The ferry line connecting the ports of Lavrio in Greece and Cesme in Turkey was launched on Monday in the presence of Greek Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Christos Spirtzis and Turkish Ambassador to Greece Burak Ozugergin.
Spirtzis, who called the project “a national work and a step towards friendship,” said that “we must make progress in the friendship and cooperation between our peoples, with respect to international law and treaties, not on the basis of (Turkey’s) recent actions.”
The Transport Minister pointed out that the new ferry line is being launched on a historic day, when Greek refugees of Asia Minor arrived at the port of Lavrion after the uprooting of their grandparents in the early 20th century.
He stressed that a series of infrastructure projects, including the upgrading of the railway network and the Thrasian Valley Freight Center, will elevate the region to an important transport and transit hub. The minister also referred to the extension of Attiki Odos and the railway network of the Suburban Railway to Lavrion, a project which he said is “already ripe for its implementation.”
The event was attended by Turkish and Greek representatives of the Turkish shipping owner company Aegeanseaways, represented in Greece by Stefmar Ltd., as well as Lavrio port, coast guard, and local officials.
In his speech, Ambassador Ozugergin said “this line will unite peoples and products,” and mentioned that Turkey is the third largest importer of Greek goods. He added that the vessel “will carry passengers, vehicles and products to and fro both sides of the Aegean Sea.”
The new line has scheduled three round trips per week: Departing Cesme at 22:00 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, arriving at Lavrio at 06:00 am, then departing Lavrio at 22:00, arriving at Cesme at 06:00 am the next morning.