Nova Star ferry
Former names : BO619, Norman Leader
Nova Star ferry current position
The current location of Nova Star ferry is in Baltic Sea cruising en route to GDANSK. The AIS position was last reported 5 minutes ago.
Current PositionSpecifications of Nova Star ferry
| Year of build | 2011 / Age: 15 |
| Flag state | Bahamas |
| Builder | ST Marine (Singapore) |
| Class | cruiseferry (Ro-Pax ship) |
| Ferry route / homeports | Gdansk-Nynashamn |
| Building cost | USD 179 million |
| Speed | 21 kn / 39 km/h / 24 mph |
| Length (LOA) | 162 m / 531 ft |
| Beam (width) | 26 m / 85 ft |
| Gross Tonnage | 27744 gt |
| Passengers | 1215 |
| Crew | 21 |
| Cars | 200 |
| Freight vehicles | 164 |
| Seats | 248 |
| Beds | 648 |
| Cabins | 162 |
| Former names | BO619, Norman Leader |
| Owner | Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine) |
| Operator | POLFERRIES |
Nova Star ferry Review
Review of Nova Star ferry
MS Nova Star is a Ro-Pax passenger vessel operated by the Polish company POLFERRIES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1215 passengers and can carry 200 cars plus 164 trucks (trailers). Launched in 2011, the vessel currently operates on the Poland–Sweden ferry route Gdansk–Nynashamn (crossing time approx. 19 hours).
Cabins
As a cruise ferry, Nova Star has 162 cabins with a total of 648 berths. All staterooms are air-conditioned and feature en-suite bathrooms (washbasin, WC, shower). The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. The ship also offers 248 reclining seats (aircraft-type) available for pre-booking in the Reserved Seating Lounge.
The stateroom categories are as follows:
- 155 × 4-bed cabins
- 7 × Lux 4-bed cabins
Cabins are available as interior or exterior and in economy or luxury class.
All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 minutes prior to arrival at the homeport.
Shipboard dining and entertainment options
Facilities on the Nova Star include:
- Fathoms Buffet Restaurant (self-service)
- Currents à la Carte Restaurant
- Piper's Pub Restaurant
- Novatique Bar (cafeteria)
- Keys Piano Bar (live entertainment)
- Big Nellie's Casino (gaming lounge with Blackjack table and 70 slot machines)
- Conference Center and Theater
- Art Gallery
- Kids Zone – an indoor children’s playroom with a large TV and panoramic windows; supervised activities include organized arts-and-crafts competitions with prizes
- Reserved Seating Lounge with 248 reclining / Pullman seats
- Duty-Free Shop offering alcohol (liquors, beers, wines), tobacco products, perfumes and cosmetics, sunglasses, watches, jewelry, designer clothing and accessories (Levi's, Wrangler, Gatta, Wolbar, Cornette), electronics and gadgets, toys, confectionery, gifts, and souvenirs
- Wi-Fi and an ATM/cash machine (located next to the Information Desk/Reception)
The Sun Deck (outdoor seating area) also serves as a helideck (helicopter landing platform) used in emergencies.
All onboard emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on TV screens, and at the ship’s assembly (muster) stations. Life jackets are issued at the assembly stations. In an emergency, the use of elevators/passenger lifts is prohibited.
Car decks
The garage decks for cars and trucks are decks 3–4–5. They are connected by three ramps: one bow ramp, one stern ramp, and one tiltable ramp.
Car-deck safety procedures:
- Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should contact the ship's Information Desk.
- Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights. Gas cylinders, if carried, must be shut off. Lock the vehicle.
- Take only valuables and essential hand baggage from your vehicle.
- Note your vehicle’s location and the garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
- Access to vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is strictly prohibited.
- Smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges, is forbidden.
- Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
- To avoid air pollution, do not start the engine until instructed.
Polferries (fleet), founded in 1976 and headquartered in Kolobrzeg, is Poland’s largest ferry shipping company, operating multiple Baltic Sea routes connecting Poland with Sweden.
Photos of Nova Star ferry
Other POLFERRIES cruise ships
Nova Star ferry Wiki
The vessel was ordered in 2008, launched on October 8, 2009, christened in 2011 and delivered by ST Marine (Singapore) in May 2014. The inaugural cruise departed on May 15 from the Ocean Gateway International Marine Passenger Terminal in Portland, ME.
The ship's powerplant consists of 4 marine diesel engines (combined output 22.4 MW) and 3 auxiliary engines (combined output 4.62 MW). Propulsion includes 2 bow thrusters (total power 3 MW) and 2 shaft lines with controllable pitch propellers.
The vessel (originally named "Norman Leader") was built for the French shipping company LD Lines, which in 2007 signed a USD 179 million shipbuilding contract with ST Marine. LD Lines intended to deploy the ferry on the English Channel. However, the contract was canceled on March 17, 2011, due to “vessel capacities not corresponding with those specified originally.” The ship was subsequently sold to Nova Star Cruises and operated seasonally (summers 2014-2015) on the USA-Canada route Portland ME–Yarmouth NS.
In 2016-2018, the cruise ferry was chartered to Inter Shipping (a Morocco-based company founded in 2012) for the Spain-Morocco service Algeciras–Tangier.
The ferry features a cruise-ship-style design and amenities, including 2 restaurants, 3 bar lounges, a theater, casino, duty-free shop, kids' play area, spa, art gallery, and live entertainment.
In 2018, POLFERRIES (Polish Baltic Shipping Ltd) purchased the ferry and commenced operations on the Poland-Sweden route Gdansk–Nynashamn. On this service, MS Nova Star joined fleetmate Wawel, expanding the Poland-Sweden line to 6 weekly departures.
Nova Star Cruises
The initial shipowner, Nova Star Cruises Ltd, was a shipping company established in 2014 as a joint venture between Quest Navigation and ST Marine.
In November 2013, the company was awarded the Gulf of Maine ferry service contract for the Portland–Yarmouth route. The Nova Scotia government granted CAD 21 million in subsidies for the service over 7 years (CAD 3 million per year). Previously (until 2009), Bay Ferries operated the route with the high-speed ferry The Cat. Between 2010 and 2014, the Maine–Nova Scotia ferry service was suspended.
The Maine–Nova Scotia shuttle service began on May 15, 2014 (maiden crossing Portland–Yarmouth), with projected annual traffic of around 100,000 passengers. However, the 2014 season ended in October with only 59,000 passengers and the company owing suppliers over CAD 3 million. As a result, the Nova Scotia government spent the entire 7-year subsidy in 2014 alone, issuing an additional CAD 7.5 million to Nova Star Cruises in October 2014. In 2015, a further CAD 13 million was provided.
During the 2015 summer season, the company targeted 110,000 passengers, but carried only about 52,000. The Nova Scotia government then opened bids for a new service operator, receiving proposals from four companies. As the two-season (2014-2015) service carried far fewer passengers than expected, it cost Nova Scotia taxpayers a total of CAD 41 million.
Nova Star Cruises’ ferry service license was not renewed for 2016. The Gulf of Maine service was terminated and transferred to a new operator, Bay Ferries Ltd (a Canadian shipping company and subsidiary of Northumberland Ferries Ltd). The USA–Canada route is now operated with high-speed ferries.
In 2016, ST Marine canceled its lease agreement with Nova Star Cruises. The ship was relocated to Europe (Mediterranean) and subsequently chartered by Inter Shipping.