IMMEDIATE COMMENCEMENT OF SAILINGS CONNECTING THE PORT OF TANGER MED (MOROCCO) TO THE PORT OF ALGECIRAS (SPAIN)
BMCE Bank Of Africa Group, a leading Moroccan and pan-African banking group, and Attica Holdings S.A. (“Attica Group”), a subsidiary of Marfin Investment Group, the largest investment group in Southeast Europe, are pleased to announce an agreement to operate scheduled ferry services from Morocco to Europe, through the newly-established Moroccan company AFRICA MOROCCO LINKS (“AML”).
BMCE Bank Of Africa Group, with the support of the Moroccan Government, represented by its Ministry of Equipment, Transportation & Logistics and following a selection process, involving many potential ferry operator candidates, entrusted Attica Group to act as its Strategic Partner to contribute to AML its longstanding experience, know-how and operational excellence, for which Attica Group is internationally renowned.
Attica Group will hold a 49% participation in the new company, while 51% will be held by a group of Moroccan shareholders, led by BMCE Bank Of Africa Group.
Mr. Spiros Paschalis, CEO of Attica Group, stated upon the signing of the agreement: “We are delighted to collaborate with BMCE Bank Of Africa Group, one of the leading banking groups across Africa, in the newly-established operator AML, which we are confident will become very soon the leading ferry player linking Morocco and Africa to Europe. Attica Group is honored by the trust vested in our Group by BMCE Bank Of Africa. On our side, we have no doubt that our extensive experience in the ferry industry, combined with the top-quality service that we offer to our customers, will lead to the upgrade of existing services in the market and to the development of Moroccan maritime personnel, able to perform at the highest possible standards, achieving the operational excellence, both BMCE Bank Of Africa and Attica Group seek to provide. Finally, we are confident that today’s agreement will mark a new promising start and strengthen the ties between our two countries, Morocco and Greece”.
The annual traffic volumes between Morocco and Europe are estimated at around 4 million passengers, 1 million private vehicles and 260,000 freight units, with great potential for further growth.
The implementation of the agreement is immediate, with the inauguration on June 17th, 2016 of the Tanger Med (Morocco) - Algeciras (Spain) route with the vessel DIAGORAS, followed a few days later by a second vessel. Additionally, a number of preparatory initiatives are currently underway for the launch of additional routes between Morocco and Europe.
The Board of Directors
Kallithea, 16th June, 2016
BMCE Bank of Africa
Founded in 1959, BMCE Bank of Africa is the largest universal and multi-branded Moroccan banking group. Present in 31 countries including 20 in Africa, the group perpetuates itself through a continental strategy while maintaining an international vocation. Capitalising on its ownership by group Financecom, regional leader involved in diverse business sectors with high-growth potential, BMCE Bank of Africa is today the 3rd largest Moroccan banking institution with over 12500 professionals across its different subsidiaries.
ATTICA HOLDINGS S.A.
Attica Holdings S.A. (Attica Group or Attica) is the mother company of the brand names Superfast Ferries and Blue Star Ferries. The Attica Group fleet consists of 13 modern and technologically advanced vessels of an average age of 14 years old. Attica’s vessels serve more than 40 destinations in the Greek domestic market (Cyclades, Dodecanese, North-East Aegean and Crete) and on the international routes between Greece and Italy, Attica is listed on Athens Stock Exchange (ASE:ATTICA).
Marfin Investment Group Holdings S.A.
Marfin Investment Group Holdings S.A (MIG) is an international investment holding company based in Greece and present in the region of Southeast Europe (SEE). Its portfolio includes leading companies in sectors across the SEE region, grouped into Transportation & Shipping such as Attica Group, Food & Dairy such as Vivartia, Healthcare such as YGEIA, IT such as Singular Logic, Real Estate such as Robne Kuce Beograd (RKB) and Tourism & Leisure such as Sunce Bluesun and Hilton Cyprus.