Tinos Waterway Gets Eco Thumbs Up, Works Kick Off

Tinos Island. Photo © Panagiotis Vlachopoulos

Tinos is the first of the Cyclades islands to get environmental approval for the construction of the first waterway there, Hellenic Seaplanes announced on Wednesday.

Eager to demonstrate its willingness for the multi-million waterway network to materialize, the Environment & Energy Ministry has given the Tinos project the go-ahead as part of its fast-track procedure. Indicatively, eight waterways have received environmental approval in the last three months.

“The creation of the waterway is a very important investment for our island as it will lead to a series of positive results, new jobs, contribute to linking Tinos with many new destinations and enhance the tourism product of the island,” Tinos Mayor Simos Orfanos said of the project.

The waterway is part of the network undertaken by Hellenic Seaplanes SA, which has received eco approval for waterways on Alonissos, Skopelos, Skyros, Volos and Patmos, expected to develop into the first sustainable network in the Aegean.

“It is indeed a matter of time before Greece becomes the Mecca of hydroplane transportation,” Hellenic Seaplanes president and CEO, Nicholas Charalambous, said.

“It is true that foreign investors are having reservations, in expectation of the new draft law on waterways and how it will shape the broader investment environment. But we have been reassured by the ministry that the new law will facilitate procedures and eliminate bureaucratic barriers thus fostering a friendly investment climate,” he added.