Attica Group

{{Short description|Greek ferry operator}} {{Missing information|operations between 1924 and 1993|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = Attica Holdings S.A. | logo = File:Attica group logo.svg | trade_name = Attica Group<ref name="gemi" /> | native_name = Attica Ανώνυμος Εταιρία Συμμετοχών<ref name="gemi" /> | native_name_lang = el | type = Public | traded_as = {{Athex|ATTICA}} | ISIN = GRS144003001 | founded = {{Start date and age|1918|10|27|df=yes}}<ref name="gemi" /> as Attica Flour Mills S.A. | founders = {{unbulleted list|[[Savvas Kamperoglou]]|[[Alexander Panagopoulos]]}} | hq_location_city = [[Kallithea]], [[Athens]] | hq_location_country = Greece<ref name="gemi" /> | origins = | key_people = {{unbulleted list|Kyriakos D. Magiras (Chairman)|Panagogiannopoulos Nikolaos (President)|Spiridon Paschalis (CEO)}} | industry = {{unbulleted list|[[Shipping]]|[[Transport]]}} | products = | services = | revenue = €290.40 million (2020)<ref name=20rep>{{cite web|url=https://www.attica-group.com/attachments/article/2651/ATTICA_12_2020.pdf|title=ATTICA Report|language=Greek|website=attica-group.com|access-date=13 September 2023}}</ref> | operating_income = €40.46 million (2020)<ref name=20rep/> | net_income = €(53.63) million (2020)<ref name=20rep/> | assets = €905.48 million (2020)<ref name=20rep/> | equity = €378.35 million (2020)<ref name=20rep/> | num_employees = 1,412 (2020)<ref name=20rep/> | parent = | divisions = | subsid = {{Unbulleted list||[[ANEK Lines]]|Attica Blue Hospitality<ref name="group-profile">{{cite web |title=Group Profile |url=https://attica-group.com/en/attica-group/group-profile.html |access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref>|[[Blue Star Ferries]]|[[Hellenic Seaways]]|[[Superfast Ferries]]}} | owner = [[Piraeus Bank|Strix Holdings LP]] (86.704%)<ref name="strix">{{cite web |title=ΓΝΩΣΤΟΠΟΙΗΣΗ ΣΗΜΑΝΤΙΚΗΣ ΜΕΤΑΒΟΛΗΣ ΣΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΨΗΦΟΥ ΣΥΜΦΩΝΑ ΜΕ ΤΟ Ν. 3556/2007 |url=https://www.attica-group.com/attachments/article/6421/GNWSTOPOIHSH_SHMANTIKHS_METAVOLHS_STA_DIKAIWMATA_PSHFOY_SYMFWNA_ME_TO_-_N._3556_%202007_(12_12_23).pdf |access-date=12 December 2023 |page=1 |language=el |quote=Η STRIX HOLDINGS L.P. η οποία ελέγχεται εμμέσως από τον MUBASHIR MUKADAM κατέχει άμεσα και έμμεσα μετοχές και δικαιώματα ψήφου στην Εκδότρια που αντιστοιχούν σε ποσοστό 86,704% επί του συνόλου των δικαιωμάτων ψήφου της Εκδότριας.}}</ref> | slogan = | website = {{URL|attica-group.com}} }}

