Greek Shipping Minister Vassilis Kiklikias pledges improved ferry service and Coast Guard hires for Kalymnos

Greek Shipping Minister Vassilis Kiklikias visited the island of Kalymnos and announced a series of measures to strengthen its maritime links. He said the government will support the local ferry operator ANE and introduce four‑year tenders for unprofitable routes to ensure stable, year‑round service for residents and tourism operators.

Kiklikias also highlighted the strategic importance of Kalymnos, noting the deployment of the fast patrol boat Rafnar and plans to station a larger vessel on the island. He confirmed the approval of 500 new Coast Guard posts, with recruitment via ASEP and a target of an additional 500 officers by the end of 2026 to cover retirements and new duties such as marine‑park patrol, subsea‑cable protection and underwater surveillance. Modern technologies like drones, satellite imaging and open‑source data will be used to monitor the area.