On May 31, 2023, Saos Ferries’ HSC NISSOS (ex ALCANTARA DOS) arrived under tow (tug BAS VIKING) in Greece, after a 12-day voyage.
The ship was purchased from the Spanish Acciona Logistica S.A. on April 17 and left the port of Almeria on May 19.
She will undergo necessary repairs and refit and she will be probably introduced -next year- on the Sporades Islands or Dodecanese run.
Photo: Blue Star Ferries
On April 3, 2023, Seajets’ new acquisition SUPERRUNNER JET 2 (former GOTLANDIA) left the port of Visby for Greece. The ship passed the Kiel Canal and made a stop in Cherbourg. She is expected to arrive in Greece around April 13th.
She was delivered to Seajets on March 8 and will probably enter service in 2024.
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.
The deputy ministry of shipping announced on Monday that it had completed the evaluation of tenders for a ferry link between Cyprus and Greece, writes Cyprus Mail.
The winning company behind the successful bid has already been chosen, although not yet announced publicly.
A press conference where the successful bid will be announced is set to take place next week. During the conference, routes will also be unveiled as well as details concerning the fleet of ferries.
On March 15, 2022 ,Golden Star Ferries’ ANDROS QUEEN (former SILVER QUEEN) left the port of Muroran for Greece. She was purchased from Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen (Silver Ferry) on February 9, 2022 for EUR 7.354 million and delivered to a Greek crew on March 9, 2022.
The ship is currently sailing for the port of Busan and expected to arrive in Greece in early April
On March 15, 2022, SEEN (Association of Passenger Shipping Companies) met with the Hellenic Minister of Shipping and Island Policy and informed him about the forthcoming serious impact of the energy crisis that has already affected the Hellenic Coastal Shipping, threatening tourism as well as the islanders’ cost of living.
More specifically, SEEN urged for support measures by the government for the summer season, otherwise, there will be an increase in ferry ticket prices up to 25% (for passengers and vehicles).
At the same time, they are examining solutions such as speed reduction, unified sailings as well as reduction of the sailings’ frequency (ANEK-Blue Star Ferries announced recently such a reduction on the Piraeus – Chania line for the next four Saturdays, 19 March – 9 April 2022).
Furthermore, SEEN underlined that the additional operating costs due to expensive fuels exceed EUR 280 million on an annual basis, while they made seven proposals to the Minister in order to deal with the current situation.
Source: newmoney.gr
On the occasion of the 26th United Nations Conference in Glasgow, the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave an interview to SkyNews. The interview focused on energy and maritime policy, among others. The basic parts of that interview are:
Question: Greece owns about one-fifth of the world’s fleet. Shipping is one of the activities that is most responsible for emissions right now. How can this be stopped?
Pr. Minister: Let’s put things in perspective. 90% of world trade is done by ship. Shipping is responsible for 3% of world emissions. It’s not trivial, but it’s not huge. Shipping should take its share. But it is not clear what technology will solve the problem. That’s why we need more research and development (R&D). We need to focus more on the solutions that are currently being developed.
Question: Are we talking about nuclear-powered ships or hydrogen-powered ships?
Pr. Minister: No, hydrogen is probably the most likely scenario. But we are the managers and we have to work with the shipyards, we have to work with the manufacturers of large machinery types. They are the ones who will guide the technological innovations. Shipping will be the customer of the technology, they will produce. But at the same time, we need to have a vision for the future of shipping. That is why we are setting up, in cooperation with the European Union, a research institute to explore the future of sustainable shipping. Because honestly now we do not have the answer.
Finally, referring to the prospects of energy transition of the Hellenic Coastal Fleet, the Greek Prime Minister stressed the following: “…when we talk, for example, about shipping and short-haul ships, one could imagine that these ships could be electric in the future.”
Source: Athens News Agency – Photo: Elektra
Unvaccinated people in Greece from next week will need a negative Covid-19 rapid antigen test result in order to travel between regions.
The rule, which will be in force until March 31, 2022, is among the series of measures announced by the Greek government to stop the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) and to protect the public health system.
On 14 May 2021, the Greek Minister of Shipping and Island Policy announced the revised health protocols concerning the transports by ferry in view of the summer season 2021. More specific:
Furthermore, passengers that wishing to travel by ferry should have:
