006, Blue Star Maritime S.A. purchased the Dodecanese ferry company DANE Sea Lines.
Blue Star Ferries ordered two ferry-type ships at Daewoo Shipyards in South Korea. The first ferry, named ''Blue Star Delos'', was delivered in the first 10 days of October 2011, and the second, ''Blue Star Patmos'', in July 2012. ''Blue Star Delos'' is currently on the route Piraeus–Paros–Naxos–Ios–Thira, and ''Blue Star Patmos'' on the route Piraeus–Chios–Mytilini (Lesvos).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theseanation.gr/news/ferries/blue-star-ithaki.htm |script-title=el:Δρομολόγηση του 'Blue Star Ithaki' στη γραμμή Ραφήνας-Άνδρου-Τήνου-Μυκόνου |language=el |title=Launch of 'Blue Star Ithaki' on Rafina–Andros–Tinos–Mykonos line |accessdate=2010-01-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226083022/http://www.theseanation.gr/news/ferries/blue-star-ithaki.htm |archivedate=2010-12-26 }}</ref>
==Current fleet== Blue Star Ferries currently operates a fleet of 10 vessels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Fleet |url=https://www.bluestarferries.com/en-gb/our-fleet |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=Blue Star Ferries |language=en}}</ref>
===Conventional ferries=== {| class="wikitable" ! Ship || Flag || Built || Entered<br />service || Gross tonnage || Length || Width || Passengers || Vehicles || Knots || Photo |- | ''Blue Star 1'' || {{flagicon|GRC}} ||align="Center" | 2000 ||align="Center" | 2000 ||align="Center" | {{GT|29,415}} ||align="Center" | 176.1 m ||align="Center" | 25.7 m ||align="Center" | 1,890 ||align="Center" | 780 ||align="Center" | 28 || 200px |- | ''Blue Star 2'' || {{flagicon|GRC}} ||align="Center" | 2000 ||align="Center" | 2000 ||align="Center" | {{GT|29,415}} ||align="Center" | 176.1 m ||align="Center" | 25.7 m ||align="Center" | 1,854 ||align="Center" | 780 ||align="Center" | 28 || 200px |-
|- | ''Blue Star Paros'' || {{flagicon|GRC}} ||align="Center" | 2002 ||align="Center" | 2002 ||align="Center" | {{GT|10,438}} ||align="Center" | 124.2 m ||align="Center" | 18.9 m || align="Center" | 1,474 ||align="Center" | 240 ||align="Center" | 24.4 || 200px |- | ''Blue Star Naxos'' || {{flagicon|GRC}} ||align="Center" | 2002 ||align="Center" | 2002 ||align="Center" | {{GT|10,438}} ||align="Center" | 124.2 m ||align="Center" | 18.9 m ||align="Center" | 1,474 ||align="Center" | 240 ||align="Center" | 24.4 || 200px |- | ''Diagoras'' || {{flagicon|GRC}} ||align="Center" | 1990 ||align="Center" | 2006 ||align="Center" | {{GT|9,834}} ||align="Center" | 141.5 m ||align="Center" | 23 m ||align="Center" | 1,462 ||align="Center" | 274 ||align="Center" | 21.1 || 200px |- | ''Blue Star Delos'' || {{flagicon|GRC}} ||align="Center" | 2011 ||align="Center" | 2011 ||align="Center" | {{GT|17,550}} ||align="Center" | 145.9 m ||align="Center" | 23.2 m ||align="Center" | 2,400 ||align="Center" | 430 ||align="Center" | 25.5 || 200px |- | ''Blue Star Patmos'' || {{flagicon|GRC}} ||align="Center" | 2012 ||align="Center" | 2012 ||align="Center" |{{GT|17,550}} ||align="Center" | 145.9 m ||align="Center" | 23.2 m ||align="Center" | 2,000 ||align="Center" | 430 ||align="Center" | 25.5 || 200px |- | ''Blue Star Myconos'' || {{flagicon|GRC}}||align="Center" |2005 || align="Center" | 2020 ||align="Center" | {{GT|14,717}} ||align="Center" | 141 m ||align="Center" | 21 m ||align="Center" | 1,915 ||align="Center" |418 ||align="Center" |26.5 || 200px |- | ''Blue Star Chios'' || {{flagicon|GRC}}||align="Center" |2007 || align="Center" | 2020 ||align="Center" | {{GT|14,717}} ||align="Center" | 141 m ||align="Center" | 21 m ||align="Center" | 1,782 ||align="Center" |418 ||align="Center" |27.0 ||200px |}
