By George Georgiou

 

The Greek shipping sector is expanding year by year, now reaching the highest level of at least the last decade, both in the number of shipping offices and ship management companies.The figures of the Ministry of Maritime and Island Policy available to "Naftemporiki" show that the offices of shipping companies in Greece amounted to 1,593 at the end of 2023, based on Law 27/75, increased by 4% on an annual basis. The number of offices has "jumped" by almost 20% compared to 2013. This includes companies active in ship management, chartering and freight brokerage, among others.Examining only ship management companies, the figures reveal significant growth. In particular, 854 such companies were registered in Greece, based on Law 27/75, at the end of last year.The previous high was last year with 833 ship management companies (+2.5% year-on-year), while since 2013 the numbers have soared by almost 7%.

 

Making the best use of EU funds for the "green" transition of shipping

 

"The green transition of shipping is a very large program with great costs for the entire industry and anyone who believes that it can be done painlessly and without significant funds is at least naive", Minister of Maritime and Island Policy, Christos Stylianidis, said at the Delphi Economic Forum.

 

As the minister pointed out, efforts are being made in the first phase in order to secure EU funds to support Greek shipping.

 

Stylianidis highlighted the leading role played by Greek shipping at the European and global level, the utilization of European resources for the "green" transition of shipping, the upgrading of port infrastructures, the strengthening and promotion of the maritime profession as well as the contribution and the role of the Coast Guard – Hellenic Coast Guard for the protection of human life at sea and the defense of national borders.

 

"We must definitely maintain the leading role of Greek shipping"

 

"Greek shipping plays a leading role worldwide and we must absolutely maintain this role, on which European shipping is also based. This is the only way for Greece to maintain its own competitiveness," the Minister underlined.