Ferrιes: Same routes, higher fares

The summer season for Greek coastal shipping begins with small problems in some Cycladic islands such as Folegandros, but under the weight of increased fuel costs.

According to data gathered by “TA NEA” newspaper, the routes from Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio to the Aegean islands will be the same as last year with minimal changes, mainly in terms of some high speed ships.

Costs

In any case, what seems to be changing significantly this year is the cost of fuel as the price of reduced sulfur fuel is still above 1,000 euros per ton when in the same period last year it was around 400 euros per ton.

Fuel costs, which in normal periods accounted for 30-35% of the operating costs of ships, because of price increases from the fourth quarter of 2021 and throughout 2022, have now reached 60-70% of the operating costs of ships.

Companies are looking to tackle the situation with ticket price increases to some degree. Of course, the increases in tickets are also expected to affect the ferry traffic, which is expected to move from 10% -20% lower compared to 2019.

Reservations

Already in the first four months of 2022 coastal passenger transport was reduced by about 20% compared to the corresponding period of 2019, while bookings for the third quarter of the year are even lower than those of 2019.

Groups of foreign tourists have almost disappeared as a result of two years of coronavirus while important markets, such as the Chinese, remain closed. In terms of cargo transportation it is moving at about the same levels as in 2019.

Regarding the minor problems in the service of the islands, it seems that at this time the problem is located in Folegandros, with representatives of the local government and tourism noting that the choice of a company to interrupt the direct route of its high speed boat with Piraeus and its decision to serve the island through Milos (transfer) creates problems in tourist demand.