Friday, February 25, 2011

Greek ferries head to Libya

Greek-controlled passenger ferries have been pressed into service to lift thousands of Chinese, Greek and Brazilian citizens from strife-torn Libya.

The 1,560-lane-metre Anek Lines vessels Olympic Champion (built 2000) and Hellenic Spirit (built 2001) were expected to arrive in Crete this afternoon with some 15,000 persons aboard. The other two ships are understood to be Anek’s 2,500-passenger El. Venizelos (built 1992) and Minoan Lines' 2,182-passenger ship Knossos Palace (built 2000). However, some source say that Anek’s 1,800-passenger ships Kriti I and Kriti II (both built 1979) have also been pressed into service.

The proximity of Greece to Libya makes it an ideal centre for the evacuation operations.

Source: Tradewinds

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