Helmepa Declares Ships are Environmentally Friendly

The Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association chose World Maritime Day (27/9/07) to announce that “ships remain the safest and most environmentally friendly means of travel as recent statistics show activity on land is responsible for eighty percent of sea pollution whereas maritime activity is responsible for only ten percent, having seen a two percent decrease since 1990.”

Helmepa is the joint initiative of Greek seafarers and ship owners who declared in 1982, in Piraeus, that they voluntarily undertake the responsibility to eliminate ship generated marine pollution and enhance safety at sea.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) focused on the environment during this year’s World Maritime Day celebrations and fully supported Helmepa’s additional claim that “despite the rapid increase in cargo and passenger sea traffic in the past twenty years, the IMO has succeeded in its efforts to improve its environmental responsibilities as well as increase safety.”