Then it's all eyes on the Greek owners now, they're the only hope left... :)

Cheers

Vlad

Rd77...this size of passenger ferry is no longer profitable in the Philippines. The government has long been working its "nautical highway" project. Inter-island hopping is now serviced by short haul small or medium size roro-ferry between islands then continue by land travel (car/lorry) as far as southern provinces. Also, cheap airfares are blooming so air travel is more practical and convenient nowadays....the result, Aboitiz gave up its Super Ferry business. Also Negros Navigation, Gothong, Sulpicio Lines, and William Lines once a giant inter-island passenger ferry operators are now things of the past.
So seeing these Japanese roro ferries tied so long and directly delivered to Alang is very understandable why.

The new SUISEN seems to be on daily Tomakomai-Tsuruga service.

The old SUZURAN listed as renamed after sale back in 2013. However, seems to arrived Aioi 31/5/2016, though different berth to where UTOPIA 2 was (probably where Steve was to take his photo last December)
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2492726

Yes Vlad, it is very confusing, both SUISEN's still carry the same name. The old SUZURAN has at least been renamed, to HAKUOU, and seems to be running some kind of government service.

Ralph, marinetraffic.com shows "Suisen" at Tomakomai in Japan, and lists her speed as a wicked (for me, at least) 30 knots...wait.

Wait. I've got the wrong "Suisen"! This is the old one, built in 1996, IMO No. 9116278. I see she's listed for sale for 15m $, but can not fond the date of the information (and the site shows the photo of the new Suisen!)...

Cheers

Vlad

Indeed Vlad, the TOP (ex-UTOPIA 2) would appear to have been beached at Alang on 5/7/'16 at the tender age of 29.
I do not understand why the SUISEN still hasn't found new employment. Surely some Greeks or Filipinos ought to be interested in her?