The 1964 built ferry AZZURRA was a familiar sight in Libya of which more than 64,000 people fleeing from the conflict were evacuated with 18 voyages made from Libya from as early in the crisis as 8th March 2011. She entered all the major ports such as Tripoli, Misurata, Sirte, Benghazi and supporting Syrian, Tunisian, Chinese, Somalian, Sudanese and Egyptian countries evacuate their nationals, with Qatari support.
Leaving Misurata Port, Libya back in 20th May, 2011.
She was built in Germany by Schiffbau Geshellshaft Unterweser, Bremerhaven as yard no 439 with name GRENAA trading until 1971; KALLE from 1971 to 1974; OLAU WEST from 1974 to 1977; CORSICA MARINA from 1977 to 1990; KELIBIA from 1990 to 1998; SCENT OF SEA from 1998 to 1999; NORTHIA from 1999 to 2001. Then she was renamed AZZURRA running for Azzurra Lines, Italy from 2001 to 2010 operating between Dubrovnik, Durres, Kotor & Bari and acquired by Fergun Ferries East Med Lines in 2010 retaining her name.
Until August 2011 she was also chartered to the International Organization for Migration (IOM); NATO; Turkish Red Cross and the World Food Programme (WFP).
AZZURRA could accommodate 700 passengers, 70 cars or 25 semi-trailers and up to 40 20-foot containers.
Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Tuesday 12th May, 2020
