Attica Enterprises Opens Germany-Sweden Route With Yet Another New Super-fast Ferry

Superfast IX, for the moment the newest vessel in the Attica Enterprises’ fleet, last month began service on the new Germany-Sweden route between the port of Sodertalje, in the greater Stockholm area and the port of Rostock, Germany. The new service represents the second stage of the company’s expansion into the Baltic Sea.

Attica expanded into the Baltic Sea last year when subsidiary Superfast Ferries launched a route connecting Rostock with the Finnish port of Hanko on May 17. Superfast VII and Superfast VIII ply the aforementioned the route. Unlike the majority of Greek ferry operators, Attica has in the last two years preferred to expand outside of the domestic market and the traditional Greece-Italy route, expanding first into the Baltic Sea and subsequently into the Scottish market.

It launched a 45-million-euro, three-year convertible bond in October last year. Funds raised are be used principally for its expansion. “Our company is the first ferry operator within the borders of the European Union to cross its territorial boundaries and set foot in another sea, demonstrating, and occasionally testing, the real integration of our Europe,” said Superfast Ferries Managing Director Alexander Panagopoulos on launching the new route.

Olympic silver medallist swimmer and world record holder in the 50 meter and 100 meter freestyle Therese Ashammar christened the ship Superfast IX before it set off on its maiden voyage.

A second ship will be deployed on the same service this month. The vessels can each carry 626 passengers, 110 trucks and 115 cars. With a maximum speed exceeding 30 knots, the ships can cover the distance between Rostock and Sodertalje in a record 18 hours.

Equipped with the latest navigation and communication technology, the two Finnish ice-class 1A Super new cruise-class ferries of Attica Enterprises will offer 5-star comfort to their passengers and amenities to include a la carte and smorgasbord-buffet Restaurants, Bars, a panoramic live music Dancing Lounge, Casino, Video Games Room, Card Room, Shops and Boutiques, Conference Rooms and Business Center, Children’s Playroom, Satellite Television and Internet facilities.

Attica said it would deploy two Superfast vessels in May for the new route connecting the Scottish port of Rosyth with Zeebrugge in Belgium. It said the daily crossings would take just 17.5 hours.