Ferry

Attica Group CEO Spyros Paschalis submitted his resignation, the company announced on Thursday, a few hours after the death of a 36-year-old man who was trying to board a passenger ferry operated by the company.

Witnesses have described to Kathimerini the events that took place at the port of Piraeus on Tuesday night, when 36-year-old man Antonis Karyotis, in his effort to board a ferry, the "Blue Horizon," drowned after he was pushed by a crew staff into the sea.

In 2022 alone, 18 million people traveled by ship to and from Greece's 227 inhabited islands. Of these islands, 89 do not have an airport and are served exclusively by passenger ferries, which offer a crucial link with the mainland. These ships play an important role in island life - we still remember how empty our seas seemed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ships departing from the ports of Attica for the Greek islands on Monday and Tuesday were almost fully booked as people continued to quit the capital for the August 15 holiday, particularly for destinations in the Cyclades.

Ferry fares are largely unchanged this year in Greece compared to 2022, after the big rise last summer due to the jump in the cost of energy and fuel internationally.

Prices for economy-class tickets in August range from 40 to 90 euros, depending on the destination, the distance and the type of ship.

Piraeus Port Authority Chairman Zenggang Yu described last year as one of the most successful in the history of the port of Piraeus, speaking at the 8th Delphi Economic Forum on Friday.

The annual Easter exodos of Athenians from the capital picked up pace at Attica's ports, motorways and airports on Good Friday.

A total of 14 ferries are scheduled to depart for the Aegean islands and 31 for the Saronic islands. Another 12 ferries will depart from Rafina and 9 from Lavrio ports.

Tourism traffic this Easter is expected to break the record for the holidays, even surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Occupancy at hotels that will be open from Holy Week is already moving above 90% and in some cases even close to 100%, depending on the destination.

Two ferries were tied up at the port of Kyllini, western Peloponnese, on Saturday, after one of them came into contact with the other while docking, local port authorities said. No injuries were reported. 

Ferries scheduled to depart from Piraeus port this morning will be delayed due to strong winds. 

Passengers who are planning to travel are advised to contact the local port authorities or the shipping companies for further information.