![Mytilene: Direct ferry connection with Izmir](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IHSAN_ALYANAK.jpg)
Lesvos is the first Aegean island to be connected to Smyrna by direct ferry service. The first route will take place on Friday, June 17 to the port of Mytilene and according to the plan there will be two routes per week.
Specifically, the ferry connection will take place every Friday and every Sunday with a 400-seat catamaran of the shipping company Izdeniz interests of the metropolitan municipality of Izmir.
The duration of the voyage will be about two hours and 15 minutes and yesterday, Monday, May 30, the ship “Ihsan Alyanak” made a test voyage to Mytilene, where it was inspected by the local port authorities.
It is noted that the Municipality of Mytilene is making an effort to expand the route from Izmir to Plomari, where a new entrance gate to Lesvos is expected to operate in the immediate future.
In fact, for this purpose, last week, the mayor of Mytilene, Stratis Kytelis, paid a visit to Smyrna with members of the municipal authority where they met with the mayor of the Turkish city, Tunc Soyer.
![](http://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/izmmir-midilli-600x300.jpg)
The mayor of Mytilene Stratis Kytelis with the mayor of Smyrna Tunc Soyer
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Giannis Antetokounmpo Invests in AI Video Production Platform](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/giannis-antetokounmpo-600x337.jpg)
Giannis Antetokounmpo Invests in AI Video Production Platform
The platform, founded in 2021 by Victorien Tixier and Xavier Green, automatically tags and organizes content, allowing teams to speed up distribution to broadcasters, sponsors, and even the athletes themselves
![Greece’s Industrial Production Rises 5.8% in December](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Industrial-production.jpg)
Greece’s Industrial Production Rises 5.8% in December
For the entire year, the average General Index of Industrial Production increased by 5.2% in comparison to the corresponding period in 2023.
![Study Shows Athens Traffic Congestion Up](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/traffic-332857_1280-600x400.jpg)
Study Shows Athens Traffic Congestion Up
On average, car drivers and their passengers who venture out onto Greater Athens’ roads will spend roughly half an hour in the vehicle to cover a distance of 10 kilometers
![Judge Blocks Elon Musk’s Team from Accessing Treasury Payment System](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-07T223323Z_1406125441_RC24JBAKMTGM_RTRMADP_5_ELON-MUSK-JP-MORGAN-600x389.jpg)
Judge Blocks Elon Musk’s Team from Accessing Treasury Payment System
Judge blocks Elon Musk’s team from Treasury access over security risks and potential misuse of federal payment data.
![Make Europe Great Again in Madrid](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-08T125319Z_1806997237_RC2CQCA44ZAR_RTRMADP_5_SPAIN-POLITICS-FAR-RIGHT-scaled-1-600x400.jpg)
Make Europe Great Again in Madrid
Far-right leaders rally in Madrid to 'Make Europe Great Again
![Seismologists Cautiously Optimistic as Aegean Earthquake Activity Evolves](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-03T091846Z_527357669_RC2VIG9S7Z9U_RTRMADP_5_GREECE-QUAKE-SANTORINI_med-600x400.jpg)
Seismologists Cautiously Optimistic as Aegean Earthquake Activity Evolves
Seismologists grow increasingly optimistic as Aegean earthquake activity shows signs of decline
![Earthquakes Continue to Shake the Cyclades, Experts Monitor Declining Activity](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-07T140924Z_1597045385_RC2QPCAWU2HK_RTRMADP_5_GREECE-QUAKE-SANTORINI-CONSTRUCTION-scaled-1-600x450.jpg)
Earthquakes Continue to Shake the Cyclades, Experts Monitor Declining Activity
Ongoing earthquakes rattle Greece's Cycladic islands, but experts believe activity may be slowing.
![Santorini Earthquakes Might Affect Greek Tourism Revenue: NBG Report](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/sant-600x352.png)
Santorini Earthquakes Might Affect Greek Tourism Revenue: NBG Report
The areas directly affected by the tremors account for approximately 4% of both the country's annual tourism revenues and the total annual turnover in the accommodation and food service sectors
![Greek Trade Deficit Surges to €34.6 Billion in 2024 Amid Export Decline](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Greek-trade-deficit-600x400.jpeg)
Greek Trade Deficit Surges to €34.6 Billion in 2024 Amid Export Decline
Conversely, numbers indicate that exports declined, totaling to 49.90 billion euros in 2024, down from 51.02 billion euros in 2023 marking a 2.2% decrease.
![Culture Ministry Takes Action to Protect Santorini’s Antiquities](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/h0580224-600x406.jpg)
Culture Ministry Takes Action to Protect Santorini’s Antiquities
So far, no damage has been reported to the island’s cultural heritage, with exhibits already safeguarded. Meanwhile, the Greek Ministry of Culture held an emergency meeting on February 6.