Kastellorizo, the charming yet remote island with barely enough boats showing up to make a splash, is getting an extra ferry route. The Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy took action after the Mayor of Megisti (yes, they have a mayor) practically begged them in a letter. Two ferry trips per week weren’t cutting it. So, on March 14, 2025, a new temporary agreement for one additional weekly trip from Piraeus to Kastellorizo was signed. Finally, residents might not feel like they’re stuck in a Wi-Fi-less Bermuda Triangle.
Here’s the deal in plain terms:
- The route extends the existing Piraeus-Rhodes ferry line.
- It starts on March 19, 2025, and ends on June 18, 2025, unless the ongoing bidding process drags on.
- If no one’s interested in continuing the Piraeus service under current conditions, offers for local routes (not from Piraeus) with one or two weekly trips will be considered.
The Backstory: What Sparked This Plan?
The catalyst? The Mayor’s February 12, 2025, plea for help: extending the route served by “Blue Star Patmos,” which wrapped up its duties in mid-February. The Coastal Transport Council (S.A.S.) jumped in, green-lighting a fresh service request with minor tweaks to the previous terms. Translation: same story, slightly different paperwork.
Think of it as a stopgap measure to save everyone’s sanity until March 20, 2025, when the ministry finally tackles the official bidding competition for the route.
What’s Already in Place for Kastellorizo?
For those losing count, Kastellorizo already gets two weekly ferry services linking it to Rhodes. These trips are part of the Piraeus-Rhodes connection and are serviced by ships over 100 meters long. Impressive, right? Well, until you realize two measly ferries a week still leave tourists and locals twiddling their thumbs.
Will This Change Anything?
It might—at least for now. This extra trip could make travel just inconvenient instead of borderline impossible. Plus, if nobody shows interest in taking the Piraeus route after this stopgap period, the ministry is ready to entertain local operators with shorter routes. At least someone’s thinking ahead (sort of).
For now, travellers and locals alike can thank (or blame) bureaucracy for the temporary resurgence of ferry schedules. Stay tuned—because that bidding process might get messier than the Aegean during a storm.
