The Greek shipbuilding industry seems to be ready to write a new chapter in its history after the completion of the merger of the three main shipbuilding divisions, Elefsina, Scaramanga and Syros, and the stimulation of other divisions such as Salamina, Perama and Chalkis. The focus is on the role it can play in the transition to a new, greener generation of ships and the parallel growth of shipbuilding activities. In the next few weeks, probably after the first elections, the decision of the competent court is expected to validate the agreement on the consolidation of the Elefsina shipyard with the strategic investor ONEKS shipyards and financing in the amount of about $ 100 million from the US state development bank. DFC. Last month, the transfer of both parts of the Scaramangas Shipyards to shipowner Giorgos Prokopi was completed and the gradual modernization of the facilities, the strengthening of fire safety and fire suppression systems and the re-operation of a large tank that had remained inactive for about 20 years.

Neorio of Syros, which has been cleaned since 2019 and operated under the supervision of ONEX, has already repaired more than 400 ships, according to the company, i.e. one ship every three and a half days.

In Perama, according to data published during a visit by Kyriakos Mitsotakis a few days ago, over the past four years, 70 new ships and vessels with a total capacity of more than 120,000 gross tons have been built, and more than 8,500 ships have been raised, serviced and repaired. There, Perama’s 24 shipyards are home to 520 specialty companies, while also employing 280 specialty support companies that employ an average of 17,000 people annually. In fact, 80% of the turnover is the inflow of foreign currency from foreign ship-owning companies.

Over the past four years, 70 new ships and boats have been built in Perama with a total displacement of more than 120,000 gross tons.

In Salamis, in the subdivision “Salami Shipyards” of the interests of G. Koros, the hull blocks of the French frigates Belharra are being built, i.e. parts of warships not only of Greece, but also of France. The Port Authority of Piraeus has also seen an increase in the number of moored vessels over the past few years. This is partly due to an increase in the number of ships approaching Piraeus after COSCO Shipping became active at the container terminal berths.

It is becoming clear that Greek shipbuilding is making a comeback and is trying to claim an important role in the Mediterranean. A role that is not only focused on equipment programs, which by their very nature can only bring short-term benefits to shipyards. But what is that role, and how can we ensure the long-term viability of shipyards so that the industry does not revert to the obsolescence it entered two decades ago? According to Dimitris V. Lyridis, Professor of the Polytechnic School of Marine Engineering, “attracting ships intended for conversion related to alternative fuels, as well as energy-saving technologies, design and “mass” production of standardized new ships or short-range ships – ferries that will achieve economies of scale and reduce production costs” are some of the areas in which Greek shipyards can play an important role. In addition, he explains, another perspective is the construction of floating wind farm platforms for floating wind or photovoltaic power plants. In addition, “emphasis on ships with a sustainable overall life cycle, including recycling, should be a priority for units that are compatible with existing and possible future environmental specifications and legislation.” According to Dimitris Lyridis, “the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies such as robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT ), augmented reality (Industrial Augmented Reality), 3D printing technology (additive manufacturing methods) and artificial intelligence (AI), will improve its efficiency.”

His statements are to some extent reminiscent of the statements of G. Procopius during the ceremony of handing over Skaramgas. In the long term, the new shipyard owner Scaramangas has set himself the goal of working on cutting-edge technology, adding, but without going into detail, that he wants to build state-of-the-art powered ships there. on electricity or even without a crew. “I’m not interested in gluing sheets and we can’t compete with the big shipyards in Asia,” he said. The shipowner, specifying that it is possible that the first customers of the shipyards under the new management will be the ships of the shipping company he is interested in, also announced the creation of a natural gas power plant, as well as carbon capture and green methanol production.

“Now that the shipbuilding industry is reviving, this is an opportunity to also adopt a new strategic and operational model that does not even need to be invented, but copied and adapted from other sectors: research and innovation, as well as training in new technologies and practices from educational institutions. – research institutions and their closer cooperation with the shipping and shipbuilding industry, as well as incentives (to the extent permitted by the European State Aid Regulation) through a targeted state strategy are the forces linking the three main pillars of a successful industrial (industrial cluster) and create the necessary synergy effect to ensure the sustainability of, perhaps, the Greek industry itself,” emphasizes Professor of the Polytechnic Institute Dimitris Liridis.