New Tender Launched for Kythira Ferry Connection

The Greek Shipping Ministry on Monday launched another tender to attract ferry operators interested in serving state-subsidized ferry routes connecting Kythira and Antikythira with Piraeus, Kissamos (Kastelli, Crete), Gythio and Kalamata.

The new tender follows a previous call of the shipping ministry after Lane Sea Lines’ ‘Vitsentzos Kornaros’ vessel remained docked due to mechanical failure. However, the previous tender remained fruitless.

The subsidized routes to be served are: Piraeus-Kythira-Antikythira-Kissamos and return (one route per week for the remaining season – subsidies: 38,000 euros); Piraeus-Kythira-Kissamos and return (one route per week for the remaining season – subsidies: 32,000 euros); Gythio-Kythira-Antikythira-Kissamos and return (one route per week for the remaining season – subsidies: 20,030 euros); and Kalamata-Kythira-Kissamos (one route per week until September 30 – subsidies: 16,066 euros); Gythio-Kythira-Antikythira-Kissamos and return (one route per week for the remaining season – subsidies: 20,030 euros); Gythio-Kythira-Kissamos and return (one route per week for the remaining season – subsidies: 9,427 euros); Kissamos-Kythira and return (one route per week until September 30 – subsidies: 4,781 euros); and Kalamata-Kythira-Kissamos and return (one route per week until September 30 – subsidies: 16,066 euros).

Interested ferry operators should express their interest by 15:00 on Friday, August 11. Necessary supporting documents must be submitted by Friday, August 18.

Among the tender’s minimum requirements is that the ship to be selected is able to accommodate at least 300 passengers in winter and 450 in the summer.