One of the vehicle carriers owned by Grimaldi Lines was the 1976 built ADIGE.
She was built in Japan by Honda Heavy Industries at Saiki as the general cargo ship BLUE PEGASUS with yard no 634 until a year later where she was converted into a car carrier and emerged as PEGASUS ACE trading until 1981 where she was renamed as OAK MARINER. In 1984 she was acquired by Grimaldi Siosa Line renamed ADIGE and homeported at Valletta (MLT).
With 120.06 metres long and 23.04 metres beam with a 7,322 deadweight (dwt) tons she was a frequent caller to Valletta.
On 21st October 1988, while approximately one mile offshore the port of Piraeus on a eight day cruise, Epirotiki Lines 1961 built passenger ship JUPITER was struck by the Italian car carrier Adige from the Grimaldi Siosa Line. At the time, JUPITER had 415 students and 60 teachers from 30 different British schools onboard. As a result of the collision, JUPITER developed a list rendering her lifeboats inoperable. Most of her passengers and crew were rescued by local small craft who had come to their rescue. She sank in a very fast forty minutes after the collision. Unfortunately, two of JUPITER’s passengers, a 14 year old female student, a teacher and two Greek crew members died as a result. There were a total of 64 injured.
During 1996 she was spotted with the same livery but ONLY Grimaldi Line written.
In 1998 she was renamed VITTORIOSA.
She arrived at Alang, India for breakers on 27th January, 2001.
Grimaldi Group is represented in Malta by Sullivan Maritime Ltd – www.sullivanmaritime.com
Watermarked Photos are by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. NO PHOTOS can be used or manipulated without our permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Monday 17th January, 2022.
