ODESA, JUNE, 15th, 2009, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE – After a year break M/V Yuzhnaya Palmira renews operation on theline Odesa – Istanbul – Odesa, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

Roman Morgenshtern, Ukrferry Marketing and Development Director informed about it today, 15 June during a press-conference.

“The necessity to get Yuzhnaya Palmira back to the Black Sea was provoked first of all by the demand for passenger shipments and cruises in this area”, — Mr. Morgenshtern said.

“This year the number of those who wish to go on a cruise increased. This was exactly why Yuzhnaya Palmira came back to Odesa. We cannot say so far what will be next year, she might probably return in the Mediterranean or the Red Sea. Yuzhnaya Palmira is three times larger then Caledonia – veteran ship operating on this line. We hope the workload will be full”, —

Mr. Morgenshtern stressed.

“I was really upset the leader of Ukrainian fleet Yuzhnaya Palmira went to work in other places. And I am really glad this vessel is returning on Odesa – Istanbul – Odesa line”, — Consul General of the Turkish Republic to Ukraine, Murat Tamer.

Press-secretary of the Association of Ship-Owners of Ukraine, Aleksandr Fedorov, reminded since last May Yuzhnaya Palmira had been working on invite of a Spanish operator ISCOMAR in the Mediterranean Sea between Valencia and Ibiza and Dénia.

INFORMATION: Ukrferry Shipping Company was established in October 1995 with the purpose of developing ferry transportation in the Black Sea area, increasing efficiency of operations of rail ferry service Illichivsk (Ukraine) — Varna (Bulgaria) as well as developing other directions of marine trade. SC Ukrferry is the owner/ operator/ charterer of rail ferries Geroi Shipki and Geroi Plevny, passenger ferries Caledonia and Yuzhnaya Palmyra and also the Bareboat-Charterer of a Ro-Ro vessel of Akademik Tupolev type. Since its foundation SC Ukrferry has been operating international Rail/Ro-Ro ferry service Illichivsk (Ukraine) — Varna (Bulgaria). In December 1996 in frames of TRACECA corridor the company started operating on the ferry route Ukraine — Georgia. Since November 1998 Ukrferry Shipping Company has been carrying out cargo-passenger transportation on Odessa — Istanbul (Turkey) line by passenger ferry Caledonia, In May 2001, the Company launched a new Rail/Ro-Ro ferry route Illichivsk — Derince (Turkey). The Company also provides tourist and crewing services as well as Internet services.

M/V Yuzhnaya Palmyra is a cruise ferry previously serving the ferry lines between Poland and Sweden. The vessel can carry up to 534 passengers: 464 passengers in cabins with private facilities and 70 in the airseat salon. The vessel can also carry up to 277 cars or 26 trucks. The ferry is classified by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, and meets the latest SOLAS requirements. There are a number of facilities for the convenience of Yuzhnaya Palmyra passengers, such as a comfortable restaurant, a music hall, 4 bars, a night club, a cinema, Games Room for children, a Beauty Centre and slot-machines. Cruises, conferences, presentations, festivals, training seminars as well as exhibitions can be arranged on board the vessel.