Rafnar Iceland is transferring its majority ownership in Rafnar Hellas. Production in Greece will continue under new ownership and a new emerging brand, while Rafnar moves forward with new production facilities in Norway.
In 2005, Össur Kristinsson set out to build a hull that would not punish the people on it. The result was Rafnar, a hull design and boats now used by professional and private operators in some of the world’s harshest conditions, from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic.
Since 2019, Greece has been a significant part of that story. A large part of Rafnar vessels have been built there, in a country with one of the world’s strongest maritime traditions.
This next step is one both sides have agreed on together. The ownership transfer will be completed in the coming weeks. The Greek operation will continue under the leadership and partial ownership of long-time partners Pantelis Stoubis and Vasileios Vasileiou, who founded Rafnar Hellas in 2019 and helped shape it into what it is today.
We are deeply grateful to everyone in the yard. Many of the boats carrying the Rafnar name exist because of the teams´ skill, hard work and care. We fully support what comes next for the team in Greece.
Rafnar will always have a strong connection to Greece. Greek mariners have taken our boats to sea around the world, and the Greek team has played a major role in building the company and the reputation behind the name and the brand. That does not end with a change in ownership, it simply reaches new oceans.
For owners and dealers, the practical side remains straightforward. The yard in Greece will complete every Rafnar vessel currently in production and ongoing open orders, including the recently announced 62-foot model, and will continue to honor all warranties on boats already delivered. Spare parts and service support will continue as normal, with the same team and the same level of care customers have come to expect.
For Rafnar Iceland, this move creates room for the next stage of the company’s development. New facilities in Norway will become the home for many future Rafnar builds and support the company’s continued growth.
Twenty years on, Rafnar is stronger than ever, and the goal remains the same: to build boats that can handle whatever conditions the sea puts in front of them.
Björn Ársæll Pétursson, Rafnar Iceland
“The team in Greece has been our partner since 2019, and what we built together is something we will always be proud of. Stepping back from Rafnar Hellas is not easy, and we are not pretending it is. But this is a decision we reached together and one we believe is right for both sides. We leave with real friendships and real respect for the people there, and we know the team will continue doing excellent work.”
Padelis Stoubis, Managing Director, Rafnar Hellas
“Working with Rafnar has shaped everything we have done here in Greece. We are proud of every boat we have built and every customer we have worked with, beyond all sea boundaries. We will complete every order currently in production and continue to stand behind every boat already on the water. At the same time, we are moving forward with confidence, carrying that experience into a new brand with its own vision, momentum and ambitions for the future.”
Rafnar Iceland and Rafnar Hellas would like to thank all dealers, partners, and customers who have supported the companies over the years. The relationships built during that time remain important and will continue into the future
