Greece, UK Strengthen Maritime Cooperation with New Agreement

Photo source: Maritime Ministry

Greece and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in London on Wednesday to enhance their cooperation on commercial shipping matters.

The MoU was signed by Greek Minister for Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Christos Stylianides, and British Minister for Transport, Mike Kane MP, during the former’s recent visit to London.

During their meeting, the two ministers highlighted the strong bilateral collaboration and excellent relations between Greece and the UK in maritime affairs. They also discussed their shared commitment to further strengthening this cooperation, both on a bilateral basis and within the framework of international organizations.

“The new memorandum establishes a foundation for expanding collaboration between Greece and the United Kingdom on maritime issues,” said Minister Stylianides. “This marks a new beginning, as it is the first collaboration agreement signed following the Strategic Collaboration Agreement we signed in 2021.”

Transportation Minister Mike Kane MP with Maritime Minister Christos Stylianides. Photo source: Maritime Ministry

The signed memorandum aims to enhance bilateral cooperation on various aspects of the maritime sector, including sea transport, the sustainable development of shipping, green shipping initiatives, and the development of human resources in the sector. It covers key areas such as maritime safety, training, environmental protection, and the overall facilitation of the maritime industry.

In practice, the memorandum will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, the sharing of best practices, the organization of conferences, and the promotion of training programs. It also seeks to encourage private sector participation in addressing challenges facing the global maritime sector.

Maritime Minister Christos Stylianides and IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez. Photo source: Maritime Ministry

During his visit to London, Minister Stylianides also met with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez. They discussed various challenges related to the maritime industry, including the appeal of maritime professions, the geopolitical developments impacting international shipping, and the IMO’s strategies for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the sector.

Minister Stylianides invited both Secretary-General Dominguez and Minister Kane to the upcoming “Shaping the Future of Shipping” conference, which will be held in Athens on June 11, 2025. The conference is being organized by the Greek Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the International Chamber of Shipping, and the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS).

According to Stylianides, the meeting with the IMO Secretary-General was “productive” that further highlighted Greece’s “prominent role and recognition” in international shipping matters.

As part of his visit to London, the Greek minister also toured NATO’s Allied Maritime Command, where he was briefed on the command’s operations, particularly the activities of the NATO Shipping Centre, which focuses on enhancing safety at sea.