Kostas Economou, General Secretary of the Association of Banking and Financial Executives in Hellenic Shipping, addressed shipping financing at the 9th Shipping Conference hosted by “Naftemporiki.”
When asked whether Greek shipping secures funding more easily from domestic or international sources, Economou stated, “Greek banks, along with Cypriot banks—often treated as a collective entity—have consistently supported Greek shipping, even during challenging times.”
“While major German, European, and American companies faced collapses, Greek banks continued their support, which is a testament to resilience despite the crisis,” he noted.
“Currently, out of the 53.5 billion euros available to Greek shipping, 35% has been provided by Greek banks,” he added.
Commenting on the importance of international outreach, he said, “We have prioritized and supported international engagement. Two years ago, we capitalized on an opportunity from China, which welcomed us to establish an office and delegation there.”
“We are now pursuing similar initiatives with the United States and exploring partnerships with a corresponding European group,” he concluded.
