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MINOAN LINES
Founded
in Heraklion in 1972, started to link Piraeus and Heraklion with their first
ship, the “Minos” in 1974. In 1976 the F/B “Ariadne” joined the fleet to link
daily Piraeus and Crete, then, in 1978, the “Minos” opened the link with
Chania, substituted on Heraklion line by the “Knossos”. Minoan Lines is on
international routes from 1981: this was the first year on Patras - Ancona
Route, operated with the “el Greco”. Then, Minoan increased their services
between Italy and Greece: in 1986 the “Ariadne” was introduced on Patras -
Brindisi routes, the 1987 was the year of purchase of F/B Fedra, in 1988 the
“King Minos” joined the fleet, then in 1990 F/B Ariadne inaugurated the new
link Ancona - Corfu - Cephalonia - Piraeus - Paros - Samos - Kusadasi. After
the direct link Italy - Turkey in 1991 Minoan launches also the direct link
Ancona - Heraklion, operated with the “El Greco”, substituted on Ancona line by
the new “Daedalus”. In 1992 the “Erotokritos” was introduced on a new line, the
direct link Patras - Ancona, operated in only 24 hours and the Camping Aboard
service. In 1995 and 1996 Minoan Lines formed a joint venture with Strintzis to
fight the new company Superfast and acquired the “Aretousa”, which was able to
link Patras and Ancona in only 22 hours. In 1998 the new high-speed ferries
“Ikarus” and “Pasiphae” were acquired. In 1999 Minoan founded the new company
“Minoan Flying Dolphins”, then ordered seven High – Speed ferries, four at
Fincantieri Sestri Cantiere Navale yards, three at Samsung Heavy Industries of
South Korea, which started sailing from October 2000 between Piraeus and
Heraklion, then on Venice – Corfu – Igoumenitsa – Patras and Ancona – Corfu –
Igoumenitsa – Patras. From summer 2002 Minoan started a new line connecting
Genoa with Tunis and Malta, ended at beginning of 2003 due to the crisis of
Heraklion-based company. Minoan stated to sell “Prometheus” and “Ariadne Palace
I”; then Corsica Ferries acquire the ex-“Oceanus” with delivery January 2004;
in the meaning time the Samsung twins are deployed on a new line between Bari
and Greece. Is this decision too late?
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