TURKISH MARITIME LINES. S.S. "Akdeniz" leaving Istanbul (1995)

TURKISH MARITIME LINES / DENIZYOLLARI İŞLETMESI. S.S. "Akdeniz" leaving Istanbul in 06.10.1995. Photo: Andrew Kilk. Postcard by C.T. Publishing, No. 074 (1996).
[Built by the A.G. Weser Shipyards in Bremen/Bremerhaven (Germany), the "Akdeniz" was delivered to the Tirkish Maritime Lines in December 1955 and commence services in North and South Mediterranean. From 1960 the "Akdeniz" first served on the Istanbul- Izmir and Black Sea Express service. After 1960, she commenced on a 25-day Istanbul to Barcelona service sailing via Piraeus, Naples, Genoa and Marseilles, with occasional Calls to Beirut and Alexandria (until the Lebanese civil war). From 1988 to 1989, "Akdeniz" had a change of livery, a dark blue hull, red boot topping and white masts. Also her far forward and aft electric cranes and derricks over the cargo holds were removed as the ship no longer carried general cargo. As "Akdeniz" had become a much loved ship by the cruising public, she continued to be extremely successful, thus Turkish Maritime Lines decided that it was time give her an extensive upgrade! The refit would take place in 1989, which saw her passenger capacity lowered to just 314 with all cabins being upgraded and given private facilities. In addition she was finally fully air-conditioned. There were further upgrades, including the all important ones on the Bridge, which received the very latest navigational and international safety equipment, etc. Upon completion she had been repainted all white once again, but retained her red boot topping. Her life boats were also still white, but later they would become red, as they are to this day. She was completed in 1990 and she recommenced her cruise duties and became acclaimed for her, elegance, comfort and style! In 1997 the ITU Maritime Faculty connected to the Istanbul Teknik University was looking for a suitable vessel for their Faculty and as the Akdeniz became available it was decided that she would be the perfect ship for the Faculty! MS "Akdeniz" was handed over to the ITU Maritime Faculty in the port of Tuzla on July 2, 1997.]

TURKISH MARITIME LINES / DENIZYOLLARI İŞLETMESI. El S.S. "Akdeniz" zarpando de Istanbul el 06.10.1995. Foto: Andrew Kilk. Tarjeta postal de C.T. Publishing, N.º 074 (1996).

TURKISH MARITIME LINES / DENIZYOLLARI İŞLETMESI. El S.S. "Akdeniz" salpant d'Istanbul el 06.10.1995. Foto: Andrew Kilk. Targeta postal de C.T. Publishing, Nº 074 (1996).

TURKISH MARITIME LINES / DENIZYOLLARI İŞLETMESI. Le S.S. "Akdeniz" au départ d'Istanbul le 06.10.1995. Photo: Andrew Kilk. Carte postale de C.T. Publishing, Nº 074 (1996).

TURKISH MARITIME LINES / DENIZYOLLARI İŞLETMESI. Il S.S. "Akdeniz" in partenza da Istanbul il 06.10.1995. Foto: Andrew Kilk. Cartolina di C.T. Publishing, Nº 074 (1996).

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