Greece’s Shipping Ministry Prepares for Green Transition
Greek Shipping Minister Christos Stylianidis announced this week a series of actions including the creation of a maritime cluster that will ensure the green transition of Greece ports and ships.
The ministry’s action plan focuses on four key areas, said Stylianidis:
- the renewal of the coastal shipping fleet with new ‘greener’ ships, to be implemented through a public – private partnership and budgeted at 360 million euros;
- the utilization of RRF funds in shipping;
- the energy transformation of Greek ports focusing on electrification options;
- and the creation of a “maritime cluster” that will include services and operations across the shipping industry chain including shipyards, shipbuilding and mechanical equipment and repair companies.
Underlining the importance of the blue economy, Stylianidis said the OECD estimates it will reach a value of 1.5 trillion dollars projected to double by 2030.
“The industry’s transition to the era of decarbonization, the use of new zero-carbon fuels, as well as digitalization, introduce a new dynamic to this blue economy and Greece can play a leading role. The basic condition is cooperation. Cross-sectoral cooperation with all agencies involved: shipowners, shipyards, fuel producers, surveyors, ports, research departments, and of course politicians, we are all in the same boat. It’s the only way we will succeed,” he said.