A remarkable achievement, once just a distant aspiration, has been realized by the ONEX group at the Elefsis and Neorion shipyards in Syros.
In a brief timeframe, Panos Xenokostas and his team successfully “revived” both facilities, accomplishing repairs on 700 vessels. The milestone ship, the Greek-flagged “Neptune Odyssey,” belongs to Melina Travlou, who serves as the president of the Greek Shipowners’ Association and the Neptune Group.
Panos Xenokostas, president and CEO of ONEX, highlighted in his address that the completion of the 700th repair, five years after the project’s inception in Syros and now Elefsis, signifies not just a numerical milestone but also underscores Greece’s potential to reclaim a leading role in shipbuilding and repair.
He specifically acknowledged the support of the Greek shipping community, stating, “Their leadership inspires us. Without their trust, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Looking Ahead
Xenokostas also shared his vision for the future, indicating that the shipyards will extend beyond repairs. “ONEX aims to evolve the shipyards into centers for energy transition, national security, defense, maritime support, and innovation,” he remarked.
He mentioned plans for building various types of vessels, such as tugboats and ferries, along with ongoing investments in projects like transitioning from sandblasting to waterblasting, as well as implementing water recycling and desalination systems.
In conclusion, Xenokostas stated that “the repair of the ‘Neptune Odyssey’ signifies more than a statistic. It reaffirms that Greek shipyards can emerge as vital contributors to development, national strategy, and global competitiveness.”
