- Tender of €668 million for subsidized ferry routes 2025–2029
- Contracts shift from annual to four-year duration
- Annual subsidy rises 13%, from €148m to €167m
- Focus on reliability, greener vessels, and fleet renewal
Four Years Instead of One
The Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy has put out a €668 million tender for ferry routes over the next four years. Until now, subsidies were handed out annually — one contract, one season, one headache. The new public service contracts will run from November 1, 2025, to October 31, 2029, giving operators predictability and financiers something solid to take to the bank.
The ministry says this change will guarantee more reliable connections for islanders and more visibility for shipping lenders who must fund fleet upgrades. In plain terms: stopgap deals are out, long-term commitments are in.
Bigger Subsidies, Greener Ships
The numbers also rise. Annual subsidies climb from €148 million to €167 million — a 13 percent increase blamed on soaring fuel costs. With more money on the table, the state wants operators to bring new vessels into play during the four-year period. These ships, in theory, should be cleaner, more energy efficient, and friendlier to the environment.
The official line is that this supports fleet renewal, sustainable development, and quality service for islanders. Whether the result is quieter, greener ferries or simply the same old ships with shinier brochures will be seen when the first contracts start sailing.
