KOTAIX is a Chilean double-ended passenger and vehicle ferry with a strong connection to Piraeus and the Salamis ferry route. Built in Greece in 2017, she originally entered service as THEOCHARIS MARIA L for Karnesis–Lalousis NE and operated on the busy Perama–Paloukia, Salamis crossing. The vessel was registered in Piraeus and became a familiar sight in the western part of the port before being sold abroad in 2021.
The ferry was designed as a large double-ended Ro-Ro unit, allowing vehicles to embark and disembark from either end without the need for the vessel to turn around. Naval architects Petychaki list her at 92.68 metres in length, 17.56 metres in breadth, with a draught of 2.90 metres and capacity for around 164 cars on the main vehicle deck.
In 2021, THEOCHARIS MARIA L was sold for service in South America and renamed KOTAIX. During her delivery voyage from Greece, the ferry called at Santa Cruz de Tenerife after sailing from Piraeus, before continuing towards the Americas. She initially sailed under the flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and later transferred to the Chilean flag.
Vessel Details
Name: KOTAIX Former Name: THEOCHARIS MARIA L IMO: 9825996 MMSI: 725003966 Call Sign: CA8499 Type: Double-Ended Passenger / Ro-Ro Ferry Flag: Chile Built: 2017 Country of Construction: Greece Naval Architecture: Petychaki Naval Architects Current Registered Owner: Inversiones Santa Bertina S.A. Commercial Manager: Somarco Length Overall: 92.68–92.70 m Beam: 17.56 m Draught: approx. 2.90 m Gross Tonnage: 1,512 GT Deadweight: 920 t in current Chilean registry data Original Greek design DWT: 1,964 t Vehicle Capacity: approx. 164 cars Current Area of Operation: Southern Chile
History
The vessel entered service at the end of 2017 as THEOCHARIS MARIA L. She was built for Karnesis–Lalousis NE and deployed on the short but extremely intensive Perama–Salamis crossing. Her sister ship was IOANNIS SOPHIA K, built a year earlier. Contemporary records show THEOCHARIS MARIA L operating between Perama and Paloukia from her first months in service and regularly undergoing maintenance in the shipyards around Salamis and Perama.
Following her sale in 2021, the vessel became KOTAIX and left Piraeus for South America. By the end of 2022, Chile’s official merchant-fleet register listed KOTAIX under Inversiones Santa Bertina S.A., with 1,512 GT, 920 dwt and dimensions of approximately 93 × 17.5 metres.
Current AIS records in 2026 show KOTAIX continuing to operate in southern Chile, particularly in the Hornopirén–Leptepu area, where double-ended ferries are well suited to short coastal routes requiring frequent vehicle loading and rapid turnaround.
Piraeus Connection
The ship’s connection with Piraeus is much stronger than that of a typical foreign ferry. Before becoming KOTAIX, she spent her entire early career in the wider Piraeus–Salamis area as THEOCHARIS MARIA L. Photographic records confirm her at Perama and Piraeus repeatedly between 2017 and 2019, including regular crossings to Paloukia.
PiraeuShips Record
KOTAIX was recorded by PiraeuShips during her Greek career as well as around the time of her transformation from THEOCHARIS MARIA L to KOTAIX. Her presence in the archive is particularly interesting because she represents a modern Greek-built double-ended ferry that began life on the Perama–Salamis route before being exported to Chile, where she remains in active service today.
THEOLOGOS P is a Greek conventional Ro-Pax ferry operated by Fast Ferries and one of the vessels most closely associated with the company’s expansion in the Cyclades. Built in Japan in 2000 as FERRY KOCHI, the ship was acquired by Fast Ferries in 2006, transferred to Greece and extensively converted at Perama before entering service under her present name in 2007. Her arrival marked a major turning point for Fast Ferries, as THEOLOGOS P became the company’s first vessel to establish regular Cyclades operations from Rafina.
The vessel was built by Yamanishi Corporation at Ishinomaki, Japan, as yard number 1018. She measures 118.14 metres in length and 21 metres in beam, with a gross tonnage of 4,935 GT and deadweight of 3,227 tonnes. Propulsion is provided by two Niigata 9PC2-6L diesel engines developing a combined 9,929 kW, giving a service speed of around 19–20 knots.
