Agios Nektarios:
A new boat for Symi?

SymiGreece has learned and is pleased to be the first to report that ANES, the shipping company of Symi, seems to be buying a new boat. Although there has not been an official announcement (implying that the deal is not a complete certainty yet) the boat is the car ferry "Agios Nektarios" (formerly known as "Panagia Skiathou") servicing the Saronikos islands until recently, and in particular the island of Aegina, off the south coast of Athens. The new boat, built in 1999 by Ergoship Savas Shipyard in Eleusina, north of Athens, was for sale for more than a year and made its last trip to Aegina in early December 2006 (it's been out of service for its annual inspection since then).

Agios Nektarios (dimensions: 75,70 x 14,40 x 3,00 m) has an engine power of 3,392 hp and can reach a speed of 16 knots (though according to some reports its operational speed is no more than 14 knots). It has the capacity to carry 1,000 passengers and 115 vehicles (including 10 twelve-metre lorries and 50 motorbikes).

According to SymiGreece sources, the price for Agios Nektarios was in the region of 4,800,000 Euro and ANES paid for it by giving "Panormitis" catamaran in exchange (worth about 1,500,000 Euro), obtaining a loan (for about 2,000,000), and paying cash for the rest (although according to other sources ANES will also exchange "Proteus").

It is not yet clear whether ANES will put the new boat forward in its expected tender for the subsidised Rhodes-Symi-Tilos-Nisiros-Kos route (currently run by the "Proteus") which is being re-tendered on the 16th of March.

Here are some photos of the new boat; assuming the deal is finalised, "Agios Nektarios" is expected to arrive in Symi in the next fortnight.