A working lunch took place at the Piraeus Maritime Club featuring European Union Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
The President of the Piraeus Marine Club, Paris Xanalatos, expressed gratitude to the official guests and Club Members for their warm attendance and engagement.
Commissioner Tzitzikostas actively participated in discussions aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of European shipping.
He emphasized the importance of a strategic approach to decarbonizing the shipping industry, highlighting initiatives such as retrofitting ships, the EU FUEL ETS regulations, and promoting alternative fuels. He pointed out that predictability is essential due to the significant investment costs involved.
With the global framework for achieving net zero expected to be finalized by the IMO in October 2025, he urged all governments and the EU to adopt a cohesive policy. He characterized this agreement as historic, particularly in light of the current geopolitical and economic landscape.
The Commissioner reiterated that maintaining competitiveness should be a top priority, as indicated by the Draghi report. Furthermore, he stressed the need for energy security and transforming sustainability into a competitive advantage.
New Strategy
He announced the forthcoming introduction of a new shipping strategy designed to:
- support shipyards in constructing “clean” vessels,
- foster innovation and develop “green” ports,
- create financial mechanisms,
- and advance clean fuels.
