Ports in Greece saw a 2.5 percent decrease in total passenger traffic during the first quarter of 2019, compared to the same period last year, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
The Greek Shipping Ministry is looking into ways to boost funding for remote island ferry services and ship lease, following problems on the Samothrace – Alexandroupolis route.
Prompted by the recent Samothrace port issue, shipping professionals and marine tourism bodies are calling for the immediate upgrade of 92 ports across Greece.
Greek ferry operator Seajets has announced that its Andros Jet catamaran will continue to serve the Samothrace-Alexandroupolis route until further notice.
Greece’s coastal shipping fleet is getting older with the average age of its vessels at 26 years, requiring investments for renewal, according to an XRTC report.
The Greek port of Lavrio and the Turkish town of Cesme now have their own ferry service that runs three times a week by Turkey-based shipping company Aegean Seaways.
