Olympic Champion, Anek’s flagship passenger ferry, has been held in the port of Patras following legal action from the Grimaldi Group.
According to reports, the 32,694-gt Olympic Champion (built 2000) remains idle due to unpaid charter fees of around € 2.3m
It is believed that the latest development is related to older charter agreements for Grimaldi-controlled vessels hired by Anek.
The Olympic Champion, serving the Chania route last summer, is now deployed on the Italy route.
The scheduled Friday departure from Patras was cancelled.
Neither Anek nor Grimaldi have made a statement yer.
According to vessel tracking website marinetraffic.com, the Olympic Champion remains anchored at the port of Patras.
It is believed that Anek hopes for a cash injection from the Bank of Pireaus, a 25% shareholder in Anek Lines, that will enable the troubled Cretan ferry operator to save Olympic Champion and improve the company’s cash flow.
Grimaldi Lines owns and operates Minoan Lines in Greece.
