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Tag: Attica Group | Page 2 | Ferry Shipping News

Sep 29
0

Attica Group H1 sees gradual normalization of Group’s financial results to pre-Covid 19 levels

By | 2022 Newsletter week 39 | No Comments

Consolidated (in EUR)

  • Revenue 201.45m (122.19m in H1, 2021) Following the lifting of the state imposed reduced capacity protocol for transporting passengers by vessels since March 2022, Group revenue increased by 65% as compared to the 1st half of 2021, indicating the gradual normalization of the Group’s operations to pre Covid 19 levels.
  • Losses before taxes, investing and financial results, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of 9.61m (4.38m).
  • Losses after taxes 30.54m (consolidated losses after taxes of 34.05m in H1, 2021)
  • The increase in traffic volumes, and therefore in the Group revenue, was offset by the prolonged increased price of fuel (the average price of fuel oil consumed in H1, 2022 increased by 99% compared to H1, 2021), resulting in the increase of the Group’s operating costs.
  • Fuel price hedging transactions, conducted for part of the fuel consumption of the Group’s vessels pursuant to the Group’s hedging policy, contributed by 12.8m to the reduction of the Group consolidated losses compared to H1, 2021.
  • Group’s cash and cash equivalents stood at 67.88m (97.36m on 31.12.2021).
  • The total debt of the Group amounted to 467.42m (481.59m on 31.12.2021).

Traffic volumes (compared to H1, 2021)

+108% passengers

+56% private vehicles

+16% freight units

+54% number of sailings

Agreement with creditors and shareholders of ANEK

On 21.9.2022, the Company announced that an agreement was reached with the largest creditors of ANEK S.A., as well as with ANEK shareholders representing 57.70% of the total share capital of ANEK.

The agreement provides for:

  1. a) the merger by absorption of ANEK by the Company at an exchange ratio of 1 common or preference share of ANEK to 0.1217 new common registered shares of ATTICA and
  2. b) the payment by the post-merger entity of the amount of EUR 80,000,000 in full and complete repayment of ANEK’s loan obligations to the above creditors (outstanding capital in an amount of EUR 236,419,251.23 plus total outstanding interest accrued on the date of completion of the intended transaction).

The agreement was executed on 23.9.2022.

Sep 29
0

Attica Group: a new giant with 45 ferries

By | 2022 Newsletter week 39 | No Comments

The merger of ANEK with Attica Group will lead to the formation of a new shipping giant in Greece. It will operate 45 ferries on all the main Greece and Italy lines.

With the specific agreement a significant write-off of the ANEK’s’ debts by EUR 156,4 million was decided. Attica Group will only pay EUR 80 million from the total of EUR 236,4 million.

After the completion of the agreement, which is expected by March 2023, Attica group will control four companies in Greece: Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways and ANEK Lines.

Attica Group also operates in the Western Mediterranean with a 49% stake in Africa Morocco Line.

Sep 22
0

Attica Group: Announced the merger with ANEK Lines to the Athens Stock Market

By | 2022 Newsletter week 38 | No Comments

According to an official Attica Group press release (in Greek) the deal contains:

  • The merger with the absorption of ANEK Lines by Attica Group with an exchange of one common or preferred share of ANEK for 0,1217 new common registered shares of Attica Group and
  • the payment of EUR 80 million for full and complete repayment of ANEK Line’s loan to its creditors from the consolidated scheme which will be formed on the date of the completion of the merger.

The agreement was sent on Tuesday 20 September 2022 by the legal advisors to be signed by the representatives of the contracting parties.

The Boards of Directors of both companies will be convened in accordance with the law and decide on the initiation and individual parameters of the merger process.

Attica Group points out at its press release that:  “We estimate that the specific agreement will benefit the shareholders, the employees and the suppliers of both companies as well as the Hellenic Coastal Shipping.”

Sep 15
0

Attica Group: EUR 120 million for green investments

By | 2022 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

According to the Greek press, the management of the Attica Group submitted its EUR 120 million investment plan to the Recovery Fund for the energy upgrading of its existing ships, as well as the gradual replacement of its oldest vessels within a decade.

Attica Group has already completed a EUR 21 million investment for the construction of its three modern Aero Catamarans (AERO 1, 2 and 3), which were introduced last August in the Saronic Gulf service and officially presented to the press on September 8, 2022.

As far as the passenger traffic performance of the Group is concerned, the first eight months of 2022 (January-August) the traffic was reduced by 15% compared to 2019, while the traffic in August 2022, was reduced by 6% compared to August 2019.

Feb 17
8

Attica Group’s newbuilding catamaran AERO 1 launched in Norway

By | 2022 Newsletter week 7 | No Comments

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

Feb 17
6

ASTERION II chartered by Attica Group for Superfast Ferries

By | 2022 Newsletter week 7 | No Comments

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

Sep 16
4

Mr Grimaldi Confirms Interest in Attica if Put Up for Sale

By | 2021 Newsletter week 37 | No Comments

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.

Aug 26
4

Intense Competition for the Privatisation of Three Greek Regional Ports

By | 2021 Newsletter week 34 | No Comments

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:

  • Grimaldi Group controls Minoan Lines and seek to acquire a port in order to form a bridge between the Adriatic Sea services and Crete.
  • The Port Authority of Thessaloniki (PAT/Ivan Savvidis’ Group) is strongly interested in the port of Igoumenitsa, as it considers it of great importance for its strategic expansion and development.
  • Greek Ferry Operators seek to control either the port of Igoumenitsa or Patras in order to exert pressure on Grimaldi in Heraklion.
  • Grimaldi is interested in both ports (Heraklion, Igoumenitsa) and possibly will be interested in Patras as well. However, there will be a competition issue if they eventually control the port of Igoumenitsa.

Regarding the investors’ participating in the privatisation process for the three ports:

  • For the 67% of the Igoumenitsa Port Authority qualified Attica Group, Portek International, Quintana, Aegean Oil, Archirodon joint venture with ANEK and Trident Hellas, Grimaldi Euromed consortium with Minoan Lines and the Port Authority of Thessaloniki.
  • For the 67% of the Port of Heraklion, the deadline for the investors’ interest expires on September 17, 2021. Active interest has already expressed by Greek cruise companies, the Greek Group AVIAREPS (G. Grylos), Grimaldi Group, Attica Group, GEK TERNA and the Port Authority of Thessaloniki.
  • The tender process for the port of Patras has not started yet.

Source: Spyros Roussos and Kathimerini newspaper 25 August 2021

Mar 25
13

Attica Holdings: Financing Agreement For The Construction Of Three Catamaran Vessels

By | 2021 Newsletter week 12 | No Comments

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.

Mar 25
11

Attica Holdings: Issuance Of A Long-Term Bond Loan Up To EUR 55mln

By | 2021 Newsletter week 12 | No Comments

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.