2024-07-03 14:04:02
Coastal ferry ticket prices stable and in some cases lower than last year sources from the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy state, however, underlining that there are exceptions which it evaluates in collaboration with the Competition Commission in order to investigate the possibility of improper functioning of the market.
The same sources state that for some time now meetings have been held with the ferry operators to hold down ticket prices and increase discounts and offers.
The results of these consultations are characterized by circles of the Ministry of Shipping as positive for the vast majority of coastal shipping connections. At the same time it is noted that on Wednesday the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Hr. Stylianidis sent a letter to the president of the Competition Commission requesting “closer cooperation so that there is a faster and more effective response to any incidents of abusive behavior in the market by coastal shipping companies”, while reference is made to a case that needs examination.
According to market information, this is one of the smallest companies that also operates high-speed ships. Circles of the Ministry of Shipping proceeded in parallel with the following informal briefing:
Since last winter, meetings and cooperation with the cruise lines have started on the issue of holding down ticket prices and providing additional offers. The result is positive in the vast majority of coastal ferry connections. From 7/6/2024 to 16/6/2024, the local port authorities carried out 377 checks on passenger and passenger ferries of the coastal shipping industry and confirmed seven (7) violations for failure to inform the competent Authority about changes in ticket prices ( article 44 proc. 13 of Law 4948/2022).
At the same time, the process of imposing administrative sanctions and the prescribed fines began. Intensive checks will continue throughout the summer season. At the same time, checks are carried out for compliance or non-compliance with the state charter, where required. A Price Observatory has been created which checks in (almost) real time all the issued tickets of the coastal shipping and at the same time has a historical archive. The Observatory is currently in pilot operation and is expected very soon to issue weekly, monthly and annual reports for selected lines, both for conventional and high-speed vessels.
Source kathimerini.gr