Greek shipowner on visit to Auckland

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32567, 29 March 1971, Page 16

Greek shipowner on visit to Auckland

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND Mar. 29. The Greek shipping magnate, Mr A. J. Chandris, flew into Auckland yesterday, 24 hours before his new passenger liner Britaiiis berths for the first time at Auckland. The Britonis is the latest addition to the Chandris fleet of seven passenger and cruise ships, five of which ply between Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

“We spent $3.5m purchasing the liner last year and another ssm converting and refitting it in Greece,” Mr Chandris said. The Britonis is on its

maiden voyage and Mr Chandris was in Melbourne and Sydney to see it berth. It arrives in Auckland tomorrow.

The 24,000-ton ship carries 1600 passengers and will join her sister ships on the Europe-Australia-New Zealand route.

“With the Britonis, we will have 22 sailings a year from and to Europe, with 39,350 berths each way,” said Mr Chandris. "This gives us the largest number of sailings’and berths of any company on the same route.”

The 47-year-old magnate spent this afternoon viewing his 450-acre property at Mahurangi West, on the east coast, north of Auckland. The property is being farmed at present, but it is planned to eventually develop it as a tourist resort.