The Ship “Fosfórico” Remains in Service 50 Years Later

With fifty years of maritime life under its keel, the ship “Agia Zoni III,” formerly known as “Fosfórico,” continues to serve as a bunker ship in the port of Piraeus. It was the first vessel to fly the flag of Naviera Química, a company founded in 1967 between Naviera Vizcaína and Vasco-Madrileña de Navegación, based in Bilbao.

Construction number 104 from the Tomás Ruiz de Velasco shipyard in Biscay, it was launched on its side and entered service in January 1969. For 31 years, it belonged to the aforementioned Naviera Química, a company that had a fleet of twelve ships throughout its existence. In 1989, the company was sold to Seatankers Management, whose main shareholder was John Fredriksen, and in 2004 it passed to C. Eitzen.

In February 2000, the ship “Fosfórico” was sold to Greek interests and since then has changed hands in the Hellenic country under the names “Argo” (2000-2005), “Antonios P” (2005-2007), “Dias” (2007-2008), “Afeas” (2008-2009), and the current name, “Agia Zoni III,” which it has held since then.

Weighing 1,241 gross tons and 1,928 deadweight tons, it measures 77.30 m in length and 12.30 m in beam, with a depth of 5.5 m and a draft of 4.8 m. It is powered by a Naval Stork Werkspoor engine, with 1,550 horsepower on a shaft, allowing it to maintain a speed of 13 knots. IMO Code 6902004.

Photo: Dennis Mortimer (shipspotting.com)