'''Attica Holdings S.A.'''<ref name="gemi">{{cite web |title=Στοιχεία Δημοσιότητας |url=https://www.businessregistry.gr/publicity/show/5780001000 |website=Business Registry |publisher=Union of Hellenic Chambers Of Commerce |access-date=16 February 2023 |language=el}}</ref> is an operator of international ferry services in [[Europe]]. Attica Group's operations include its subsidiaries [[Superfast Ferries]], which began in 1995 with the launch of its first ships, ''Superfast I'' and ''Superfast II'', and [[Blue Star Ferries]], which operates ferries in the [[Aegean Sea]] to the [[Greek islands]]. In June 2018, Attica Group increased its share in [[Hellenic Seaways]] to 98.83%. [[Hellenic Seaways]] is a subsidiary of the Attica Group following the acquisition of a minority interest of 1.17% in July 2019. In December 2023, it acquired [[ANEK Lines]], rendering the operator number two in the volume of passengers commuted in Europe.<ref name="ANEKmerger">{{cite web |title=ΟΛΟΚΛΗΡΩΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΣΥΓΧΩΝΕΥΣΗΣ ΜΕ ΑΠΟΡΡΟΦΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ "ΑΝΩΝΥΜΗ ΝΑΥΤΙΛΙΑΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ ΚΡΗΤΗΣ Α.Ε." ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ "ATTICA A.E. ΣΥΜΜΕΤΟΧΩΝ" |url=https://www.attica-group.com/attachments/article/6418/OLOKLHROSH_THS_SYGXONEYSHS_ME_APOROFHSH_THS_ANEK_APO_THN_ATTICA.pdf |access-date=4 December 2023 |language=el}}</ref><ref name="Newsroom">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-05 |title=Takeover of troubled ANEK by Attica Group is approved {{!}} eKathimerini.com |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1217138/takeover-of-troubled-anek-by-attica-group-is-approved/ |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=www.ekathimerini.com |language=en}}</ref>

==History== The company was established in 1918 in [[Piraeus]], Greece, under the name "General Company of Commerce and Industry of Greece". In the beginning, it specialised in producing and trading [[flour]] under the name of "Attica Flour Mills SA". In 1922, the company changed hands and was renamed Attica Enterprises S.A. This was later revised to Attica Enterprises Holding S.A. before being shortened to Attica Group.

'''1924''' The Attica Group was listed on the [[Athens Exchange|Athens Stock Exchange]], marking a key step in its growth and public presence.

Throughout the mid-20th century, Attica Group remained primarily engaged in commercial trading and non-shipping activities, without major operations in ferry transport.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Analysis |first=PESTEL |date=2025-09-18 |title=What is Brief History of Attica Group Company? |url=https://pestel-analysis.com/blogs/brief-history/attica-group |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=PESTEL ANALYSIS |language=en}}</ref>

'''1993''' A new management team, chaired by Pericles S. Panagopulos, created the shipping subsidiary Attica Maritime S.A., later renamed Superfast Ferries Maritime S.A. The first two Superfast car-passenger ferries, ''Superfast I'' and ''Superfast II'', were ordered from Schichau Seebeckwerft AG in Bremen, Germany.

'''1995''' April and June: The two ordered car-passenger ferries, ''Superfast I'' and ''Superfast II'', were delivered and employed in the Patras–Ancona–Patras service. The two ferries cut the crossing time between Patras and Ancona by up to 40%.

'''1996''' July: Two new Superfast car-passenger ferries, ''Superfast III'' and ''Superfast IV'', were ordered at Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Turku, Finland.

'''1998''' April: ''Superfast III'' and ''Superfast IV'' were delivered and deployed on the Patras–Ancona–Patras route, while ''Superfast I'' and ''Superfast II'' launched a new route linking Patras and Igoumenitsa with Bari in southern Italy.

'''2006''' February: Attica sells its 12.33% stake in [[Hellenic Seaways]] acquired a year earlier.

March: Blue Star Ferries' passenger-only catamaran ''SeaJet 2'' is sold. The sale of the vessel is part of the company's policy to focus on the operation of fast, modern conventional car-passenger vessels.

April: ''Superfast VII'', ''Superfast VIII'', and ''Superfast IX'', serving on the [[Rostock]], Germany – [[Hanko, Finland|Hanko]], Finland route in the [[Baltic Sea]] are sold to AS Tallink Grupp. The sold vessels will retain their names and continue sailing under the Superfast livery until the end of 2007 at the latest, following an agreement with AS Tallink Grupp.

Attica Group maintains its presence in the [[Baltic Sea]] with the operation of its two [[Ro-ro|RoRo]] vessels, which trade between Rostock, Germany, and [[Uusikaupunki]], Finland.

