Changes in the coastal shipping map

By Anastasia Vamvaka

Although the strong wind has not yet blown on the coast, new business plans are starting to be implemented, with new ship launches but also waiting for new routes with Turkey and Cyprus.

The new acquisition of Sea Jet, the “Super Star”, the former Super Ferry II, started its itineraries, with afternoon itineraries from Rafina to Andros – Tinos – Mykonos – Paros. Waiting for the beginning of summer is the ship CAT I, former Alkyoni, which enters the lines of the Sporades. The shipowner George Gialozoglou bought the ship after its seizure by the bank and will operate the routes Agios Konstantinos – Sporades.

The launch of CAT I comes to upgrade the services offered in maritime transport, transporting passengers daily from Agios Konstantinos to Skiathos in 2 hours and 5 minutes, in Skopelos in 3 hours and 5 minutes and in Alonissos in 3 hours and 45 minutes, comfortable and pleasant “points out the management of the company.

At the same time, waiting for the middle of June is the launch of two passenger ferries that will connect Thessaloniki for the first time with the historic city of Izmir, but also after twenty-one years Limassol with Piraeus.

On the line, Thessaloniki – Smyrna will be launched the ship “Smyrna”, which belongs to the shipping company Levante Ferries of George Theodosius, which also owns the telephone service company 11880 and which is now in the shipyards.

Regarding the sea line, Limassol – Piraeus, the final decision of the Ministry of Shipping of Cyprus for the selection of the ship owner who will take over the subsidized line is pending. It is recalled that three shipping companies participated in the international tender. The sea passenger connection between Greece and Cyprus will be made with 22 routes without a stopover. According to the plan, the itineraries will start in April or May and will end in September or October. Tickets will range from 50 to 80 euros with return. Besides, the car will always be accompanied and its price will be at 150 euros with return, while on mopeds the return ticket at 100 euros.

ΑΝΕΚ

Turnover for the whole of 2021 moved upwards, as the gradual recovery of economic activity led to an improvement in the economic climate and to the recovery of the economy internationally. In the Greek economy, the better-than-expected course of tourism and the vertical increase in exports contributed significantly to GDP growth

The financial figures of ANEK Lines deteriorated, as after taxes and minority rights the losses increased to 41.7 million euros for 2021 from losses of 15.1 million euros last year, while the net result of the parent company was set at losses. € 42.9 million from losses of € 14.8 million in 2020.

The increase in losses, however, was against the course of revenues, which increased to + 21% and the 150 million euros at Group level and to 129.4 million euros at parent company level. The EBITDA (before taxes on financial statements and depreciation) results also improved, to € 7 million from € 6.8 million in 2020. For the parent company, on the other hand, EBITDA was set at € 4.1 million, reduced by EUR 0.7 million. In order to address the existing risks, the Group left open the possibility of adjustments of the pricing policy, in order to compensate the negative effect of the increased prices on fuels and raw materials.

In the passenger shipping industry, restrictions on passenger movement due to the implementation of emergency measures to address the spread of the pandemic continued in the first months of 2021 and were gradually lifted by mid-May, while the reduced pre-existing conditions remained in place. ship passengers. In 2021, a partial recovery of the transport project and the revenues was achieved in relation to 2020, where the negative effects of the pandemic were particularly intense, having brought about unprecedented losses in these quantities. However, the sharp rise in international oil prices has absorbed most of the benefits of rising traffic and revenue. The average purchase prices of the Group’s fuels in 2021 increased by approximately 45% compared to the previous year.
Financial and investment results

The net financial cost of the Group and the Company for 2021 amounted to € 10.0 million compared to € 8.9 million in the previous year, while the results from investment activities amounted to losses of € 25.7 million against losses of € 0 , 1 million in 2020. The high losses of the investment results of the year 2021 resulted mainly from the impairments of the value of the ships, as well as from the effect of the non-exercise of the right to purchase the ship and the re-recognition of the relevant lease agreement from the fixed assets and liabilities.

Net results

As a result of the above, the consolidated net results after taxes for 2021 amounted to losses of € 40.2 million against losses of € 14.1 million, while the net results after taxes and minority interests amounted to losses of € 41.7 million. million against losses of € 15.1 million Respectively, the net results after taxes of the Parent for 2021 amounted to losses of € 43.9 million against losses of € 14.8 million.

In the first quarter of 2022, the passenger traffic and the transport work of the Group fluctuated at quite satisfactory levels, a fact that confirms the estimate for the return of the relevant figures to the pre-pandemic data. However, international oil prices in 2022 gradually reached unprecedented high levels influenced by current geopolitical developments and the energy crisis. In conclusion, at the economic level, geopolitical uncertainty, the energy crisis, price increases and the development of possible new variants of the COVID-19 pandemic perpetuate a climate of concern.