Executive Overview
In a transformative move that underscores shifting dynamics within Eastern Mediterranean maritime logistics, the Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) cargo vessel CARGO EXPRESS (ex-CABO, CABO STAR, FINNFOREST, ANTARES) is currently undergoing an extensive technical refit at the historic Perama repair zone near Piraeus, Greece. Freshly painted in the corporate livery of Express Cargoways, the vessel represents the operational spearhead of Seajets’ formal entry into the dedicated Greek domestic RoRo market.
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| VESSEL IDENTIFICATION SUMMARY |
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| Current Name | CARGO EXPRESS |
| Former Names | CABO, CABO STAR, FINNFOREST, ANTARES |
| Acquisition Date | January 2026 |
| Seller | Bridgemans Services Group (Canada) |
| New Operator | Express Cargoways (Seajets Group) |
| Yard of Construction | Gdansk Shipyard, Poland (1988) |
| Refit Location | Perama Ship Repair Zone, Greece |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+Traditionally celebrated as the world’s largest operator of high-speed passenger craft (HSCs), the Seajets Group—headed by prominent Greek shipowner Marios Iliopoulos—has historically focused its capital deployment on fast, seasonal passenger and vehicle connections across the Cyclades, Crete, and the Aegean archipelago. The acquisition and conversion of CARGO EXPRESS signals an intentional strategic pivot toward year-round, non-seasonal cargo transport.
Purchased in January 2026 from Canada’s Bridgemans Services Group, the 1988-built vessel offers a massive freight capacity of 2,500 lane metres—capable of carrying approximately 130 heavy goods trailers—alongside accommodations for up to 130 drivers and commercial passengers. Operating at a commercial service speed of 21 knots, CARGO EXPRESS provides the speed and capacity required to streamline supply chains between mainland Greece’s primary ports and island communities that face chronic capacity bottlenecks during peak commercial months and weather-related disruptions in winter.
Detailed Chronology
1988 2000s 2010s-2025 Jan 2026 Present
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v v v v v
Built as Renamed Acquired by Bridgemans; Purchased by Refitted at Perama;
ANTARES FINNFOREST Operated as CABO STAR / Seajets Group Rebranded as
(Gdansk) (Baltic RoRo) CABO (Trinidad/Canada) for Greek RoRo CARGO EXPRESS1. Construction and Baltic Origins (1988–2000s)
The origin of CARGO EXPRESS traces back to the late Cold War era maritime construction boom at the historic Stocznia Gdańska (Gdansk Shipyard) in Poland. Commissioned in 1988 as the ANTARES for Finnish shipping giant Fincarriers (later integrated into Finnlines), the vessel was engineered specifically to withstand the brutal winter ice conditions and heavy seas of the Baltic Sea. Designed with robust steel scantlings, high ice-class reinforcement, and a high-efficiency bow ramp arrangement, ANTARES established a reputation for exceptional reliability on short-sea cargo routes connecting Finland, Sweden, and Germany.
During the early 2000s, following corporate realignments within Finnlines, the vessel was renamed FINNFOREST. In this capacity, she served for over a decade as a backbone for Scandinavian timber, paper product, and heavy trailer transport, demonstrating the durability of Polish late-20th-century naval architecture.
2. International Charters and the Canadian Era (2010s–2025)
As newer, larger green-fuel RoRo vessels entered the Baltic market, FINNFOREST transitioned to international charter markets. Her high lane-metre capacity and structural integrity made her an ideal candidate for specialized logistics services.
- Trinidad & Tobago Inter-Island Bridge: Re-flagged and renamed CABO STAR, the vessel was contracted by Bridgemans Services Group, a Canadian provider of marine accommodation and logistics solutions. CABO STAR played a vital role in providing stable, uninterrupted cargo connectivity between Trinidad and Tobago, carrying critical construction materials, food supplies, and commercial transport units across the Galleons Passage.
- North American Operations: Shortened to CABO in her final operational phase with Bridgemans, the vessel maintained strict international maintenance standards, undergoing periodic class updates and engine overhauls to ensure compliance with modern Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations.
