Coastal Shippers Order 50 New Vessels

Within the next two years, the Greek coastal shipping sector will accept delivery of some 50 new ferry vessels. With these new fast ships, the time it will take to sail from Piraeus and Rafina to the Greek islands, and Italy, will be substantially reduced.

By June, ferry lines Minoan, Minoan Flying Dolphins, Strintzis (soon to be renamed Blue Star Ferries), Anek, Superfast and Nel will begin to place new vessels on their routes.

This summer, Superfast places two new vessels on its Greece-Italy route and Nel has just placed its first new fast-ferry vessel, Aiolos, on the Piraeus-Cyclades-Chios-Mytilini route.

Last month, Minoan Flying Dolphins placed new hydrofoil units on its Piraeus-West Cyclades routes and Strintzis will place its new “Blue Star Ithaki” on its Rafina-Cyclades routes.

The Lesvos Maritime Company (NEL), welcomed its new high-speed Corsaire 12000, christened Eolis Express, to the port of Piraeus last month. The HSC Deep V monohull vessel will serve the Cyclades. The Eolis Express, 119 meters long and 15.7 meters wide, can reach speeds of 36 miles per hour and carries up to 1,000 passengers and 210 cars. Another two similar vessels have been commissioned by the firm and are due to be delivered in May and June of next year. They will operate in the Cyclades and service the Piraeus-Chios-Lesvos-northern Greece and Volos-Sporades-Lesvos routes.