===RO/RO cargo ships=== {| class="wikitable" ! Ship || Flag || Built || Entered<br />service || Gross tonnage || Length || Width || Passengers || Vehicles || Knots || Photo |- | ''Blue Carrier 1'' || {{flagicon|GRC}} ||align="Center" | 2000 || align="Center" | 2019 ||align="Center" | {{GT|13,073}} ||align="Center" | 142.5 m ||align="Center" | 23.5 m ||align="Center" | 18 ||align="Center" | 1,680 l.m. ||align="Center" | 17.5 || 200px |- | ''Blue Carrier 2'' || {{flagicon|GRC}} ||align="Center" | 1997 || align="Center" | 2024 ||align="Center" | {{GT|23,986}} ||align="Center" | 162.5 m ||align="Center" | 25.6 m ||align="Center" | 12 ||align="Center" | 2,307 l.m. ||align="Center" | 17.5 || 200px |}
==Former fleet== ===As Strinzis Lines=== *''Kephalinia'' (1965–1993), scrapped as ''Zachara'' in 2005 *''Ionion'' (1972–1978), sank in Gramvousa, Crete in 1992 *''Ionian Star'' (1976–1990), scrapped as ''Tian Kun'' in 2001 *''Ionian Glory'' (1981–1989), scrapped in 2012 at Alexandria, Egypt *''Eptanisos'' (1984–2000), scrapped as ''Pollux 1'' at Gadani Beach, Pakistan in 2004 *''Ionian Victory'' (1984–1986), scrapped as ''Jin Hu'' in 2004 *''Delos'' (1986–1997), scrapped in 2011 *''Ionian Sun'' (1986–2001), scrapped as ''Merdif'' in 2004 at Alang, India *''Ionian Island'' (1987–2000), scrapped as ''Merdif 1'' in 2010 at Alang, India *''Ionian Galaxy'' (1987–2000), scrapped as ''Merdif 2'' in 2011 at Alang, India *''Ionian Fantasy'' (1988–1991): while serving as ''Ionian Sea'' (1991–1993), caught fire while laid up under the name ''Leros'' at Elefsina, Greece; scrapped at Aliağa, Turkey in 2001 *''Ionian Harmony'' (1989–1990), scrapped as ''Caly'' in 2013 at Alang, India *''Ezio'' (1986-2007), scrapped as ''Al Masam'' in Alang India 2009 *''Superferry'' (1991–2001), scrapped as ''Mahabba'' in Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard in 2021 *''Superferry II'' (1993–2000), serving as ''SuperStar'' for Seajets since 2021 *''Ionian Star'' (1994–1999), serving as ''Denia Ciutat Creativa'' for Balearia since 2016 *''Kefalonia'' (1995–2000), serving as ''Kefalonia'' for Levante Ferries since 2018 *''Ionian Bridge'' (1996–2000), scrapped as ''Duba'' in 2021 at Alang, India *''Sea Jet 1'' (1998–2000), serving as ''Super Jet'' for Seajets since 2004 *''Ionian Victory'' (1998–2000), scrapped as ''Ionian Sky'' in 2020 at Aliağa, Turkey *''Sea Jet 2'' (1999–2000), serving as ''Seajet 2'' for Seajets since 2006 *''Superferry Hellas'' (1999–2000), serving as Lefka Ori for Superfast Ferries since 2024
===As Blue Ferries and Blue Star Ferries=== *''Blue Bridge'' (2000–2004), scrapped as Duba in 2021 at Alang, India *''Blue Galaxy'' (2000–2001), scrapped as ''Merdif 2'' in 2011 at Alang, India *''Blue Island'' (2000–2001), scrapped as ''Merdif 1'' in 2010 at Alang, India *''Blue Sky'' (2000–2004), scrapped as ''Ionian Sky'' in 2020 at Aliağa, Turkey *''Kefalonia'' (2000–2004), serving as ''Kefalonia'' for Levante Ferries since 2018 *''Sea Jet 1'' (2000–2003), serving as ''Super Jet'' for Seajets since 2004 *''Sea Jet 2'' (2000–2006), serving as ''Seajet 2'' for Seajets since 2006 *''Blue Aegean'' (2001–2002), scrapped as ''Mahabba'' in 2021 at Colombo, Sri Lanka *''Superferry II'' (2000–2011), serving as ''SuperStar'' for Seajets since 2021 *''Blue Star Ithaki'' (2000–2014), serving as ''MV Fundy Rose'' for Bay Ferries since 2014 * ''Blue Horizon'' (2000-2023), serving as ''Lefka Ori'' for Superfast Ferries since 2024 * ''Blue Galaxy'' (2015-2024), serving as ''Kissamos'' for ANEK Lines since 2024
