HISTORY
For more than 50 years now, ANEK LINES is sailing towards the future. The company’s vision is the ongoing improvement of its fleet and services. These are the company’s milestones:
1967 – Incorporation of ANEK LINES
10 April 1967 Chania. Thousands of Cretans, tradesmen, businessmen, pensioners, farmers, respond to the invitation by the Economists Association of Chania...
1970 - Ro-Pax “KYDON”
9 September 1970Ro-Pax “KYDON” sails into the port of Souda and ΑΝΕΚ wins over everyone’s trust. 
1973 - Ro-Pax CANDIA and RETHIMNO
ANEK is growing dynamically and now serves the route Herakleion -Piraeus with Ro-Pax CANDIA and RETHIMNO. 
1978 Ro-Pax CRETE
The Company acquires Ro-Pax CRETE. ANEK is now servicing its routes on daily basis, connecting the two main ports of Crete with Mainland Greece. 
1987 Ro-Pax APTERA
ΑΝΕΚ expands its fleet with a state-of-the-art vessel, Ro-Pax APTERA, serving the route from Chania to Piraeus. This is the first Greek ship with an escalator and a car deck that can accommodate 70 trucks and 150 cars. 
1989 Ro-Pax LISSOS and LATO
Ro-Pax LISSOS and LATO are dynamically launched into the Adriatic Sea, opening new perspectives in the Patras-Ancona route. 
1992 Ro-Pax El. VENIZELOS and TALOS
Ro-Pax El. VENIZELOS is introduced to the Northern Italy routes. This is ANEK’s flagship, the largest and most luxurious ship in the Mediterranean. Ro-Pax TALOS is joining her in the same route. 
1997Ro-Pax KRITI I & KRITI II
KRITI I and KRITI II are introduced in Patras to Ancona route 
1998 - Ro-Pax SOFOKLIS VENIZELOS & IPO in Athens Stock Exchange
ΑΝΕΚ sets a new course with the acquisition of new ships and the initial public offering (IPO) for its stocks in Athens Stock Exchange. Ro-Pax SOFOKLIS VENIZELOS is introduced in the Northern Italy service. 
1999 - Ro-Pax PREVELI and ARKADI
Ro-Pax PREVELI and ARKADI are introduced in ANEK’s fleet following the merger with RETHYMNIAKI. 
2000 - Ro-Pax LEFKA ORI and HSF OLYMPIC CHAMPION
Ro-Pax LEFKA ORI is introduced in the Northern Italy service, and the newly-built HSF OLYMPIC CHAMPION in Patras – Ancona service. 
2001 - HSF HELLENIC SPIRIT
The second newly build HSF HELLENIC SPIRIT is introduced in the Northern Italy service. 
2005 – Venice route and new Administrative Services facilities
The Northern Italy service grows further with the new Patras to Venice route. 
2006 –ADAC award
ADAC, the German Automobile Club, awards HSF OLYMPIC CHAMPION, with the first European award for Best Ro-Pax Vessel, thus verifying that the ship meets the international safety standards as to technical equipment and fully trained crew. 
2007 – New state-of-the-art company building in Piraeus
Opening of the company’s new state-of-the-art office building in Piraeus, that houses the Commercial Operations Division, the Technical Operations Division and the Central Reservations Department in Piraeus. 
2008 - Ro-Pax PREVELI, LISSOS and ELYROS
In April, Ro-Pax PREVELI is introduced in Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Ios-Santorini route. 
2009 - ShipPax Award for Ferry Conversion by Lloyd’s List
ΑΝΕΚ wins the “ShipPax Award for Ferry Conversion for Ro-Pax ELIROS. 
2010 - Conde Nast Traveller Reader’s Choice Award
ΑΝΕΚ is honoured as “Top Ferry Company of 2009 for Domestic and International Routes”... 
2011 - ANEK LINES - ATTICA Group Joint Venture.
Launch of ANEK LINES - ATTICA Group Joint Venture with combined service on the Adriatic (Patras – Igoumenitsa - Ancona) and Piraeus to Heraklion service. The company transfers more than 13,000 Chinese citizens from the Libyan war zone to Crete. ANEK receives the “China-Greece Friendship Award” by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Greece and the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. 
2012 - ANEK Smart Bonus Program
Launch of ANEK Smart Bonus Program, an innovative passenger loyalty scheme, offering discounts, free tickets and exclusive privileges to its Members. 
2014 – We Do Local award
The company receives the “We Do Local” award for Ro-Pax CRETE Ι and ELIROS. 
2015 - Ro-Pax KYDON
Ro-Pax KYDON is fully renovated and servicing routes to and from Crete. 
2016 - European Business Awards 2016/17
Another important distinction for ΑΝΕΚ, selected as the “National Champion” in 2016/17 European Business Awards among 33,000 companies from 34 European countries. 
2017 - Financial Results Recovery Prize.
ANEK wins 3rd Prize for Financial Results Recovery organized by Ethos Media S.A. and HRIMA investments and economics magazine.