Dodekanisos Seaways Aims to Add More North Aegean Islands to Ferry Schedule

Photo source: Dodekanisos Seaways

Greek ferry operator Dodekanisos Seaways is looking to include the Greek islands of Chios, Lesvos and Lemnos in its ferry schedule this year, according to an announcement by the Region of North Aegean.

The announcement follows the regional authority’s recent request to shipping and airline companies to include some islands of the North Aegean in their itineraries and routes to Alexandroupolis in order to boost tourist arrivals.

Dodekanisos Seaways was the first company to respond to the request and its president, Christos Spanos, presented plans to the region’s governor, Konstantinos Moutzouris, during a recent meeting.

According to the plan, the ferry operator is looking to include Chios, Lesvos, Lemnos and Samothrace as intermediate ports in its existing line that connects the islands of Rhodes, Samos and Ikaria with Alexandroupolis.

The plan of Dodekanisos Seaways to include Chios, Lesvos, Limnos and Samothrace in its Alexandroupolis route. Source: Region of North Aegean

“This is a first-class opportunity to connect the North Aegean with the Balkans with all that this could mean for our tourism, when we are talking about a market of 50 million inhabitants,” Governor Moutzouris said.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Moutzouris contacted the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Yiannis Pappas, regarding the possibility of Dodekanisos Seaways’ plan starting this year. According to the regional authority, the plan will be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the involved bodies in the near future.

Dodekanisos Seaways President Christos Spanos (third from left) with North Aegean Regional Governor Konstantinos Moutzouris (fourth from left) with representatives of the company and the regional authority. Photo source: Region of North Aegean

“The Region’s request and the prospect of connecting the Dodecanese with the North Aegean and Alexandroupolis is in the right direction,” Dodekanisos Seaways President Christos Spanos said, adding that the company is very interested in the collaboration.

“Our company already connects the Dodecanese with Samos and Ikaria and we want this to be extended to Thrace,” he added.