PRESS RELEASES / ANNOUNCEMENTS

Superfast Ferries selected by Scottish enterprise for direct ferry service to Europe

Atticas subsidiary Superfast Ferries S.A. has been selected as the preferred bidder to run a service between Rosyth in Fife, Scotland and the Continent, following a worldwide tender process.

The selection of Superfast Ferries was made by a steering group, chaired by Scottish Enterprise. The Group, which included Scottish Enterprise Fife, Fife Council and the Scottish Tourist Board, received 42 expressions of interest, with a shortlist of four major European companies invited to submit detailed proposals.

Detailed discussions will now take place between Superfast Ferries and the Steering Group to pull together the necessary financial package, including European funding, required to make the proposals a reality.

Speaking on behalf of the Steering Group, Robert Crawford, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise said: "We are delighted to have reached this advanced stage with this project, which Scottish Enterprise has been actively pursuing for a number of years. We can now move quickly to the next stage and then onto the start of the service in 2002. The proposal submitted by Superfast Ferries convinced us that they were both committed and well qualified to run a service between Scotland and Europe".

Alexander P.Panagopulos, Managing Director of Superfast Ferries said: “We are delighted that Scottish Enterprise has chosen us for the direct ferry service between Scotland and the Continent. Like Greece, being in the geographical periphery of Europe, Scotland’s economy has a lot to gain from a direct daily link to its European partners with our brand new and luxurious car passenger and freight ferries”.

For more information please contact:
Mr. Yannis Criticos,
Attica Enterprises S.A.,
tel.: +301 891 9500,
fax : +301 891 9509,
e-mail: criticos@superfast.com