Many questions have arisen over the Ministry of Shipping’s sudden decision regarding ANEK in an emergency meeting of the Kalymnos Municipal Council on Friday, October 25, 2024. The decision shocks the island.
Kalymnos Mayor Ioannis Mastrokoukos informed the council of a new age requirement imposed by the Ministry of Shipping for the North Dodecanese line tender. This new requirement excludes the participation of the vessel Nisos Kalymnos, owned by ANEK, from the competition. This sudden development, occurring just a day before the tender announcement, signals the beginning of the end for the Municipal Shipping Company of Kalymnos, with enormous economic, social, and national consequences for all the islands the vessel serves on this subsidized line.
It was unanimously decided that the Municipality and all the affected islands would fight to save the company from closure.
