Blue Star Ferries Says Destination -You!

Blue Star Ferries recently announced its position and action on corporate social responsibility in 2006 and 2007. In a pamphlet recently circulated, Blue Star Ferries outlines its decision to embed corporate social responsibility, “Destination-You!” in the heart of its strategy along with its aim to satisfy passengers, employees and investors of the company equally.

Managing director of Blue Star Ferries, Michael Sakelis, outlines in his editorial the reasoning behind this aim. He explains: “Everyone who is actively involved in shipping has a social responsibility which is part and parcel with every action.”

Blue Star Ferries incorporates social responsibility through the sponsorship and support of people-centered activities and has responded to calls around the Greek perimeters for cultural, sport and educational events.

Some of these events include 50% bursaries on tickets to destinations that held local festivals, such as the Tinos Festival and the religious music festival of Patmos. The company also sponsored several sports teams such as the Rodos basketball team Colossus and events such as the volleyball tournament Vicelas Cup in Ermoupolis, Syros.

Blue Star Ferries also supported several organizations away from the lights of publicity, such as the Red Cross and Doctors of the World. As well the company stood by islanders in remote parts of Greece and bridged the gaps that arose through emergency routes in addition to planned routes.

Furthermore, Blue Star continues its aim to protect the environment both through technologically advanced vessels that reduce the amount of toxins emitted but also through the sponsorship of organizations such as Save Our Seas and through initiatives such as the production of 60,000 ashtrays for the beach that were distributed in Traveller’s Icons magazine this summer.

Concerning the company services, Mr. Sakelis explains that although high-speed vessels provide a significant service during the summer months, it is conventional ships that offer an all-year-round service and the sum total of commercial traffic. It is with reference to this that Mr. Sakelis claims that the immediate coverage of emergency routes and the constant upgrade of services provided are “the basic principles and prerequisites on which our company bases the program and function of its ships.”

Since 2000 Blue Star Ferries has acquired and routed five brand new vessels; Blue Star 1, Blue Star 2, Blue Star Ithaki, Blue Star Paros and Blue Star Naxos.