The first of three ‘Aero’ catamarans ordered a year ago by Attica Group, has been launched by Norwegian shipyard Brødrene Aa.
All Aero’s will be introduced in the Saronic Gulf service within 2022. A Greek crew is already in Norway to inspect and get acquainted with the first new vessel.
The total investment amounts up to EUR 21 million and is covered by equity and bank lending. All three ships are expected to be delivered within the first four months of 2022.
Length 36m | 150 pax | 34 knots
Anek Lines’ ASTERION II is being chartered by Attica Group and will be operated by Superfast Ferries on the Patras-Igoumenitsa-Venice line.
The ropax was purchased by Alphaglobe Shipping Ltd. in 2018 and chartered (long-term time charter with purchase option) to Anek Lines until October 31, 2021.
Then a monthly charter followed until last week, when the charter was transferred to Attica Group.
The ships’ branding has been removed, and a Superfast banner added.
Photo: Arxipelagos.com
Following some news reported by Italian financial media (MF-MilanoFinanza), Emanuele Grimaldi confirmed to Ferry Shipping News the interest in Attica, in case the Greek ferry company will be put up for sale by Marfin Investment Group.
“It’s a widely known fact that our group looks at consolidating as much as possible the roro and ropax market, also in Greece. Therefore I can say that obviously we have an interest for Attica Group or for some of the lines operated,” said the Naples-based shipowner.
Taking over only some routes and vessels controlled by Attica (as it has happened with Trasmediterranea’s lines with the Balearic Islands) might be the right way to overcome potential limits from the antitrust authorities.
Mr Grimaldi also confirmed the Minoan participated as leading company, but with other players, in the privatisation process of the ports of Heraklion and Igoumenitsa.
Three ferry operators —Attica Group, ANEK and Grimaldi— are expected to compete for the privatisation of the three ports: Igoumenitsa, Patras and Heraklion.
In brief:
Regarding the investors’ participating in the privatisation process for the three ports:
Source: Spyros Roussos and Kathimerini newspaper 25 August 2021
Attica Group announced the execution of a bond loan agreement with Alpha Bank of Greece and Norwegian Export Credit Insurance Organisation Eksportkreditt Norge AS, with the guarantee of the Norwegian Export Credit Guarantee Agency, for an amount of up to EUR 14.7 million.
The new bond loan will be issued by a 100% subsidiary and will finance up to 70% of the total construction and acquisition cost (pre-delivery & post-delivery finance) of three highspeed AERO Catamarans, according to the respective agreement with Brødrene Aa shipyard of Norway.
Of particular importance for the financing eligibility of the project were environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria, as the intended deployment of the state-of-the-art Aero Catamarans on the routes of the Saronic islands will contribute to the reduction of the carbon footprint, as well as to the social and economic development of the local insular communities.
Attica concluded an agreement with Piraeus Bank S.A. for the issuance of a five-year common bond loan of up to EUR 55mln for general business purposes, which will significantly expand the Group’s liquidity and will contribute to the acceleration of its investment planning and adaptation to a green and digital economy.
In the midst of adverse conditions caused by the pandemic, the above financing agreements represent a vote of confidence by Greek and international financial institutions to Attica Group’s sustainable investment and development prospects.
Attica concluded an agreement with Piraeus Bank S.A. for the issuance of a five-year common bond loan of up to EUR 55mln for general business purposes, which will significantly expand the Group’s liquidity and will contribute to the acceleration of its investment planning and adaptation to a green and digital economy.
In the midst of adverse conditions caused by the pandemic, the above financing agreements represent a vote of confidence by Greek and international financial institutions to Attica Group’s sustainable investment and development prospects.
On March 6, 2021 Attica Groups’ BLUE STAR MYCONOS started a new ferry service between Thessaloniki, the islands of the North Aegean (Limnos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Fournoi, Ikaria), the Cyclades (Mykonos, Syros) and Piraeus, following the signing of a public service contract.
That new ferry connection offers an alternative port call from Northern Greece. Ropax DIAGORAS is serving the Kavala-Lemnos-Lesvos-Chios-Samos-Ikaria line (Kavala is a port east of Thessaloniki).
Both handy size ferries are suitable for the ports of the line and offer a punctual service.
The 25-knot BLUE STAR MYCONOS can also serve the Cyclades because of her high speed.
The new ferry service fulfils a long-standing request both from passengers and transportation companies.
Attica Group ordered 3 Aero Catamaran passenger-only vessels to serve the Saronic islands.
Consolidated revenue
Traffic volumes
EBITDA
EBIT
Consolidated Profit after taxes
Outlook
For the forthcoming months of 2020, which constitute months of low traffic, the Group’s traffic volume will be further affected by the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the restrictive measures recently imposed by the Greek State on the movement of citizens will decrease the Group’s traffic volume compared to the corresponding period last year.
In this constantly changing economic environment, the initial estimates of Management, as presented in the Annual Financial Report for the year 2019, for an estimated revenue drop at a range from 30% to 40% compared to the fiscal year 2019 are in line with current trading figures.
Attica Group expressed serious interest in the port of Igoumenitsa, in the context of the forthcoming tender for the sale of 67% of the Igoumenitsa Port Authority S.A.
It is pointed out that Attica Group has a long-standing presence on the Adriatic Sea, especially in the Patras – Igoumenitsa – Bari and Ancona lines.
According to the information, Attica Group will declare itself “present” in the forthcoming tender, making its first step to expand the group’s activities in new business fields, such as logistics and tourism.
It is pointed out that the Italian group Grimaldi, Attica’s major rival in the Adriatic services, has also shown similar interest in the port of Igoumenitsa.
