In a statement responding to the allegations regarding the 15-day maritime isolation of Kythira, the company Seajets blames Ministry of Merchant Marine, describing its design incorrect and accusing it of approved another ship that did not meet the required standards.
The ship Aqua Jewel, which had been operating on the line in recent years, went into hibernation for a year on 23 January 2025, since—as the company claims— The law allows for up to 60 days of annual maintenance for safety reasons.
However, No plans were made in a timely manner to replace it, with the result that Kythira and Antikythira remain without ferry service for two weeks.
Seajets' Charges Against the Ministry
In its announcement, the Seajets states that the The Ministry bears sole responsibility, since he chose to replace the Aqua Jewel with another ship that did not meet the specifications.
At the same time, the company maintains that the Ministry owes her more than 9 million euros from outstanding public service rent payments from the July 2024.
Specifically, Seajets' announcement reads as follows:
“The Aqua Jewel, operated by Jambo Jet N.E., operates its routes without interruption in recent years, serving this particular route.
By law, every ship is entitled to 60 days per year to perform scheduled maintenance work in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications for all components necessary to keep a ship seaworthy. On January 23, 2025, we submitted a request to the relevant ministry to begin the vessel’s annual layup.
No ship today The situation on this route is due exclusively to a design flaw on the part of the Ministry of Merchant Marine, which approved another ship to operate this specific route without it meeting all the required qualifications.
Finally, please note that, as of July 2024, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs owes the group over 9 million euros in public service lease payments that have been rendered, which it is is obligated to pay but has not paid.”
Unanswered Questions and Responsibilities
This development raises serious questions:
• Why didn't the Ministry secure a reliable replacement for the Aqua Jewel in a timely manner?;
• Which ship was approved to replace it, and why was it deemed unsuitable?;
• Why haven't the ferry companies received the rent they are owed from the Ministry?;
• Will there be an immediate solution to connect Kythira and Antikythira, or will the same uncertainty continue year after year?;
The residents of Kythira have tired of being held hostage by the ferry system, while the a back-and-forth of blame between the government and companies leaves the island at the mercy of circumstances. Society demands stability, transparency, and accountability in the management of coastal shipping, rather than last-minute solutions that create chaos and insecurity.
