Stena Horsa was quickly bought by Agoudimos Lines, leaving lay-up in February 1992 for Greece. Emerging after refit as the Penelope A, the ship settled into operations out of Rafina through to Mykonos. The expansion of Minoan Flying Dolphins (Hellas Ferries) did not bypass Agoudimos, and the Horsa and her operation was purchased, the ship being re-united after 1999 with her former sisters Hengist and Senlac in this fleet, her name being amended to Express Penelope in line with Hellas' policy.
Hellas Ferries' decline was as rapid as their emergence, and the ship was somewhat surprisingly sold in early 2004 back to her previous owners, Agoudimos, once again being renamed Penelope A. She continued to operate out of Rafina, only now in competition with Hellas Ferries (latterly Hellenic Seaways) until that company subsequently abandoned conventional operations from the port. Having sold both the former Hengist and Horsa to competitors, HSW would not repeat this mistake and the subsequent disposals of the Express Adonis, Express Apollon, Express Aprhodite, Express Olympia and Express Poseidon were either directly for scrap or to non-competing operators with clauses for no onward sale included. In the early years of the century, the 35-year (and falling) age limit for domestic Greek ferries cast a shadow over the Penelope A's future but she benefitted from a relatively large refurbishment before the 2005 season. Just in time, the rule was thankfully abolished and she remains in operation for Agoudimos on the only Greek route she has ever served, remaining popular particularly with islanders. More modern competition began to slightly put the ship in the shade however and her owners may opt to upgrade their operation in due course although, with older and smaller ships in use in the fleet elsewhere, whether that will be the end for the Penelope A is open to question. |
