ATTICA HOLDINGS S.A. (“Attica Group”), member of Marfin Investment Group, announces the execution of a bond loan agreement with Alpha Bank of Greece and Norwegian Export Credit Insurance Organisation Eksportkreditt Norge AS, with the guarantee of the Norwegian Export Credit Guarantee Agency, for an amount of up to Euro 14.7mln. The new bond loan will be issued by a 100% subsidiary and will finance up to 70% of the total construction and acquisition cost (pre-delivery & post-delivery finance) of three highspeed AERO Catamarans, according to the respective agreement with Brødrene Aa shipyard of Norway.
Of particular importance for the financing eligibility of the project were environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria, as the intended deployment of the state-of-the-art Aero Catamarans on the routes of the Saronic islands will contribute to the reduction of the carbon footprint, as well as to the social and economic development of the local insular communities.
Furthermore, there is also announcement for the conclusion of an agreement with Piraeus Bank S.A. for the issuance of a five-year common bond loan of up to Euro 55mln for general business purposes, which will significantly expand the Group’s liquidity and will contribute to the acceleration of its investment planning and adaptation to a green and digital economy.
In the midst of adverse conditions caused by the pandemic, the above financing agreements represent a vote of confidence by Greek and international financial institutions to Attica Group’s sustainable investment and development prospects, as well as evidence of their commitment to support Greek coastal shipping, in recognistion of its crucial importance for the economic development of the islands and of the country in general.
