Cabotage Still An Issue For Cruise Companies

The Association of Passenger Ship Owners recently requested from the tourism ministry a solution for the upgrading of legislation to allow foreign-flag cruise ships to use Greece as a homeport.

The association based its request on information from a past survey entitled “Contribution of cruise tourism to the economies of Europe,” prepared by G.P. Wild (International) Unlimited.

The report reflected trends in European cruises and the impact different policies have on the economies of the member states of the ports visited by cruise ships.

The study estimated losses of some 430 million euros and 6,500 jobs due to distortions that are created by Greece’s cabotage law.

The regional sales director of Royal Caribbean International, Helen Beck, in a recent visit to Greece, said that the Greek market is looked upon as a strong supporter of the cruise industry.

“However, the cabotage situation, which strictly forbids non-European flag ships to use Greek harbors as homeports, does not help matters,” she stressed.

According to Andreas Sylianopoulos, executive vice president of Navigator Travel, “Greece is losing serious revenue due to cabotage.

“The situation, however, was close to being solved, but due to government reshuffles and talk of early elections, it has now come to a halt.”