MS Nils Holgersson (1986)

History
King Seaways in Ijmuiden

Name:	1987–1993: Nils Holgersson 1993–2006: Val de Loire 2006–2011: King of Scandinavia 2011–present: King Seaways
Owner:	1987–1992: Wallenius Safe Felicia Ab 1992–1993: SweFerry Ab 1993–2006: Bretagne Angleterre Irlande SA 2006–present: DFDS
Operator:	1987–1992: TT Line 1993–2006: Brittany Ferries 2006–present: DFDS Seaways
Port of registry:	1987–1993: Trelleborg, Sweden 1993–2006: Morlaix, France 2006–present: Copenhagen, Denmark
Route:	North Shields—IJmuiden (currently)
Builder:	Schichau Seebeckwerft, Bremerhaven, West Germany
Yard number:	1059
Launched:	16 August 1986
Acquired:	20 February 1987
Maiden voyage:	26 June 1987
In service:	26 June 1987
Identification:	Call sign: OVOL2 IMO number: 8502406 MMSI number: 220449000
Status:	In service
General characteristics (as built)
Class and type:	Peter Pan-class cruiseferry
Tonnage:	31,360 GT 4,160 DWT
Length:	161.45 meters
Beam:	27.6 meters
Draught:	6.20 meters
Installed power:	4 × MaK 8M552 combined 19570 kW
Speed:	21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Capacity:	1,800 passengers 1,320 passenger berths 550 cars 1,410 lanemeters
General characteristics (currently)
Tonnage:	31,788 GT 4,110 DWT
Length:	161.0 m (528 ft 3 in)
Beam:	27.6 m (90 ft 7 in)
Draught:	6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
Decks:	9
Capacity:	2,280 passengers 1,686 passenger berths 570 cars 1,250 lanemeters

MS King Seaways is a cruiseferry operated and owned by the Danish shipping company DFDS Seaways on a route connecting North Shields, effectively the port of Newcastle upon Tyne, (being 6 miles to the east of the city), England to IJmuiden in the Netherlands. She was built in 1987 as MS Nils Holgersson by Schichau Unterweser, Bremerhaven, West Germany for TT-Line. Between 1993 and 2006 the ship was named MV Val de Loire, owned by Brittany Ferries and used on traffic across the English Channel. A DFDS vessel since 2006, she was originally named MS King of Scandinavia, before being given her current name in 2011.

The MS Nils Holgersson (fourth ship to bear the name in TT-Line's fleet) was built as the younger sister of the MS Peter Pan. The sisters were notably larger than any ships to have sailed for TT-Line before. Originally the Nils Holgersson was ordered by Ab Swecarrier (owners of TT-Line), but during construction she was sold to Wallenius Rederiet. When she was delivered in February 1987 the ship was bareboat-chartered back to Swecarrier, and began service between Trelleborg (Sweden) and Travemünde (West Germany) in June of the same year. In February 1992 the ship was sold to SweFerry, but kept in the same traffic.

In January 1993 the Nils Holgersson was sold to Brittany Ferries and renamed MV Val de Loire. Before entering service for her new owners, the ship was rebuilt at INMA, La Spezia, Italy with a new streamlined forward superstructure, a new bow door and refurbished interiors. Inside the theme used was "Maritime Tradition", with many artifacts and ship models on display in her public areas. The facilities on board Val de Loire were very similar in style to those found on board the Normandie and the Barfleur. The Val de Loire was the first Brittany Ferries vessel to include a swimming pool, though when the ship was transferred to the Portsmouth–St Malo route it was rarely open.

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