Sea Tourism

The Union of Coastal Shipowners late last month presented the government with a series of demands they feel must be confronted and solved in order for them to invest in new passenger ships.

Louis Cruise Lines announced the purchase of the cruise ship “Seawing” from My Travel Group plc, in response to the surge in demand for cruises from Piraeus.

The Board of Attica Holdings S.A. last month announced the delivery of 7,395 GRT, ice-class 1A, Ro-Ro ferry m/v Nordia, capable of carrying approximately 90 unaccompanied freight units.

Cyprus-based Louis Cruise Lines announced last month that it would have a new company set up and running cruises out of Piraeus by March of next year. The first ships, Calypso and Ithaki, will execute three- four- and seven-day cruises out of Piraeus.

By year-end, Minoan Lines expects to post triple the amount of its last year’s net profit of 3.5 million euros. Highly placed company executives say that their forecast takes into account all of the negative factors of the economy that could affect coastal shipping.

Hellas Flying Dolphins says it will start off the new year with two new catamarans to be named Flyingcat 5 and Flyingcat 6. The new vessels are scheduled to ply the North Sporades linking the islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos with the ports at Volos and Aghios Konstantinos.

Ioannis Tzoannos, general secretary for the ministry of merchant marine, told guests during an Athens Business Club 2004 seminar on nautical tourism that he would like to see a close cooperation with the new tourism ministry. In particular he said he would like the simplification and quick implementation of rules for investment and he would like to see a registry for yachts set up. “A registry with simple rules and tax benefits.”

After several years in the doldrums, Hellas Flying Dolphins seems to have pricked the interest of Greece’s major coastal shipping companies. Last month, under its new managing director, Gerasimos Stintzis, HFD announced an agreement whereby it would purchase two new vessels. And press reports abound that the chairman of Attica Enterprises, Pericles Panagopoulos, wants to purchase at least 10% of the Dolphins in an effort to play a pivoting role in major decisions about to be taken by the ferry company.

After years of economic problems, it appears that the ferry operator for the Dodekanissos islands, Dane Sea Lines, is about sink into the realm of memory. Citizens of the island, however, continue to fight for some assistance that would allow the company to continue running. In the meantime, they blame the ferry line’s major shareholder, Anek Lines of Crete for its demise.

Greek coastal shipowners have taken the bull by the horns and come hell or high water will attempt this year to settle the waters after almost three years of rough seas. For example, last month the Greek Coastal Shipowners Association issued an open threat to the Merchant Marine Ministry. The association said it would take strong collective action if there were any penal or administrative proceedings against any of its members because of increased fares. In its open letter, the association reminded that “after the end of regulation on January 1, the system for free provision of services and competition applies, always within the framework of national and Community legislation.”