Norwegian Manufacturers Maintain Edge
The cliche “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” certainly applies to the past, current and future role of the Norwegian maritime cluster in the grand scheme of the international ship and boat building communities. Few countries, if any, can boast the maritime history of Norway, a history that entails many colorful tales surpassed only by the number and magnitude of marine innovations, which have emerged from a country with a population (approx. five million), which is smaller than many large cities. And while corporate consolidations around the globe continue to morph the marine market — including many notable Norwegian companies such as Ulstein…
Greek Ferries: The New Business Model
The ultra competitive Greek ferry market has not only proven to be a fertile breeding ground for advanced marine technology, it has served as a role model for the direction of shipping services in both the region and the world. The Greek market has provided the collective builders and suppliers of advanced fast and conventional ferries a rich environment for business over the past few months, a trend that seems likely to continue. Specifically, Greek owners and operators have been at the forefront of an international buying binge for large, fast passenger, vehicle and cargo carrying craft. Driven by the need for speed, many owners are turning to advances in marine electronic and propulsion systems to ensure that the multi-million dollar investments are kept running safe and efficient.
Greek Authorities Issue 32 New Operating Licenses
Greek Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis has signed 32 new operating licenses to passenger shipping firms in a bid to improve competition in the industry. "Until deregulation of sea travel in 2002, new applications submitted for licences will be examined immediately," the ministry said. "The criteria the applications will be examined upon will the public's interest, unimpeeded access to the islands and healthy competition." Greece has said it will liberalize island shipping by 2002, two years ahead of schedule, as a result of a recent ferry sinking that killed about 80 people. Company No. Licenses Strintzis Lines 4 Anek Lines 3 Lesvos Maritime 3 Attica Enterprises 2 Minoan Lines 2 Minoan Flying Dolphins 1 Other companies 17
Attica Completes Purchase Of Strintzis
Ferry operator Attica Enterprises has completed its purchase of shares in Strintzis Lines, after a block of 14,431,090 shares were transferred on the Athens bourse at a price of 2,900 drachmas ($9) per share. The total value of the transaction reached 41.8 billion drachmas ($130 million). Following the transaction, ferry operator Attica Enterprises has a 40.22 percent controlling interest in Strintzis Lines. The two companies have a fleet of 16 ships, of which four are Superfast ferries. By the end of 2001, their combined fleet will total 28 ships, with 12 large car and passenger ferries currently under construction.
Attica Maintains Leading Share In Adriatic
Ferry operator Attica Enterprises is maintaining its leading market share in the passenger and truck traffic in the sea routes from all ports of Greece to Italy. Attica, with its fleet of Superfast ferries, had respective market shares of 23.4 and 27.1 percent in passengers and trucks carried to Italian ports from Greece in the first nine months of the year. In the same period in 1998, the ferry operator's market shares in the Adriatic Sea were 21.4 percent for passengers and 24.1 percent for trucks, it said. Attica Enterprises carried a total of 437,000 passengers and 77,900 trucks and 87,000 cars between January and September with respective growth rates of 12.4, 28.5 and 14.8 percent.
