Consolidation in Greece’s salvage and towage market has received a boost after Vernicos Scafi, a growing Greek-Italian joint venture, absorbed smaller outfit Karapiperis.

Vernicos Scafi entered into an agreement to jointly acquire all of Karapiperis’s fleet of six vessels, market sources said.

According to a press statement it issued on Friday, Vernicos Scafi held on to four of these ships — three harbour tugs and one ASD Damen-built FiFi terminal tug.