In 2026, THEOLOGOS P remains active with Fast Ferries and continues to operate mainly from Rafina to Andros, Tinos and Mykonos, with additional calls such as Paros and Naxos appearing in seasonal schedules. Fast Ferries still lists the vessel as an active member of its fleet.
Vessel Details
Name: THEOLOGOS P Former Name: FERRY KOCHI IMO: 9223150 MMSI: 240521000 Call Sign: SZNB Type: Ro-Pax Passenger / Vehicle Ferry Flag: Greece Port of Registry: Piraeus Built: 2000 Builder: Yamanishi Corporation, Ishinomaki, Japan Yard Number: 1018 Operator / Owner: Fast Ferries Classification: Bureau Veritas Length Overall: 118.14 m Beam: 21.00 m Draught: approx. 4.7–5.2 m Gross Tonnage: 4,935 GT Deadweight: 3,227 t Main Engines: 2 × Niigata 9PC2-6L Total Power: approx. 9,929 kW Service Speed: approx. 19–20 knots Maximum Speed: approx. 22 knots Passenger Capacity: around 1,150–1,200 Vehicle Capacity: around 300 cars, depending on loading configuration Ro-Ro Capacity: approx. 876 lane metres
History
The vessel was laid down in October 1999, launched in April 2000 and delivered in July 2000 as FERRY KOCHI to Osaka Kochi Express Ferry. She entered service between Osaka and Kochi in August 2000 and remained in Japanese domestic service until the company ceased operations in 2005.
Fast Ferries acquired the laid-up vessel in April 2006. She arrived at Perama on 25 May 2006, where she underwent an extensive conversion for Greek service. The work included major alterations to her passenger spaces, machinery and open decks, while the garage was adapted to improve the carriage of trucks and other vehicles.
In 2007, the renamed THEOLOGOS P entered service on the Rafina–Andros–Tinos–Mykonos route. The vessel proved successful enough that Fast Ferries subsequently concentrated more of its fleet on Cyclades services. Apart from seasonal extensions to islands such as Naxos and Paros, this corridor has remained the ship’s principal area of operation.
Piraeus Connection
Although THEOLOGOS P is mainly associated operationally with Rafina rather than Piraeus, she has an important direct connection with Piraeus. The vessel has been registered at Piraeus since entering Greek service, while her major Greek conversion was carried out at Perama. She has also been photographed and recorded in Piraeus during maintenance and other visits.
PiraeuShips Record
THEOLOGOS P was recorded at Piraeus by PiraeuShips during her Greek career with Fast Ferries. The recording preserves a vessel that played a major role in the development of Fast Ferries’ Cyclades operations after her transformation from the Japanese FERRY KOCHI. Her conversion at Perama and Piraeus registry also give her a direct historical connection with the wider Piraeus maritime area, despite her regular service being centred on Rafina.
THASSOS II is a Greek-built double-ended passenger and vehicle ferry completed in 2011, originally entering service under the name FILOTHEOS.
Constructed at Theodoropoulos General Marine Repairs at Ampelakia, Salamis, the ferry was initially employed on the busy Paloukia–Perama crossing before being sold in 2012 and transferred to northern Greece.
Renamed THASSOS II, she subsequently became closely associated with ANETH – the Thassos Shipping Company and the intensive ferry service between Keramoti and Thassos.
Fifteen years after construction, she remains one of the principal double-ended ferries serving the island in 2026.
Vessel Details
Current Name: THASSOS II
Former Name: FILOTHEOS
IMO: 9636709
MMSI: 239691400
Call Sign: SVA3807
Type: Double-Ended Passenger / Ro-Ro Ferry
Flag: Greece
Port of Registry: Piraeus
Built: 2011
Builder: Theodoropoulos General Marine Repairs, Ampelakia, Salamis, Greece
Original Owner: Livadas interests
Current Registered Owner: Thassos Shipping Co. S.A.
Operator: ANETH
Registry / Database Length: approx. 107.03 m
Builder's Original Published Length: 105.40 m
Beam: approx. 18.0–18.08 m
Loaded Draught: approx. 2.7 m
Gross Tonnage: 999 GT
Deadweight: approx. 249 t
Main Engines: 4 × Guascor
Main Engine Power: 4 × 785 hp
Total Main Engine Power: approx. 3,140 hp
Propulsion: Four directional propulsion units / thrusters
Service Speed: approx. 13 knots
Maximum Speed: approx. 14.5 knots
Original Passenger Capacity: 500
Original Car Capacity: 212
Current Route: Keramoti – Thassos
Current Status: Active
Built at Ampelakia
The vessel was constructed entirely in Greece at:
Theodoropoulos General Marine Repairs – Ampelakia, Salamis
and completed during the summer of 2011.
