For the first time in ten years, a ferry service was launched on Saturday connecting Thessaloniki, in northern Greece with the Aegean islands and Crete.
The route, operated by ferry company Seajets, will run twice a week for three months and connect Thessaloniki, Skiathos, Syros and other Cyclades isles with Heraklion on Crete.
The Seajets’ Aqua Blue will serve Thessalonki-Skiathos-Andros-Syros-Tinos-Mykonos-Paros-Naxos-Santorini-Crete twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday, with the trip lasting 18-19 hours.
As of July 9 and every Monday, the Aqua Blue will run the Thessaloniki-Skiathos-Skopelos-Alonissos route.
The refurbished Aqua Blue can transport up to 1,300 passengers and 400 vehicles.
The route is subsidized by government funds for remote island regions.
“This ferry connection can create new markets for the Cycladic islands,” said Alternate Shipping Minister Nektarios Santorinios.
The new route has been applauded by officials of Thessaloniki and the destinations the new route will service. “Thessaloniki no longer faces coastal shipping isolation, at least not this summer,” Deputy Regional Governor Voula Patoulidou had said during an event recently.