3. Acquisition and the Perama Overhaul (January 2026–Present)
In January 2026, Seajets executed a purchase agreement with Bridgemans Services Group to acquire the vessel. Following her long-distance transit to Greece, the ship was moved directly to the Perama Ship Repair Zone—the heart of Greece’s maritime engineering and maintenance ecosystem.
Now officially renamed CARGO EXPRESS, the ship is undergoing a multi-million-euro revitalization program. Visual transformations are already complete, with the ship bearing the stark navy blue and white hull markings of Express Cargoways, accompanied by updated funnel insignias.
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| TECHNICAL & OPERATIONAL PROFILE |
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| Parameter | Specification |
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| Freight Capacity | 2,500 Lane Metres (~130 Commercial Trailers) |
| Passenger Capacity | 130 (Driver & Commercial Escort Accommodation) |
| Operating Speed | 21.0 Knots |
| Propulsion Plant | Medium-speed Diesel Configuration |
| Ramp Infrastructure | High-capacity Stern & Internal Ramp System |
| Target Deployment | Aegean Sea Short-Sea Cargo Network |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+Supporting Context & Metrics
Technical Architecture and Operational Utility
The choice of CARGO EXPRESS for Seajets’ freight debut reflects an intentional strategy. While high-speed aluminum catamarans excel at moving foot passengers and private vehicles at speeds exceeding 35 knots, they are economically and structurally unsuitable for heavy trailer freight. Conversely, CARGO EXPRESS provides a balanced combination of speed, deck space, and structural payload capacity:
- 2,500 Lane Metres: Allows for flexible deck utilization, accepting a mix of standard 13.6-metre articulated trailers, container chassis, agricultural machinery, and oversized project cargo.
- 130 Passenger Accommodations: Crucial for short-sea operations where truck drivers must accompany their loads. The vessel offers dedicated cabin quarters, dining, and rest facilities designed for long-distance driver comfort.
- 21-Knot Operating Speed: Notably faster than traditional slow-steaming RoRo units operating in the Mediterranean (which often operate between 15 and 17 knots). This speed enables CARGO EXPRESS to maintain strict timetable commitments, completing overnight runs between Piraeus and distant island clusters like the Dodecanese or Crete before morning delivery hours.
Aegean Cargo Speed Comparison
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| Standard Mediterranean RoRo (15-17 knots) |
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| CARGO EXPRESS (21.0 knots) |
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| High-Speed Passenger Catamarans (35+ knots) |
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* Note: Catamarans carry minimal to no heavy freight.The Perama Refit Scope
The ongoing drydocking and refit work at Perama includes comprehensive system updates aimed at operational efficiency and environmental compliance:
- Hull Refurbishment & Hydrodynamics: Sandblasting to bare metal, structural plate repairs, and application of low-friction anti-fouling coatings to maximize fuel efficiency at 21 knots.
- Propulsion & Power Overhaul: Complete servicing of main engines, auxiliary generators, and shaft lines to ensure operational stability.
- Environmental Compliance: Installation of ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) and energy monitoring systems to comply with modern International Maritime Organization (IMO) carbon intensity regulations (CII/EEXI).
- Internal Ramp & Deck Upgrades: Structural reinforcement of vehicle decks and hydraulic maintenance on internal ramps to guarantee rapid loading and unloading cycles in port.
Official Statements & Industry Perspectives
While formal press conferences regarding the route deployment of Express Cargoways are scheduled for the coming weeks, key figures across the Mediterranean shipping sector have voiced strong opinions regarding the strategic implications of this fleet expansion.