Her launching took place on:
16 July 2011.
The ship was designed as a large double-ended ferry specifically suited to short, intensive crossings where rapid loading and unloading are essential.
Double-Ended Design
Unlike a conventional ferry, THASSOS II does not need to perform a complete turning manoeuvre every time she enters or leaves port.
Vehicle ramps are located at both ends, while the propulsion and manoeuvring arrangement allows the vessel to operate effectively in either direction.
This configuration is particularly advantageous on short shuttle routes.
It reduces:
port turnaround time
manoeuvring time
and unnecessary movement inside confined harbour areas.
Four Guascor Main Engines
The original builder's specification lists:
4 × Guascor main engines
each producing approximately:
785 hp at 1,800 rpm
giving a combined output of approximately:
3,140 hp.
The vessel was also designed with four propulsion units capable of producing the manoeuvring power required for double-ended operation.
Builder specifications quote:
Service speed: 13 knots
Maximum speed: 14.5 knots.
Vehicle Capacity
The original arrangement provided:
168 car spaces on the main garage deck
plus:
44 additional spaces on the lower garage
giving a total nominal capacity of:
212 cars.
The original passenger certificate quoted by the builder was for:
500 passengers.
Later ferry databases sometimes quote higher passenger figures following subsequent certification or modifications, but the 500-passenger and 212-car figures are the original yard specification.
FILOTHEOS
The ferry entered service under the name:
FILOTHEOS
and initially worked on the extremely busy:
Paloukia – Perama
crossing.
This route between Salamis and the Piraeus mainland is one of Greece's most intensive short-sea ferry operations and is ideally suited to large double-ended vessels.
FILOTHEOS operated there from 2011 until the first half of 2012.
Sold to Thassos
In July 2012, the ferry was sold and left the Salamis–Perama service.
She was transferred to northern Greece and renamed:
THASSOS II
The verified identity history is therefore straightforward:
FILOTHEOS → THASSOS II
The name reflected her new long-term area of operation.
Keramoti – Thassos
THASSOS II became associated with the short crossing between:
Keramoti
and
Limenas, Thassos.
This route is one of Greece's busiest island ferry links.
Its short distance and high traffic volume require vessels capable of:
frequent departures
rapid port turnarounds
large vehicle intake
and reliable year-round operation.
The double-ended configuration of THASSOS II is particularly well suited to precisely this type of service.
ANETH
The ferry now operates with ANETH, the long-established Thassos shipping company.
ANETH was founded in 1974 by shareholders from Thassos with the objective of maintaining dependable ferry links between the island and mainland Greece.
The company's current fleet includes:
THASSOS I
THASSOS II
THASSOS III
and
AGIOS PANTELEIMON
together with vessels operating through cooperating companies.
Still Active in 2026
THASSOS II remains heavily employed in 2026.
September AIS records continue to show the ferry repeatedly crossing between:
Thassos and Keramoti
often performing numerous voyages each day.
The vessel also underwent scheduled maintenance during April 2026, including a visit to the Piraeus ship-repair area and the Vasileiadis drydock.
Piraeus Connection
THASSOS II has several connections with the wider Piraeus maritime area.
She was:
built at Ampelakia, Salamis
originally operated between:
Paloukia and Perama
and has periodically returned to Piraeus for maintenance and drydocking.
The vessel was documented at Piraeus in January and February 2019, during one such maintenance period.
PiraeuShips published its dedicated THASSOS II entry in February 2019.
PiraeuShips Record
THASSOS II was recorded at Piraeus by PiraeuShips in 2019 during a return to the maritime area where her career had begun. Built at Theodoropoulos General Marine Repairs at Ampelakia, Salamis, in 2011, the double-ended ferry originally entered service as FILOTHEOS on the Paloukia–Perama crossing. Sold in July 2012 and renamed THASSOS II, she moved to northern Greece and became closely associated with ANETH and the intensive Keramoti–Thassos service. Still operating this route in 2026, the Greek-built ferry remains a good example of the large double-ended vessels developed specifically for the country's high-frequency short-distance ferry links.
