Greece Takes Steps to Boost Appeal of Greek Flag, Says Maritime Minister

Greece’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy is simplifying and digitizing procedures to attract more vessels to the country’s shipping register, according to Greek Minister Christos Stylianidis.

Speaking at the “A New Productive Model – Greece 2030” financial forum in Athens, Stylianidis outlined the ministry’s efforts to make the Greek flag more appealing to international shipping companies. He highlighted the ongoing initiative to digitize key maritime processes, starting with the shipping register and followed by the crew list register.

“The first step is the digitalization of all procedures,” Stylianidis explained. “This will begin with the shipping register, followed by the crew list register. Our goal is to simplify and digitize these processes, with completion expected within the next two to three years.”

Stylianidis also addressed the modern challenges facing the maritime industry, including the need for policies that support the sector’s green transition. He stressed that negotiations with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are underway to ensure that international regulations reflect the unique needs of European and Greek shipping industries.

“We must develop a common European policy that ensures international regulations account for both European and Greek shipping industries,” he stated.

Shipping Minister Christos Stylianides. Photo source: Shipping Ministry

The minister further discussed the importance of attracting young people to the maritime sector and enhancing maritime education and training. He emphasized that offering incentives for younger generations to pursue maritime professions is essential for sustaining Greece’s leadership in global shipping.

“Greek shipping is synonymous with Greek seamen, and Greek seamanship is the backbone of our industry,” he remarked.

On the topic of safety, Minister Stylianidis presented several initiatives aimed at upgrading port infrastructure, particularly in relation to the Aegean master plan. These include establishing port time slots and modernizing the aging coastal shipping fleet as part of the country’s green transition. These projects are financed through Greece’s National Strategic Reference Framework and the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Organized on December 2-3 by Oikonomiko Tahydromo media at the Athens Small Stock Exchange, the financial forum ‘A New Production Model – Greece 2030’ opens a dialogue by inviting the State, economic entities, and top business executives to present their proposals and concerns. Now in its fourth year, the forum hosts leading figures from politics, as well as prominent personalities from the domestic and international economic and business sectors.