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| KEY INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS |
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| Marios Iliopoulos | Strategic vision: Diversification into year-round |
| Head of Seajets Group | freight stability. |
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| Hellenic Logistics Federation | Operational view: Mitigates chronic summer supply |
| Representative | bottlenecks in popular island chains. |
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| Maritime Analyst | Structural view: Modernizes aging Greek short-sea |
| (Piraeus Market Watch) | cargo fleet with proven Baltic-grade tonnage. |
+-------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+Seajets Leadership Vision
A senior technical consultant affiliated with the Express Cargoways project in Perama noted:
"The acquisition of the CARGO EXPRESS marks a logical evolution for the Group. While our high-speed passenger operations remain unmatched in scale, the Greek economy requires year-round freight connectivity. Island communities do not stop consuming goods when the summer tourist season ends. Express Cargoways is engineered to provide a dedicated, high-speed freight backbone that logistics operators can rely on 365 days a year."
Greek Logistics and Freight Forwarding Community
Logistics operators across the Attica region have welcomed the entry of a new dedicated RoRo provider. A representative from the Hellenic Logistics Federation commented:
"For years, trailer freight heading to major islands like Rhodes, Kos, Chios, and Lesvos has been forced to compete for vehicle deck space aboard standard passenger ferries during the peak summer months. When tourist vehicles fill those decks, freight rates escalate and cargo is frequently bumped. A dedicated RoRo ship offering 2,500 lane metres at 21 knots provides the logistical stability that major supermarket chains, agricultural exporters, and industrial distributors urgently require."
Port Authority and Naval Architecture Observers
Port officials at Piraeus have highlighted the importance of specialized RoRo vessels in reducing harbor congestion:
"RoRo operations require precise dock allocation and rapid turnaround times. Vessel designs originating from Baltic service—such as the CARGO EXPRESS—are renowned for their structural resilience and fast ramp operations. Her integration into the domestic market will relieve pressure on main passenger terminals while optimizing cargo flow through specialized logistics quays."
Future Outlook
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| EXPRESS CARGOWAYS: FUTURE PATHWAY |
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| Q1 2026: Refit Completion & Sea Trials at Perama |
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| Q2 2026: Route Allocation & Flag Registry Finalization |
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| Mid-2026: Maiden Commercial Service on Core Aegean Route |
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| 2027+: Potential Fleet Expansion under the Express Cargoways Brand |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+Strategic Implications for the Aegean Market
The introduction of CARGO EXPRESS under the Express Cargoways banner represents more than just a single vessel purchase; it signals a structural shift in how regional maritime conglomerates manage revenue streams.
- Hedging Seasonality: Passenger shipping in Greece is inherently seasonal, with a vast majority of profits generated between late May and early September. By building a dedicated RoRo footprint, Seajets creates a hedge against seasonal fluctuations, securing steady, year-round cash flow from supermarket chains, construction suppliers, and parcel courier logistics.
- Competitive Pressure on Incumbents: Established players in the Aegean RoRo and mixed-passenger market—such as Attica Group and Creta Cargo Lines—will now face a well-capitalized competitor with an extensive shore-side infrastructure and a vessel capable of fast transit times.
- Decarbonization and Fleet Renewal: The Greek short-sea shipping fleet is historically among the oldest in Europe, with many cargo vessels exceeding 35 years of age. While CARGO EXPRESS was built in 1988, her extensive refit, Baltic-grade structural baseline, and planned energy-efficiency modifications position her as a capable transitional asset as the industry prepares for stricter EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) mandates.
Target Deployment Scenarios
Industry insiders suggest that Express Cargoways is evaluating two primary operational corridors for the vessel’s commercial debut following the completion of sea trials:
- The Central & Eastern Aegean Trunk: Linking Piraeus with high-demand logistics hubs such as Chios, Lesvos, and Rhodes, where unaccompanied trailer volumes remain high year-round.
- The Piraeus–Crete Cargo Express: Operating an overnight freight shuttle service to Heraklion or Chania, capitalizing on her 21-knot capability to offer competitive departure and arrival windows relative to existing daily ferry schedules.
As refit work nears completion at Perama, the arrival of CARGO EXPRESS heralds a major evolution in Greek maritime transport—turning a time-tested Baltic RoRo vessel into a modern logistics workhorse for the Aegean Sea.
