Sea Tourism

Minoan Flying Dolphins, which claims to be the biggest coastal shipping company in the world with revenue of 43 billion drachmas and a fleet of 77 vessels, increases it route frequencies. In particular, travellers heading to the Cyclades in the height of summer should find it easier to secure a seat on a Highspeed catamaran this year.

Festival Cruises and P&O Cruises announced last month that they would join forces in order to expand in the global cruise business. Festival, one of the Europe’s leading cruise lines, becomes a world cruise company once forces and joined with P&O, Princes and Germany’s Aida Cruises. All of Festival’s cruise businesses will be included in the merger.

At its recent general assembly, Greek ferry line Strintzis received approval to increase its capital by almost 28 billion drachmas through the issuance of new shares. The funds will be used in part to pay for the company’s new investment program that is expected to surpass 100 billion drachmas.

Nel Lines now sails a rocket-fast vessel that cuts sailing times to Chios and Mytilini from Piraeus by two-thirds. The new Aeolos Express shoots across the Aegean at speeds up to 66 kilometers per hour. It can carry 1,000 passengers and 210 vehicles. The Aeolos can reach Chios from Piraeus in a mere 2.5 hours instead of the traditional nine hours. It runs from Piraeus to Mytilini in 3.5 hours, compared with 10.5 hours taken by the conventional ferries that have run the route up until now.

Crete-based ferry operator Minoan Lines announced a substantial increase in pre-tax profits for 1999. Minoan said last year’s revenue was up 7.1% against the year before and profits before taxes were up 65.5%.

A total of up to 500 people a day can visit Sarande from Corfu and vice-versa thanks to three small ferries which carry out three sailings daily. The sailings were resumed after disturbances a few years back and now there is an upward trend regarding passenger travel.

Dodecanese Maritime, a new provincial company, launched a newly-built catamaran named the Dodecanese Express last month at Greece’s main port, Piraeus. The vessel then made its way to Rodos, where it will be based. The vessel, which is 40.5 meters long and 11.46 meters wide, will provide a local service in the Dodecanese. It can carry 341 passengers and six passenger vehicles.

Within the next two years, the Greek coastal shipping sector will accept delivery of some 50 new ferry vessels. With these new fast ships, the time it will take to sail from Piraeus and Rafina to the Greek islands, and Italy, will be substantially reduced.

“Sales commission for travel agents has been reduced; there are fewer discounts available; special group rates have been abolished; and prices have risen more than 20% on some routes.”

One of the many aims of the Louis Group of Cyprus is to fly the Greek flag on its cruise vessels. “It’s a shame Greek ships do not fly Greek flags,” said the Louis Group’s chairman, Costas Loizou, at a recent Athens press conference, “as this is in Greece’s interest and in the interest of the company.”