Focusing on innovation and investing on a passenger-oriented approach, ANEK LINES has brought a quality evolution in maritime transport, contributing to the development of the coastal shipping industry and establishing new routes in the Aegean and the Adriatic Sea.

The company was established on April 10^th, 1967, under the name “Anonimi Naftiliaki Etairia Kritis SA” and trade name “ANEK LINES”. Its first shareholders were everyday men from Crete who moved frequently between Crete and Mainland Greece and wanted to travel with large and safe ships.

ANEK began operating as a passenger line in September 1970 when the company’s first ship, the unforgettable “KYDON” set sail from Chania, Crete to Piraeus. Since then, the company has engaged in an impressive course.

ANEK LINES large fleet consists of 9 privately-owned state-of-the-art vessels, of Greek ship register, that are certified as per National Safety and Quality Systems such as ISM & ISPS Systems, ΙSO & HACCP. The company is managed by a 15-member Board and employs approximately 900 people as crew and commercial administrative staff. The company is registered in Chania, Crete and operates in privately-owned, state-of-the-art offices that also house a spacious conference centre of 500 persons capacity.

Since December 1998, the time of the initial public offering (IPO) for the company’s stocks in the Athens Stock Exchange, ANEK LINES has established an upward course by continuously investing on its own development, improving its fleet and upgrading its services. Making full use of all opportunities and challenges in the shipping industry, the company has managed to expand its commercial network, increase its destinations and launch new routes. Through insightful marketing strategies, the company is constantly increasing the value of its total capacity and its large network of sale points and agents throughout Greece and Europe.

At the same time, through its targeted policies, ANEK LINES has managed to maintain its position among the top shipping companies in Europe and in Greece. In this framework, the company abides by the International Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 and the International Convention on Standards of Training (STCW) of 1995, on crew quality (qualification, diplomas, experience etc.).

Today, ΑΝΕΚ LINES belongs to the league of state-of-the-art maritime companies with a European presence and high standing.

Through planning and scheduling, stability and power, strong focus on values and assurance towards its shareholders, ANEK LINES has established its position as the leading power in coastal shipping for more than 50 years now. The company is a key driver for economic, tourism, social and cultural development in Crete.

Corporate responsibility, transparency and social solidarity are among the core values that fuel the company’s development.

Focusing on the human factor, ΑΝΕΚ LINES remains always close to society, maintaining and further developing its sponsoring activities year by year. As a travel and financial sponsor, ΑΝΕΚ supports the most important cultural, educational, scientific, athletic and artistic events and initiatives. The company offers its assistance to foundations, social and charity institutions as well as citizens in need. ΑΝΕΚ LINES provides an ongoing contribution towards the effort of preserving and promoting Crete’s cultural heritage and historical features and, at the same time, enhancing the country’s tourism campaign.

In December 2008, in the framework of the “5th Greek Shipping Awards” hosted by Lloyd’s List, ΑΝΕΚ LINES was awarded as the “Best Passenger Line for the Year 2008».

From the company’s beginning and the sailing into port of the first ship, the legendary KYDON, to the elaborate strategic decisions of the current top Management, ΑΝΕΚ LINES operates based on planning, scheduling, responsibility, stability, credibility, strong focus on values and assurance towards its shareholders. The company is constantly improving and further developing its fleet, investing on qualified personnel and top-level services. ANEK LINES main focus is to serve the interest of its passengers whose ongoing trust is the wind that pushes the company at full force towards the future.