Filenews 18 April 2022
By Anastasia Vamvaka
Although the fair wind has not yet blown in coastal shipping, new business plans are beginning to be implemented, with new ship launches and waiting for new routes with Turkey and Cyprus.
The new acquisition of Sea Jet, the "Super Star" the former Super Ferry II, began its itineraries with afternoon itineraries from Rafina to Andros – Tinos – Mykonos – Paros. In anticipation for the beginning of summer is the ship CAT I, formerly Alkioni, which enters the lines of the Sporades. The shipowner George Yialozoglou bought the ship with the confiscation from the bank and will operate the routes Agios Konstantinos – Sporades.
"The launch of CAT I comes to upgrade the services offered in sea transport, carrying passengers daily from Agios Konstantinos to Skiathos in 2 hours and 5 minutes, to Skopelos in 3 hours and 5 minutes and to Alonissos in 3 hours and 45 minutes, comfortably and pleasantly", points out the company's management.
At the same time, in anticipation for mid-June is the launch of two passenger ferries that will connect for the first time Thessaloniki with the historic city of Smyrna, but also after twenty-one years Limassol with Piraeus.
On the line, Thessaloniki – Smyrna will be launched the ship "Smyrna", which belongs to the shipping company Levante Ferries of George Theodosis, which also owns the company providing telephone services 11880 and which is now located in the shipyards.
As far as the sea line is concerned, Limassol – Piraeus, the final decision of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping of Cyprus is awaiting the selection of the shipowner who will undertake the subsidized line. It is recalled that three shipping companies participated in the international competition. The sea passenger connection between Greece and Cyprus will be with 22 routes without a stopover. According to the plan, the itineraries will start from April or May and will end in September or October. Tickets will range from €50 to €80 with return. Moreover, the car will always be accompanied and its price will be at €150 roundtrip while on mopeds the return ticket will be €100.
ANEK LINES
Turnover moved upwards for the whole of 2021, as the gradual restoration of economic activity led to an improvement in the economic climate and the recovery of the economy at international level. In the Greek economy, the better-than-expected course of tourism and the sharp increase in exports contributed significantly to the growth of GDP.
ANEK Lines' financial figures deteriorated, as after taxes and minority interests the losses widened to 41.7 million euros. for 2021 from losses of EUR 15.1 million. last year, while the net result of the parent company was set at a loss of EUR 42.9 million. EUR 14.8 million in losses. in 2020.
The increase in losses, however, came against the path of revenues, which were boosted to +21% and EUR 150 million. at Group level and at 129.4 million euros. euro at the level of the parent company. The EBITDA results (before taxes on financial results and depreciations) were also improved, which amounted to EUR 7 million. EUR 6.8 million in 2020. For the parent company, by contrast, EBITDA was set at EUR 4.1 million. EUR 0.7 million less euro. In order to address the existing risks, the Group left open the possibility of adjustments of the pricing policy, in order to offset the negative impact of the increased prices of fuels and raw materials.
In the passenger shipping sector, the restrictions imposed on the movement of passengers, due to the implementation of emergency measures to deal with the spread of the pandemic, continued in the first months of 2021 and were gradually lifted until mid-May, while the reduced occupancy protocols for passengers on board ships continued to apply. In 2021, a partial recovery of transport work and revenues was achieved compared to 2020 where the negative effects of the pandemic were particularly pronounced, resulting in unprecedented losses in these figures. However, the rapid rise in international oil prices absorbed most of the benefit of increased traffic and revenues. The Group's fuel purchase prices in 2021 recorded an increase of approximately 45% compared to the previous year.
Financial and investment results
The net financial cost of the Group and the Company for 2021 amounted to €10.0m. for €8.9 million. in the previous year, while the results from investment activities amounted to losses of €25.7 million. against losses of €0.1 million. in 2020. The high losses of the investment results of the financial year 2021 resulted mainly from impairments of the value of the ships, as well as from the effect of the non-exercise of the right to purchase a ship and the recognition of the relevant leasing contract from the fixed assets and liabilities.
Net results
As a result of the above, the consolidated net profit after tax for 2021 amounted to a loss of €40.2 million. against losses of €14.1 million, while net profit after taxes and minority interests amounted to losses of €41.7 million. against losses of €15.1 million. Accordingly, Parent's net profit after tax for 2021 amounted to a loss of € 43.9 million. against losses of €14.8 million.
In the first quarter of 2022, the Group's passenger traffic and transport operations were at fairly satisfactory levels, which confirms the estimate for the return of the relevant figures to the pre-pandemic data. However, international oil prices in 2022 gradually reached unprecedentedly high levels affected by current geopolitical developments and the energy crisis. In conclusion, on an economic level, geopolitical uncertainty, the energy crisis, price increases and the evolution of possible new variants of the COVID-19 pandemic maintain a climate of concern.
Source: Capital.gr