July: Attica's subsidiary, Blue Star Maritime S.A., acquires the total assets of DANE Sea Line for a total of €19.9 million. The assets included the car-passenger ferry ''Diagoras'', which is deployed to the [[Dodecanese]] Islands' routes in August.

August: Attica enters into an agreement to sell to Veolia Transport its ice-class vessel ''Superfast X'' trading between Scotland and Belgium for a total cash consideration of €112 million. The delivery of ''Superfast X'' and final payment is to take place at the beginning of 2007.

November: Attica enters into an agreement with Fret Cetam of France for the chartering of RoRo ''Nordia'' until October 2008. RoRo ''Nordia'' was deployed on the Uusikaupunki, Finland – Rostock, Germany route together with RoRo ''Marin''. As of the beginning of 2007, RoRo ''Marin'' is to be redeployed from the Baltic Sea to serve the needs of the Group in the Greece–Italy routes in the Adriatic Sea and in the domestic market.

Blue Star Ferries is voted "Passenger Line of the Year" at Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards.

December: Attica Group announces the deployment of ''Blue Star 1'' of its subsidiary Blue Star Ferries to the Scotland–Belgium service as of the end of January 2007. ''Blue Star 1'' is to replace ''Superfast X'', which was sold earlier in the year, and is to be delivered to her new owners in February 2007.

'''2007''' February: Attica Group increases its stake in Minoan Lines to 22.25%.

June: Attica sells its total participation in Minoan Lines S.A.

August: Attica proceeded in the assignment of new offices and new responsibilities to its board members. On behalf of its subsidiaries Superfast Ferries and Blue Star Ferries, Attica Group donated the amount of €150,000 to the Special Relief Fund for the benefit of the victims of the recent fires in Greece.

September: Attica Group announces the purchase of two RoPax ships, built in 1998 and 1999.

Attica Group, pursuant to Law 3556/2007, Decision 1/434/03.07.2007 and Circular nr. 33 of the [[Hellenic Capital Market Commission]], announced that [[Marfin Investment Group]] Holdings S.A., which is closely associated to the vice-chairman of the Board of Directors Andreas Vgenopoulos, bought shares of the company as follows:

a) on 20 February 2008 bought 19,295 shares with total net value of €106,292.29 b) on 21 February 2008 bought 10,518 shares with total net value of €57,938.79

'''2008''' September: [[Zeebrugge]]–[[Rosyth]] route discontinued on 13 September. The service will be restarted in spring 2009 by [[Norfolkline]].

On 12 March 2009, ''Superfast XII'' began service on the newly established [[Piraeus]]–[[Heraklion]] route. In December, [[Brittany Ferries]] acquired ''[[Superfast V]]'' from the Attica Group for €81.50 million. Following its delivery in February 2010, the ship was renamed MV ''Cap Finistère''.

In June 2016, Attica Group and [[BMCE Bank]] established [[Africa Morocco Link]] (AML), a [[joint venture]] that would operate scheduled ferry services from Morocco to Europe. Attica Group held a 49% minority stake in the new company, with the remainder held by a consortium of Moroccan investors led by BMCE Bank.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bluestarferries.com/en/about-us/the-company/news-announcements/1798-agreement-to-start-scheduled-ferry-services-between-morocco-and-continental-europe-through-new-moroccan-company-%E2%80%9Cafrica-morocco-links%E2%80%9D.html|title=.: Blue Star Ferries - news & announcements :.|publisher=|accessdate=7 October 2017}}</ref>

In May 2018, Attica Group secured a 50.3% controlling interest in [[Hellenic Seaways]], increasing its stake in the company to 98.83% by June. The overall transaction amounted to €142.9 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.attica-group.com/attachments/article/2499/ATTICA_12MONTH_2018_ANNUAL_FINANCIAL_REPORT.pdf|title=2018 Annual Financial Report|website=attica-group.com|access-date=13 September 2023}}</ref>

