Blue Star Naxos hits the water

Ferry company Strintzis Lines yesterday launched the Blue Star Naxos, one of two vessels constructed by South Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. With a capacity of 1,500 passengers and 210 cars, it will service the Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Santorini route. Daewoo Shipbuilding is currently building another vessel, Blue Star Paros, to be delivered in early May. Strintzis Lines on Wednesday said its fleet of new vessels made a significant contribution to a 118-percent jump in 2001 consolidated pretax profits to 3.9 million euros. Strintzis took delivery of three new ships last year for the Cyclades.