Osman Gazi-1 and Orhan Gazi-1 once carried thousands of passengers and cars between Istanbul and Bursa, and with their high speed and powerful engines they were among the most eye-catching ferries on the Sea of Marmara. So what happened to these two giant catamarans built in Australia?

From Australia to the Sea of Marmara

Osman Gazi-1 and Orhan Gazi-1 were built in 2007 by the Australian shipbuilder Austal. Around 88 metres long, they were designed for fast passenger and vehicle service between Yenikapı in Istanbul and Mudanya in Bursa.

Thanks to their twin-hull catamaran design, the ships could reach high speeds and played an important role in the İDO fleet.

Fast ferry Osman Gazi-1 arriving at Güzelyalı, Mudanya
Osman Gazi-1 in İDO colours arriving at Güzelyalı, Mudanya (2009). Photo: Darwinek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Technical specifications of Osman Gazi-1 and Orhan Gazi-1

What made these ships stand out was the combination of high engine power and waterjet propulsion.

  • Ship type: High-speed passenger and vehicle catamaran
  • Length: About 88 metres
  • Beam: 24 metres
  • Main engines: 4 × MTU 20V 8000 series diesel engines
  • Total installed power: About 28,800 kW
  • Speed: About 36 knots, or roughly 67 km/h
  • Original design capacity: 1,200 passengers and 225 cars
  • Propulsion: 4 waterjets

A waterjet system pushes the vessel forward by expelling seawater at high speed. It is one of the key propulsion technologies used on high-speed craft.

Note: Capacity and speed figures reflect the ships’ original technical data; current operating values may differ.

Ferry Osman Gazi-1 at Yenikapı
Osman Gazi-1 at Yenikapı (2022). Photo: Kurmanbek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where are the two ferries now?

After their İDO years, Osman Gazi-1 and Orhan Gazi-1 joined the fleet of Greece-based Seajets in 2024.

Their new names are:

  • Osman Gazi-1 → Champions League Jet 1
  • Orhan Gazi-1 → Champions League Jet 2

So the two catamarans that once served the Sea of Marmara moved into a new chapter under new names. For their current routes and operating status, the operator’s latest records should be checked.

Former Osman Gazi-1 as Champions League Jet 1 off Mykonos
The former Osman Gazi-1 in Seajets colours as Champions League Jet 1 off Mykonos (September 2025). Photo: Periperi99 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Conclusion

With their roughly 88-metre hulls, four-engine propulsion and large passenger capacity, Osman Gazi-1 and Orhan Gazi-1 left their mark on fast sea transport in Türkiye.

The story of these two Australian-built catamarans, from İDO to Seajets, shows how ships can carry on their seagoing lives in different countries and with different operators.

Have you ever travelled on Osman Gazi-1 or Orhan Gazi-1? Share your thoughts in the comments.

🚢 Follow Mavi Rota Marine for technical insights and interesting ship stories from the maritime world.

Sources

Cover photo: Osman Gazi-1 off Mudanya (2009). Darwinek / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)