In September 2022, Attica Group acquired [[ANEK Lines]], expanding the company's network of routes while maintaining ANEK Lines as its fourth cruise line subsidiary.<ref name="Newsroom"/><ref>Attica Group swallows ANEK Lines ''[[Ships Monthly]]'' October 2023 page 7</ref>

In April 2024, Attica Group sold its 49% share in [[Africa Morocco Link]] to [[Stena Line]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://attica-group.com/attachments/article/6456/SYMFONIA_GIA_THN_POLHSH_ETAIRIKHS_SYMMETOXHS_STO_MAROCO.pdf|title=ΣΥΜΦΩΝΙΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΠΩΛΗΣΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΙΚΗΣ ΣΥΜΜΕΤΟΧΗΣ ΣΤΟ ΜΑΡΟΚΟ|publisher=|accessdate=8 April 2024}}</ref>

==Fleet== The Attica Group fleet includes 39 ships operated by four subsidiaries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.attica-group.com/en/attica-group/group-profile.html|title=GROUP PROFILE|date=5 February 2024|website=attica-group|access-date=5 February 2024}}</ref>

===[[ANEK Lines]]=== {{Div col|rules=yes|colwidth=22em}} *''[[Asterion II]]'' *''[[Elyros (ship)|Elyros]]'' *''[[Kissamos (ship)|Kissamos]]'' *''[[MF Prevelis|Prevelis]]'' (Laid up) *''[[El. Venizelos (ship)|El. Venizelos]]'' (On bareboat charter for [[Algerie Ferries]]) *''[[Kydon]]'' (On bareboat charter for [[Ferries del Caribe]]) {{div col end}}

===[[Blue Star Ferries]]=== {{Div col|rules=yes|colwidth=22em}} *''[[Blue Star 1]]'' *''[[Blue Star 2]]'' *''[[Blue Star Delos]]'' *''[[Blue Star Chios]]'' *''[[Blue Star Myconos]]'' *''[[Blue Star Naxos]]'' *''[[Blue Star Paros]]'' *''[[Blue Star Patmos]]'' *''[[Blue Carrier 1]]'' *''[[Blue Carrier 2]]'' *''[[Diagoras (ship)|Diagoras]]'' {{div col end}}

===[[Hellenic Seaways]]=== {{Div col|rules=yes|colwidth=22em}} *''[[Artemis (1997 ship)|Artemis]]'' *''[[Nissos Rodos]]'' *''[[Nissos Samos]]'' *''[[HSC Hellenic Highspeed|Hellenic Highspeed]]'' *''[[HSC Highspeed 3|Highspeed 3]]'' *''[[HSC Highspeed 4|Highspeed 4]]'' (sold to [[Seajets]]) *''[[AERO 1 Highspeed]]'' *''[[AERO 2 Highspeed]]'' *''[[AERO 3 Highspeed]]'' *''AERO 4 Highspeed'' (it will enter service in summer 2026) *''AERO 5 Highspeed'' (it will enter service in summer 2026) *''[[Flyingcat 3]]'' (sold to [[Seajets]]) *''[[Flyingcat 4]]'' (sold to [[Seajets]]) *''[[Flyingcat 5]]'' (sold to [[Seajets]]) *''[[Flyingcat 6]]'' (sold to [[Seajets]]) *''[[Flying Dolphin XVII]]'' (Laid up) *''[[Flying Dolphin XXIX]]'' (Laid up) {{div col end}}

===[[Superfast Ferries]]=== {{Div col|rules=yes|colwidth=22em}} *''[[Superfast I]]'' *''[[Superfast II]]'' *''[[Olympic Champion (Ship)|Superfast III]]'' *''[[Hellenic Spirit|Superfast IV]]'' *''[[MS Superfast XI|Superfast XI]]'' *''[[Ariadne (1996 ship)|Ariadne]]'' *''[[Lefka Ori (ship)|Lefka Ori]]'' {{div col end}}

