To the Minister of Merchant Shipping and Island Policy
Mr. Vass. Kikilias
Subject: barren Paxos-Antipaxos line, winter Paxos-Corfu connection
Paxos, 9 November 2025
 
Dear Minister,
 
We would like to bring to your attention the serious problem that has arisen (out of nowhere) in maritime transport between Paxos and the islet of Antipaxos, as well as in the connection between Paxos and Corfu during the winter months. 
 
At the end of December 2025, the extension of the operation of the subsidized barren Paxos-Antipaxos line, which has been served with admirable consistency and reliability over the last three years by the ship “ANGHIALOS”, expires. Also, since October, the connection between Paxos and Corfu, the administrative center of the island, has been carried out in a problematic and not at all safe manner, with small or even unsuitable ships, which will soon be withdrawn for winter maintenance. And while a new four-year subsidy had already been decided for the line no. 77 "Antipaxoi-Paxoi-Corfu" and vice versa, with the amount of 2.4 million euros for the four-year period 2026-2030 (see ECHO TON PAXON, July-August 2025 issue), in an incomprehensible and hasty action, the Coastal Transport Council canceled its initial decision and allocated the amount to a Dodecanese line. The reason? The sudden expression of interest by private entrepreneur Athan. Koulouris, representative of “Kerkyra Sealines”, who, in an unprecedented action, “wedged” the process with a letter to you on 24/9/2025, stating that he would launch a ship of his own interests on the specific line. Result? From the moment interest was expressed for free routing, C.T.C. was “obliged”, according to the legislation, to transfer the subsidy amount elsewhere. Which it did, with remarkable speed. Thus leaving the operation of the barren Paxos-Antipaxos and Paxos-Corfu lines during the winter months at the mercy of business interests that have no concern for how, if and at what cost the people of Paxos will travel outside the tourist season to take care of their health, to conduct their affairs, or to cultivate their land and visit their home.
 
Because we, the residents of Paxos, have seen and experienced the project firsthand, we predict with great certainty that the businessman in question will not ultimately launch his own ship on the barren line, citing various difficulties, real or not. Thus, the transport project will remain uncovered and the residents will be excluded, for a "grudge", as they say in Corfu, of some business interests that do not want other players on the lines of the Northern Ionian even if they do not have a substantial financial benefit from undertaking their transport project. Because perhaps this is how they show who is the boss in the region. By exposing, with their actions, also the Corfiot Deputy Minister of Merchant Shipping & Island Policy, Mr. Stef. Ghikas, who had taken on the case of the subsidy and had solemnly announced it (see ECHO TON PAXON, September 2025 issue).
 
Does Mr. Minister believe that they should be appeased? And leave the 2,500 permanent residents of Paxos and Antipaxos (as well as the numerous employees, businessmen and visitors) blocked from transportation due to business games? Or perhaps, seek to find a sustainable solution to restore the "hubris" committed against them? 
 
We ask and hope for your actions.
 
The residents of Paxos-Antipaxos