The inaugural conference of the Hellenic Union of Tugboat, Salvage, Anti-Pollution, and Offshore Support Vessel Owners took place at the Stone Warehouse of PPA S.A. in Piraeus.
This event underscored the urgency of modernizing the tugboat fleet and emphasized the critical importance of safety and marine environmental protection.
The conference was initiated by Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vasilis Kikilias, who stressed that port safety is a paramount concern for the ministry.
He also announced plans to revise the safety regulations governing towing operations and ports, aimed at enhancing safety measures and preventing accidents.
Kikilias remarked, “The synergy between tug operations, anti-pollution measures, and search-and-rescue efforts creates a framework that bolsters the safety of our seas.”
Addressing coastal shipping, he mentioned that there has been an uptick in inspections, with a commitment to intensify these measures throughout the summer to ensure quality services for passengers and tourists.
Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among the Association, the French Bureau Veritas, and the shipbuilding group Onex, for the construction of 20 new tugboats, aimed at enhancing the Greek fleet.
This partnership showcases the strong ties between Greek shipping and the international shipbuilding sector, reaffirming Greece’s commitment to remain at the forefront of maritime innovation and development.