==Controversies== On 18 January 2023, Lighthouse Reports, in collaboration with [[SRF 1|SRF]], [[ARD (broadcaster)|ARD]], [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]], ''Il Domani'' and ''Solomon'', published a report claiming illegal pushbacks of [[Asylum seeker|asylum seekers]] from Italy to Greece using [[Superfast Ferries|Superfast]] ferries. If those asylum seekers arrived at the ports of Venice, Ancona, Bari, and Brindisi, they were denied the opportunity to seek asylum and were pushed back using ferries operated by Attica Group, specifically [[Superfast Ferries]]. Immigrants were put into shower rooms and metal boxes with caged roofs, sometimes being handcuffed to metal shelves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Detained below deck |url=https://www.lighthousereports.nl/investigation/detained-below-deck/ |access-date=31 January 2023 |website=Lighthouse Reports |language=en}}</ref>

On 6 September 2023, a 36-year-old passenger on board the ''Blue Horizon'', operated by [[Blue Star Ferries]], died when crew members pushed him from the ship's hatch. The passenger was en route to his birthplace, Crete, but had experienced a delay in boarding the ferry. Despite his intentions to board, ferry workers denied him access and pushed him off the loading ramp, causing him to fall into the sea, where he drowned. The incident was captured on video by other ''Blue Horizon'' ferry passengers.

In response to the video evidence shared on social media, authorities took action. Four crew members of the ''Blue Horizon'' ferry, including the deck officer and the master, were arrested. A Greek prosecutor filed criminal charges just one day after the event, targeting the ferry captain and three of his crew members in connection with the 36-year-old man's death. One crew member faced charges of possible intentional homicide, while the other two were charged with complicity. The captain was charged with serious breaches of shipping regulations.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Charges brought against Greek ferry crew over death of passenger pushed into sea |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 September 2023 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/06/greek-captain-three-crew-members-face-homicide-charges-passenger-death}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 September 2023 |title=Man dies after being forcefully pushed off ferry in Piraeus {{!}} eKathimerini.com |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1219320/man-dies-after-been-forcefully-pushed-off-ferry-in-piraeus/ |access-date=6 September 2023 |website=www.ekathimerini.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Greek ferry captain, 3 seamen charged over death |website=[[Associated Press News]] |date=6 September 2023 |url=https://apnews.com/article/greece-ferry-passenger-death-arrests-travel-crete-a1c8bb9b0ab89751fa1e662aee0dcbe2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ο 36χρονος που έσπρωξαν στο Blue Horizon είχε εισιτήριο |date=6 September 2023 |url=https://www.protothema.gr/greece/article/1409384/kriti-o-36hronos-pou-skotothike-sto-blue-horizon-zouse-se-ergatikes-katoikies-sto-lasithi-melos-10melous-oikogeneias/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Horizon crew detained for the death of a 36-year-old Cretan man in the port of Piraeus |url=https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/09/06/blue-horizon-crew-man-port/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Horizon: Τι θα ισχυριστούν οι κατηγορούμενοι για τη δολοφονία του Αντώνη |date=7 September 2023 |url=https://www.tanea.gr/2023/09/07/greece/blue-horizon-ti-tha-isxyristoun-oi-katigoroumenoi-gia-ti-dolofonia-tou-antoni/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Captain, Crew Face Manslaughter Charges as Man Drowns Trying to Board Ferry |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/index.php/article/captain-crew-face-manslaughter-charges-as-man-drowns-trying-to-board-ferry}}</ref>

==See also== * [[List of Greek companies]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.attica-group.com Attica Group website] * [http://www.superfast.com Superfast Ferries] * {{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/|title=Fakta om Fartyg}}

[[Category:Transport companies established in 1918]] [[Category:Companies listed on the Athens Exchange]] [[Category:Shipping companies of Greece]] [[Category:Companies based in Athens]] [[Category:Greek brands]] [[Category:Greek companies established in 1918]]