Greek Ministry Unveils Key Initiatives to Strengthen Coastal Shipping and Safety

The Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy on Wednesday announced six key initiatives aimed at modernizing coastal shipping, upgrading safety standards, and restructuring both the ministry and the Hellenic Coast Guard.

During a press conference, Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy Christos Stylianidis highlighted that improving safety in maritime transport remains a top priority for both the ministry and the government.

He outlined a comprehensive strategy that will involve over 2 billion euros in investments over the next few years, focusing on coastal shipping, ports, and the development of a maritime cluster.

Six key initiatives

– Passenger rights web portal: A new online platform named “Passenger Rights” will provide coastal shipping passengers with direct and accessible information about their rights.

– Integrated slots system for coastal shipping: This innovative system aims to streamline ferry operations through the digitalization and automation of processes, improving efficiency at ports.

– Green technology for island ferries: In collaboration with both the public and private sectors, the ministry plans to introduce green vessels to ferry routes serving Greece’s island communities. The long-term goal is to replace the entire coastal fleet with eco-friendly ferries.

– Master plan for fleet replacement: This initiative focuses on reducing the carbon footprint of Greece’s coastal shipping fleet by upgrading vessels to meet international and European environmental standards, thereby boosting sector competitiveness.

– Maritime cluster development: A new initiative will foster collaboration among maritime businesses and entities to enhance the competitiveness of coastal shipping, including the promotion of green technologies. This will support the shipbuilding, repair, and upgrading sectors, encouraging sustainable innovation.

– Ministry and coast guard restructuring: The ministry aims to overhaul its operations and the Greek Coast Guard by 2030, introducing digital, streamlined services for all stakeholders in the maritime sector.

Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy.

Safety and modernization remain key priorities

Minister Stylianidis stressed that safety, particularly in coastal shipping, is a “non-negotiable” aspect of the ministry’s agenda, with no tolerance for delays or bureaucratic inefficiencies. He emphasized the need for modernization to better serve both sailors and passengers.

“For Greek shipping to thrive, it is crucial that all stakeholders collaborate. Together, with an open mind and commitment to reform, we can transform Greek shipping for the better,” he said.

Securing funding for maritime investments

According to the minister, the funding for these initiatives will be sourced from various channels, including the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, the National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA), and the European Emissions Trading Program.

Specifically, an investment of between 80 and 360 million euros will be allocated to the development of green ships for routes serving barren islands. Moreover, 300 million euros will be dedicated to upgrading port infrastructure. The creation of maritime clusters will receive an initial investment of 80 million euros, which could increase to 160 million euros. Additionally, more than 1 billion euros will be invested in the replacement of Greece’s entire coastal shipping fleet.