Cracovia Vessel Reviews and Specifications

Nouris el Bahr Ferries has officially announced the extension of its charter agreement for the ferry 'Cracovia' from Polferries. This extension will take effect in November 2025 and is set for an additional 12-month period. The 'Cracovia' joined the Nouris el Bahr Ferries fleet last year, servicing routes between Algeria and popular destinations such as Alicante and Marseille. The decision to charter the vessel came about after Polferries determined that 'Cracovia' was surplus to requirements within its Baltic Sea operations, especially following the introduction of its newbuild vessel, 'Varsovia'.

On December 13, 2024, the 'Cracovia', operated by the shipping company Nouris El Bahr, faced an unexpected delay at the port of Marseille, impacting 600 passengers who were scheduled to arrive in Algiers that evening. French authorities initiated a comprehensive security inspection of the ferry, prompting a strong response from Nouris El Bahr, which deemed the check as arbitrary. The company highlighted that a valid safety certificate issued by Spanish authorities typically granted them the right to operate without interruption for six months. After several tense hours, the 'Cracovia' was finally cleared and resumed its journey toward Algiers, albeit with a slight delay. The inspection was defended by French maritime authorities, who cited the necessity of ensuring compliance with stringent European safety regulations. However, representatives from Nouris El Bahr criticized the action as illegal, pointing out that a similar inspection had already been performed in October. They labeled the delay as an 'obstruction of European rules', noting that such repetitive inspections are not the norm and adversely affect their business operations. Ultimately, the 'Cracovia' reached Algiers on December 14, 2024, albeit later than planned.

Polska Zegluga Baltycka, commonly known as Polferries, has successfully finalized the acquisition of the DRUJBA, a secondhand ro-pax ferry hailing from Bulgaria. This vessel boasts an impressive capacity of 2,196 lane meters and can accommodate up to 550 passengers. The acquisition reflects Polferries' commitment to enhancing its fleet and improving passenger and freight services in the Baltic Sea region.