During the 9th Naftemporiki Shipping Conference, Charalampos Simantonis, President of the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association, emphasized the vital role of shortsea shipping in the economies of Greece and Europe.
He stated, “The EU is re-centering its strategy on shipping and calls for decisive action.”
In this new European context, the sector is essential: “It plays a critical role for both Greek and European economies, facilitating the green transition while exclusively transporting our fuels and linking the islands to the mainland,” he explained.
Simantonis stressed the importance of conveying a strong message advocating for green initiatives in shipping:
“We need to communicate the urgent need to support the sustainable green transition in shipping, which, despite its prominence, is often sidelined by legislation imposing unrealistic deadlines,” he remarked.
Lastly, regarding Greece’s global shipping presence, he highlighted that “Greek shipping holds a significant role on the world stage—as shown by Ms. Travlos’ address at the United Nations—providing the Greek government with the opportunity to leverage its global leadership and enhance the country’s overall standing.”
