Covid-19: Greece to Allocate €15m for Coastal Shipping

The Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy on Tuesday announced that 15 million euros will be given to support of Greece’s ferry transport services to the country’s islands due to the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on the country’s coastal shipping sector.

Following contacts with representatives of the Greek shipping industry, the ministry decided to maintain 36 routes for the country’s ferry network for as long as travel restrictions remain in place.

All ferries carrying out the routes will be subsidized with the announced funds.

Maritime Affairs Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis said that meeting the needs of Greece’s islanders and islands is a top priority for the government.

“With additional funding, the connection of the islands with mainland Greece is fully ensured,” Plakiotakis said.

Moreover, the ministry is currently working on a special regime for additional support to the coastal shipping sector through European funds.

The first measures announced to support the Greek coastal shipping sector can be found here.