Epirotiki Line
 | |
| Industry | Passenger and merchant shipping |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1850 |
| Founder | Anastassios Potamianos |
| Headquarters | Piraeus, Greece |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Services | Cruises and cargo transportation |
Epirotiki was a shipping company that began in 1850. Epirotiki Line operated cruise vessels, cargo and tanker vessels.
Foundation
Anastassios Potamianos began his first shipping venture in 1850 transporting cargo and passengers along the River Danube between the island of Cephalonia and the city of Brăila. Assisting Anastassios was his nephew, Giorgos Potamianos. When Anastassios Potamianos died in 1902 Giorgos undertook the management of the company and took the emblem of the Byzantine Cross as the company's trademark, and changed the company name to Epirotiki. In 1916 Giorgos moved to the new centre of shipping of Piraeus, acquiring his first steam powered ship. By 1926 the company owned 15 passenger vessels ranging between 800 to 1500 GRT.
World War II
During World War II, Piraeus was destroyed by German air attacks on the city. Only one vessel was saved, the G.Potamianos, which was appropriated by the Allies. At the conclusion of the war Epirotiki began its revival with the acquisition of three ships, ushering in its modern era.
Modern era
Initially Epirotiki focused entirely on the cruise ship market and started round trip cruises operating in the Aegean Sea, Greek Islands and Eastern Mediterranean. Acquisitions of vessels such as Semiramis, Pegasus (I) and Hermes helped in the company's expansion. In the 1960s, Epirotiki continued to expand its operation, adding a number of Caribbean destinations. Vessels acquired in this period included the Argonaut, Jason, Orpheus, Apollon XI, and Poseidon among others.
The cruise industry grew quickly in the 1970s, and Epirotiki became the largest cruise ship company in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean with additions to its fleet such as the Jupiter, Oceanos, World Renaissance, Odysseus, Mistral, Pegasus (II) and Triton. During the 1980s and after the company diversified into dry cargo carriers and crude oil tankers under separate management.
In the marine tourism sector Epirotiki solidified its position through partnerships and mergers. In 1993 Epirotiki made a partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines, purchasing ships from Carnival in exchange for shares in Epirotiki. The company acquired the vessels Pallas Athena, Olympic and Apollon (II).
Around the same time, however, the company faced difficulties, as three of its cruise ships (Jupiter, Pegasus, and Oceanos) sank between 1988 and 1991.[1]
In 1995 Epirotiki merged its operations with Sun Line, creating a new company named Royal Olympic Cruise Lines. Initially maintaining its two brand names, Royal Olympic Cruise Lines began planning a public offering of the company in 1997. The company restructured its holdings, creating a new entity, Royal Olympia Cruise Lines, and listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange (ROCLF) in 1998.
Epirotiki remains at its traditional address and never changed hands.
Fleet
A list of operating vessels in the fleet:
Cruise ship operations
- Apollon (II) - laid down as the Empress of Canada in 1959
- Athinai - ?
- Odysseus - laid down as the Princesa Isabel in 1961
- Olympic - laid down as the Empress of Britain in 1956
- Olympic Countess - laid down as the Cunard Countess in 1974
- Olympic Voyager - laid down in 2000
- Orpheus - laid down as the Munster (IV) in 1948
- Stella Maris II - laid down as the Bremerhaven in 1960
- Stella Oceanis - laid down as the Aphrodite in 1965
- Stella Solaris - laid down as the Cambodge in 1953
- Triton - laid down as the Cunard Adventurer in 1971
- World Renaissance - laid down as the Renaissance in 1966
References
- ↑ Christopher S. Wren (7 August 1991). "Owner of Lost Greek Cruise Ship Has History of Maritime Mishaps". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-08-04.