Supporting sustainable travel with Attica Ferries

Every year, Attica Group’s 34 ferries transport over 7 million passengers between sixty destinations in Europe and North Africa. As George Anagnostou, Attica’s Chief Operating Officer, tells us, the addition of three innovative catamarans to its fleet will further its aim of providing modern, high-quality transportation to travelers.

Do you think that the environmental impact of ferry travel is important to passengers? 

We do believe that there is a growing awareness among passengers regarding their environmental footprint, which is important given that shipping provides a greener alternative to air travel. Our operations impact air, water and coastal habitats, so it’s natural that passengers expect us to reduce our environmental footprint wherever we can.

With this in mind, our short- to mid-term priorities are to manage the green transition, digitally enhance our customer experience, and manage the tonnage flexibility and age of our fleet.

How do the new vessels advance these goals?

These truly state-of-the-art vessels are extremely light and aerodynamic, energy efficient and comfortable. They represent the culmination of pioneering innovative design for high-speed vessels. 

We worked with Norway’s Brødrene Aa shipyard, which is known worldwide for high-speed vessels like the Aero catamarans.

In terms of sustainable design to mitigate our carbon footprint, carbon fiber was used to make the vessels ultra-light and reduce fuel consumption and air emissions. Furthermore, all the energy used for lightning and powering the accommodation areas will be generated with solar panels installed on the vessel.

Our 3 million annual passengers will benefit from a significant upgrade in their travel experience. Even in rough seas, the innovative hull form and upgraded ride control will ensure their comfort. We have chosen an innovative interior layout to further improve the services on offer and onboard comfort. The passenger accommodation is full of natural light, very spacious, and equipped to welcome passengers travelling with bicycles and pets or needing mobility support.

The Aero vessels will travel the routes from Athens to the Saronic islands, increasing their passenger capacity and helping to boost the local economy.  
 

How do you think class societies can help ferry companies to prepare for the future?

Like so many in the transportation sector, ferry companies face several challenges in the coming years. Not least among them will be navigating the shipping industry’s decarbonization transformation. This is where class societies can make a difference. They can act as an interface between shipping companies and international and regional regulatory bodies. By partnering with research centers and academic institutions Class can help advance new propulsion technologies and zero-carbon fuels safely. Finally, they can provide the analytical tools and expert advice we will need to adapt our vessels and design new ones that are suited to a new zero-carbon world.

We believe that passenger vessels provide a vital lower-emissions means of transportation. By supporting innovative vessels like Attica’s newest craft, we hope to help operators ensure high levels of comfort and safety, and help encourage passengers to adopt greener travel.