The «Aqua Jewel»’s advancement to the next stage of the bidding process for the Samothrace routes is setting a new precedent for coastal shipping.
According to an official response from the Ministry of Shipping, the «Adamantios Korais,» the «Superrunner Jet II,» and the «Aqua Jewel» participated in the tender. The bids from all three companies were deemed complete; however, only the bid submitted by «Jambo Jet N.E.» was selected, because the «Aqua Jewel» is a newer vessel, as stipulated by a relevant condition in the tender notice.
The process has not been completed, as «Serifos Fast Ferries» has filed a preliminary injunction, which is pending. Until then, the «Adamantios Korais» will continue to operate the Alexandroupoli–Samothrace route until October 31, 2026.
As for Kythira, it has not yet been officially announced which ship will operate the route in the event that it is relocated.
The Ministry clarifies that if a ship is selected for more than one route that it cannot serve simultaneously, the company is required to choose which route it will operate on.
Therefore, the next step is to finalize the appeal and issue the final decisions regarding the Samothrace route and, consequently, the future scheduling of the «Aqua Jewel.».
At the same time, the possibility remains open that, should the «Aqua Jewel» be relocated, another ship could be deployed on the Kythira routes. The key requirement will be for the new ship to fully meet the route’s requirements—particularly given the challenging sea conditions in the area—and to ensure reliability, safety, and consistency in service, even when adverse weather conditions prevail. The Super Star, which is currently operating on the Kythira route in place of the Aqua Jewel, appears to be a good alternative. It has a deeper draft and is faster, bringing Piraeus and Crete even «closer» to Kythira and Antikythira.
