It is necessary to maintain the competitiveness of the Greek shipping industry, stressed the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners. Melina Travlowduring the annual regular general meeting of the members of the Association.

According to the figures he cited, Greek shipping, with 5,500 ships, accounts for 21% of world tonnage and 60% of European tonnage. Internationally, it controls 25% of the bulk carrier fleet, 31% of the tanker fleet, 23% of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) fleet, 16% of the chemical and oil products fleet, and 8% of container traffic. At the European level, it controls 80% of bulk carriers, 80% of gas carriers and 70% of tankers.

Speaking at the General Assembly of the Union, Melina Traulu recalled that the maritime foreign exchange received by our country in 2022 amounted to 20 billion euros, adding that hundreds of thousands of jobs have been created through shipowners’ investments in both shipping and other industries. national economy.economy..

M. Travlow also acknowledged the importance of the fact that the state supported the settlement of outstanding issues that arose regarding the institutional framework for the operation of Greek shipping with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition, explaining that the whole process was completed with the updating of the new guarantor, through the adoption of an additional act, which he signed with the prime minister and the finance minister. We are talking about the annual financial contribution of a sailor to the state treasury.

Melina Travlow promotes realistic measures to reduce the environmental impact of the ocean.

Referring to the environmental issues that continue to dominate the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and European institutions, she indicated that the EEA is following international consultations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while working to reach an agreement to revise the IMO strategy and to select realistic medium-term measures . These positions were presented by Melina Travlow yesterday Thursday during the shipping conference in Athens.

At the same time, he said that the Union of Shipowners supports the proposal of the International Maritime Chamber for the adoption of a global economic measure in the IMO, which will be based on a system of contributions per ton of carbon dioxide emissions. “The positive fact is that at the last meeting of the competent IMO committee, a clear preference was recorded in this direction,” he said characteristically.

Referring to the introduction of a carbon intensity index from 1 January to reduce emissions of gaseous pollutants from maritime shipping, she pointed to the need to review the system, given that compliance with the index would present weaknesses.

Speaking at the general meeting, he recalled that the Union had already created a special working group on the board of directors to demonstrate the shortcomings of the measure, which is ultimately unfair to all ships. “We are collecting and will evaluate data so that we can formulate and promote proposals that can improve regulation and mitigate its effects,” he said. At the European level, he stressed that much of the EEE’s activities were devoted to negotiating the inclusion of shipping in the EU’s ETS.

Travlow stated that following careful action by the EEE in coordination with the European Community Ship Owners’ Associations (ECSA), important positions were taken in the final agreement, with great success in recognizing the catalytic role of the commercial ship operator as well as its responsibility for compliance with the EU ETS in accordance with the polluter pays principle.