By Antonis Tsimplakis

The importance of tugboats for the safety and smooth operation of European ports, as well as the need to boost investments for the renewal of the fleet with green technologies and emergency equipment, dominated a letter sent by the Association of Tugs, Salvage, Antipollution and OSVs to the European Commission's public consultation on the new European Ports Strategy.

The Association underlined that tugboats constitute critical infrastructure for the protection of people, ships, installations and the environment, while requesting an explicit provision in the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 for targeted support through European and national financial tools.

In preparing the European Ports Strategy, the Union underlined the critical role of tugboats in safeguarding port operations, protecting ships docked in European ports, ensuring the safety of crews and passengers, preserving the marine environment and securing port facilities—all of which contribute to the overall competitiveness of European ports.

The new European Ports Strategy

Pavlos Xiradakis, President of the Association, stated: "With our contribution to the European Commission, we seek to ensure that the new European Ports Strategy will recognize and support the crucial role of tugs in the smooth operation of the maritime transport chain and in ensuring the safety and security of European ports. Tugs are also a key factor in the military supply chain and mobility, highlighting their added value for Europe's resilience and strategic autonomy."

"I believe that it is time for the European Commission to consider establishing a framework of basic rules for safe towing at a pan-European level," he said.

"It is also a fact that the modernisation of tugs amid green transition will contribute in many ways to ensuring safe towing services. We expect the European Commission to take the appropriate decisions to strengthen the tugboat sector through its inclusion in the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034 as well as other financial instruments," he added.

Green investments in coastal shipping

George Xiradakis, president of the Association of Banking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping and founder of XRTC Business Consultants, proposed creating a specialized organization to promote green investments in coastal shipping, including new shipbuilding.

Regarding the new government initiative for investments of over 1 billion euros through European programs, aimed at the renewal and green modernization of the fleet, Xiradakis emphasized that "the new opportunity may also be the last one."

As he noted, the market expects seriousness and stability from both the European and Greek governments, while expressing disappointment over the review of development programs in the last decade.

He added that "the fleet has become so old that the state has no room for further delays – nor has any coastal shipping company, if it wants to remain in the market."

The process

The financing for the greening of the coastal shipping fleet will be provided by European funds and the European Investment Bank, with public support reaching 300 million euros from the Modernization Fund – a European financial instrument that is funded by the revenues of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and is renewed annually.

It is noted that the European Union has decided to return to the shipping sector part of the revenue collected from the implementation of the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) in shipping, which came into effect in 2024.

As the money from the Modernization Fund will be gradually collected until 2032, interim financing will be provided through the European Investment Bank in the form of guarantees, which will complement the public contribution and offer low-interest loans of up to 700 million euros.

The combination of grants and loans will allow the immediate announcement of the program, mobilizing private and European funds to modernize the fleet and give a boost to the country's shipbuilding industry.

Commenting on the issue to Naftemporiki, Dionysis Theodoratos, president of the Passenger Shipping Association, said that this particular initiative is in the right direction, but at the moment the sector is waiting for specialization of what has been announced.

In coastal shipping, the actions that will be included in the program aim to reduce CO2 emissions and increase the energy efficiency of ships, enhancing the sustainability of maritime transport.

The interventions are divided into three categories: new shipbuilding, energy upgrading of existing ships and major conversions.

Adjustments within the IMO framework for the energy transition of shipping

The need for improved adjustments to the implementation framework of the IMO Net-Zero Framework was emphasized by the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, during his meeting with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, in London, in the presence of the Greek Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Yannis Tsaousis.

Kikilias pointed out that the lack of green fuels requires more realistic timetables for the energy transition of shipping, while he underlined the importance of fair treatment of transitional fuels – such as LNG – as well as the smart use of the reward mechanism. The aim, he said, is to support the adaptation not only of bulk/tramp shipping, but also of small and medium-sized enterprises, which constitute the backbone of the sector.

The minister emphasized that Greece—renowned for its rich naval tradition and commanding 20% of the global fleet as the world's leading maritime power, remains committed to global measures that will ensure a level playing field.

Finally, he stressed that the IMO and its member states must focus on resolving the outstanding issues in the coming months, so that the measures that will enter into force in 2028 are realistic and applicable to the entire shipping industry.