Greece is to scrap more than 100 ageing ferries from business following a series of recent shipping disasters in which a total of 80 people perished. The government announced the decision to withdraw the ships by the year 2006, after a cabinet meeting held in the capital Athens. The government also agreed to bring forward the liberalisation of the shipping industry to 2002.

A government spokesman said foreign companies would now be able to bid for domestic ferry services two years earlier than planned. "The government has a steady target of improving commercial shipping policy - people's safety, services and the creation of a modern coastal shipping industry," Mr Reppas told reporters. "Within November the government will submit a bill to liberalise sea transport. We aim the liberalisation to begin in 2002," he said. The age limit of ships would also be gradually lowered to 30 years by 2006 and a committee set up to oversee quality control for ships. The government also plans to upgrade seamen's education and boost rescue programmes.