The deteriorating situation in Libya has presented just such an opportunity. Anek’s Greek flag ferries Lato and Elyros have been serving as a floating hotel for Libya's embattled parliament, members of which have fled the country's capital Tripoli to the small eastern port town of Tobruk.
The “accommodation” charter is for 40-days from 15 August, with options to extend in 15-day lots. First the 277-cabin, 25,460gt Lato, awaiting repairs, sailed from Greece on one engine and docked in Tobruk, the last Libyan port before the Egyptian border, on 15 August. It was replaced 3 September by the more modern Elyros, 32,623gt. Both the Lato, which has returned to Greece, and the Elyros were fully crewed according to Greek legislation and took out full insurance. Up to 400 people are thought to be on board the Elyros.
Denis Vernardakis, md of Masters Shipping of Piraeus which acted as owners' broker, would not comment on the financial aspect of the charter, other than say "it was a good deal", noting the Vardinoyiannis-led company was prepared to take the charter "in August at the high point of the more lucrative summer season".
For the time being, Tobruk port is home to what remains of Libya's sovereign power. On one side of the bay a hotel conference hall acts as chamber to the house of representatives, and on the other, Elyros, surrounded by a collection of grey naval patrol boats, dominates the skyline.
The ro-ro usually plies its trade carrying cars and passengers between Piraeus and Crete, but the charter is in line with an Anek policy of exploiting opportunities. The Athens Stock Exchange-listed company charters vessels to clients outside Greece, a policy it sees as enhancing financial results and liquidity.
Vardinoyiannis has done profitable business with Libya in the past. The chartering of its vessels to lift evacuees out of war torn country in 2011 led to a dramatic improvement in first quarter 2011 results for the Anek Group.