==Routes== === Piraeus–Cyclades ===
* Piraeus–Paros–Naxos–Ios–Santorini (''Blue Star Delos'') * Piraeus–Paros–Naxos–Irakleia–Schoinousa–Koufonisia–Amorgos (''Blue Star Naxos'') * Piraeus–Syros–Tinos–Mykonos (''Blue Star Paros'')
=== Piraeus–Dodecanese === * Piraeus–Syros–Amorgos–Patmos–Leros–Kos–Rhodes (''Blue Star 2'') * Piraeus–Astypalaia–Fournoi–Ikaria–Patmos–Leipsoi–Leros–Kalymnos–Kos–Nisyros–Tilos–Symi–Rhodes–Kasos–Karpathos–Kastellorizo (''Blue Star Patmos'') * Piraeus–Santorini–Anafi–Heraklion–Kasos–Karpathos–Diafani–Chalki–Rhodes-Sitia (''Blue Star Chios'')
=== Piraeus–Northeast Aegean Sea === * Piraeus–Chios/Mesta–Mytilene (''Blue Star 1'') * Piraeus–Syros–Patmos–Ikaria–Fournoi Korseon–Samos–Chios–Mytilene–Limnos–Kavala (''Blue Star Myconos'')
==Media== One of Blue Star Ferries' boats took the role of ''Princess Myrto'' on the Greek TV show ''Θα Σε Δω Στο Πλοίο'' (literally translated: ''I'll See You on the Ferry'') broadcast by Alpha TV, a Greek channel, from 2000 to 2002. The majority of the filming for this series was on the boat itself except for on-location filming of the characters on holiday or on leave. This is still being broadcast in certain Greek-speaking countries, including Cyprus.
== Controversy == On September 5, 2023, a 36 year old passenger of Blue Horizon, owned by Blue Star Ferries, on his effort to catch the ship on time, fell overboard and drowned at the port of Piraeus. The company initially denied any responsibility claiming that the man slipped, but video footage that was released later showed clearly that he was pushed off the ship's hatch by crew members. At that time the ship was departing with her propellers full ahead and the man drowned due to heavy turbulence. The video showed that the ship continued her course and the crew neither offered help nor reported "man overboard" as should. After the video was released on social media the ship, who had continued her voyage to Crete, was ordered to return to the port where the captain and the responsible crew members were arrested by the port police.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newsroom |date=2023-09-06 |title=Man dies after being forcefully pushed off ferry in Piraeus {{!}} eKathimerini.com |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1219320/man-dies-after-been-forcefully-pushed-off-ferry-in-piraeus/ |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=www.ekathimerini.com |language=English}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20151222111551/http://www.marinews.com.gr/presentation-blue-star-patmos/ Παρουσίαση Blue Star Patmos] {{in lang|el}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20151222131544/http://www.marinews.com.gr/presentation-blue-star-delos/ Παρουσίαση Blue Star Delos] {{in lang|el}}
==External links== *{{commonscatinline}} *[https://www.bluestarferries.com/ Official Website] *[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL25B7E0540A39D202 Blue Star Ferries' ships videos]
Category:Ferry companies of Greece Category:Companies based in Athens Category:Transport companies established in 2000 Category:Greek brands