The Greek coastal ferry company Minoan Lines will be handling Piraeus–Chaniaferry route over the summer months, Coastal Shipping Transport Council ruled on July 4, replacing Attica-ANEK consortium that has been serving the route over the years.
The itinerary will be run by Mykonos Palace ship. As it was initially announced, Minoan Lines will immediately run under the Greek flag-state, man the ship with Greek crews, and take the necessary steps for the transfer of the ship from its subsidiary, Minoan Italia Spa, to the parent company. Mykonos Palace is on Piraeus registrar.
The cruise line was until now operated by Attica-ANEK consortium with Blue Galaxy and Eleftherios Venizelos.
The date of the operations will be announced after Shipping Minister Panagiotis Kouroublis approves the decision.
Among the key arguments for the immediate launch of the ferry route by Minoan Lines was the need to meet transportation demand that was created by the exit of Ryanair from Chania and the growing tourist interest for the destination.
Minoan announced earlier this week that it would be offering senior citizens a 20% discount on domestic (Crete and Cyclades) and international (Adriatic) routes.