Greek coastal shipping looking to foreign markets‏

Gazzetta team 4 Αυγούστου 2015 - 14:15

The outlook of Greek coastal shipping sector is heavily dependent on the stabilization of the Greek economy but any unpredictable political developments in anticipation of a difficult winter period could lead to a new exit of vessels from the Aegean Sea towards foreign seas, George Xiradakis, chief executive of XRTC shipping finance company told ANA-MPA on Tuesday.

Xiradakis said that any restructuring of the coastal shipping network and drafting of a new map will be done by the companies themselves as the Merchant Shipping ministry cannot offer anything specific. He added that political developments, combined with the imposition of capital controls on banks, concern ahead of signing a new bailout agreement and worries of a possible new general elections in the country, are creating a climate of uncertainty and turn companies to foreign markets.

Xiradakis said that in 2013 coastal shipping companies operated 57 vessels, a figure around 40 pct lower compared with the levels in the early previous decade, signalling a decline in passenger traffic. XRTC said that Hellenic Seaways was the largest company in the sector, operating 20 ships in the Aegean and Adriatic Sea. Minoan Lines operates two ships in the Piraeus-Crete sea line and four ships in Adriatic. Attica Group operates 13 ships, of which four belong to Superfast and nine in Blue Star Ferries (the company sold Blue Star Ithaki in November 2014). ANEK operates three ships in Adriatic and Crete, two in the Peloponese-Crete and Cyclades lines and has another two ships in contract abroad.

NEL Lines operates 16 ships but is banned for operations because of financial problems.

Xiradakis said that coastal shipping companies were in constant search of new markets and alliances outside Greece, seeking to cover the needs of new markets such as in the Black Sea and the Carribean.