Greek ferry giant Attica Group is selling two large ropaxes it inherited as part of its takeover of Cretan ferry operator Anek Lines two years ago.
The 27,200-gt sister ships Kriti I and Kriti II (both built 1979) have been linked by recycling sector sources to negotiations with undisclosed recycling interests . They are being sold on an as-is, where -is basis.
Both ships are amongst the longest serving Greek ferries, having been acquired by Anek from Japan’s Shin Nihonkai Ferry in 1996.
After extensive rebuilding, both ships were initially deployed on Adriatic services linking Greece with Italy, and in their later years were used on domestic runs between Piraeus and Heraklion on the island of Crete, along with occasional charters to foreign ferry operators.
The ships proved extremely popular with their passengers, while their ability to carry 1,400 passengers, and vast amounts of cars, trucks and trailers on their copious vehicle decks, made them very profitable ships for Anek.
After than three decades of hard use, the Kriti I was withdrawn from service in early 2022 ahead of a special survey that would have proven extremely costly for the then cash-strapped Anek. The ship was laid up at the Drapetsona Mole in Piraeus to serve as a spare parts donor for its sister ship Kriti II.
Kriti II soldiered on for a couple more years, but its age began taking a toll. The ship was frequently plagued with engine problems and breakdowns.
In early 2024, shortly after Anek’s takeover by Attica had been finalized, the decision was taken to permanently withdraw the Kriti II from service.
Both ships were towed to the Elefsis Bay, where they remain moored alongside a raft of other laid up Greek-owned ships awaiting their fate, which will most likely be at ship recycling facilities in Turkey.
Greek ferry operators and maritime authorities have been under pressure from the government to upgrade the domestic ferry fleet and reduce its age profile.
Attica announced in July last year that it had entered into a leasing deal with Stena RoRo involving two of the Swedish tonnage provider’s 240-metre E-Flexer ropax newbuildings.
To be purpose-built for Attica’s Adriatic Superfast Ferries operation by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Weihai, and fitted with the flexibility of using different fuels, battery hybrid operation and many other fuel-saving features, the company said the pair will set new standards for the entire Greek ferry industry.
Attica did not not respond to emailed requests for comment about the Kriti I and Kriti II.
