MINOAN LINES Extends Its European Maritime Service

A premier ceremony was held on Wednesday December 12, 2012 at the port of Trieste, for the inauguration of MINOAN LINES new maritime service between the ports of PATRAS – IGOUMENITSA – ANCONA – TRIESTE; a vital connection between Greece, Northern Italy and Europe.

The inauguration ceremony was held onboard CRUISE EUROPA and it was attended on behalf of Grimaldi Group and MINOAN LINES by Mr. Guido Grimaldi, Commercial Director Short Sea Lines of Grimaldi Lines, Mr. Antonis Maniadakis, Managing Director of Minoan Lines, Mr. Paul Kyprianou, Member of the Board of Directors of Minoan Lines and executive members of the company’s Commercial Departments of Passengers and Cargo.

Furthermore, the ceremony was honorably attended by key executive members of the local authorities, Mr. Roberto Cosolini, Mayor of the City, Mr. Maurizio Bucci, Councilman of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Region and Deputy President of Infrastructure and Transport Commission, Ms. Federica Seganti, Director of Tourism Development of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Region; the port authorities’ representatives, Mr. Fabio Rizzi, Trieste Port Authority Security Manager, Mr. Natale Serrano, Trieste Port Authority and Coast Guard, Mr. Franco Napp, Managing Director of Trieste Passenger Terminal and a great number of attendees of both the local and Greek communities of Trieste.

Also, the ceremony attended general sales agents, port agents and partners from MINOAN LINES commercial network. Finally, the ceremony was promoted by media representatives and journalists from Italy and Slovenia.

Mr. Guido Grimaldi and Mr. Antonis Maniadakis expressed their thankfulness to the local port authorities and community bodies of Trieste and specifically addressed their speeches to the commercial network and cargo agents of Minoan Lines underlying the following:

“By launching this new line, we wish to confirm once again the big commitment of the Grimaldi Group to further enhance the development of a sustainable maritime transport service within the Mediterranean, promoting the transportation of trucks and trailers “FROM LAND TO SEA” and offering a high quality and economically convenient maritime service, while ensuring the principle of protecting the environment. Furthermore, the new line will benefit significantly the tourism industry of Greece and Italy, because of the vital location of Trieste, as a natural gateway hub connecting the countries of northern, central and southern Europe. All passengers travelling from Europe will have the opportunity to discover the beauty of Greece and its islands while enjoying a relaxing cruising experience, high quality of services and great variety of facilities onboard the cruise vessels of our company”, Mr. Guido Grimaldi, Commercial Manager Short Sea Lines of Grimaldi Lines said.

“The introduction and operation of this new line underscores Minoan Lines and Grimaldi Group’s ongoing commitment, even in times of recession, to provide a powerful employment incentive as well as a convenient, safe, reliable and environmentally-friendly new travel alternative, which will enhance our country’s efforts to remain a competitive leisure tourist destination. It is worth noting that citizens throughout Europe have a great affinity for the charms of Greece and we can foresee that this new connection will provide our industry with a tremendous boost. We are confident that the new service will accelerate traffic and economic growth, offer our customers a great choice for high quality affordable travel and further contribute to the strong trade and tourism relations between our two countries”, Mr. Antonis Maniadakis, Managing Director of MINOAN LINES said.

The ceremonial celebration was concluded with the commemoration of honorable plaques to the key executive members of the local authorities of Trieste by Mr. Guido Grimaldi, on behalf of the Grimaldi Group and the special greetings of Mr. Roberto Cosolini, Mayor of the City of Trieste, Ms. Federica Seganti, Director of Tourism Development of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Region and Mr. Franco Napp, Managing Director of Trieste Passenger Terminal for the new connection of Minoan Lines with the port of Trieste.

[mappress]

MINOAN LINES, December 14, 2012; Image: