The commitment from the government and the Ministry of Shipping was expressed by the person in charge Minister Christos Stylianidis that all the necessary procedures have already been launched for the smooth operation of a combination of different lines, which will ensure seamless connection of the Northern Sporadesboth with Evia, Mantoudi and Volos, as well as with Thessaloniki.
Especially for the connection with Thessaloniki, the Minister of Shipping, in response to a question in the Parliament, emphasized that this connection did not exist, just like last year, and it will become possible in the coming days, after the meeting of the Coastal Connections Council (SAC) and the approval expected from it and after the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy secured the necessary funding.
As he said, “this will come from resources mainly of the Ministry itself, but also from resources of the special Rehabilitation Fund, which has been created for the wider region, due to the disasters of Daniel and after the valuable assistance of the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and Christos Triandopoulos”.
For the commercial lines, from Volos as well as Mantoudi, these have already been planned and approved by the competent S.A.S., which means that overall, with the data currently available, the Northern Sporades will have a similar, perhaps even a better environment for coastal ferry connections compared to previous years, as the Minister characteristically mentioned.
With reference to the prices of ferry tickets, Mr. Stylianidis clarified that there is national and European legislation, which for many years, applies the free provision of services to maritime taxis, under specific conditions, i.e. free market conditions. However, he characteristically added that the Ministry always monitors the development of coastal ferry fares and ensures the strict observance of the relevant legislation, exerting relative pressure for a reasonable restraint of prices, which is decisively contributed to by the establishment and operation of the relevant Price Observatory .
At the same time, he pointed out that the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy takes care of the categories of vulnerable groups (such as families with three children, families of deputy teachers, regional island sports associations, those who serve in the Security Forces, even volunteer groups) and intervenes, with the aim of reducing of these prices and the existence of relevant discounts, not only in the area of the Northern Sporades, but throughout the island country.
