Ms. Melina Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) and Mr. Charles Michel, President Emeritus of the European Council (2019-2024), former Prime Minister of Belgium (2014-2019), Minister of State, at the UGS’s special event “Shipping Anchors the EU’s Future” during the “European Shipping Summit 2025”.
Ms. Melina Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, “Shipping is the cornerstone of the European Union’s economic and geopolitical stability.”
The Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) played a prominent role at the “European Shipping Summit 2025” in Brussels, advancing the interests of European shipping through high-level advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and thought leadership. The UGS President, Ms. Melina Travlos delivered a keynote address at the Summit’s opening, met with senior EU officials to discuss regulatory priorities, and led a flagship event highlighting shipping’s vital contribution to Europe’s economic security and global competitiveness. Through its coordinated presence, UGS reinforced its position as a leading voice for European maritime policy.
UGS Event ‘Shipping Anchors the EU’s Future’
As part of the European Shipping Summit 2025 in Brussels, the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) highlighted its leading role in the European shipping sector by successfully organising the special event ‘Shipping Anchors the EU’s Future’ on Wednesday, 19 March, at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels.
The event emphasised the vital role of shipping in Europe’s security and prosperity and was attended by the Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Mr. Vassilis Kikilias, and former Minister Mr. Christos Stylianidis, along with European officials, heads of organisations, industry and economic stakeholders, prominent international and European figures, as well as representatives of national, European, and international media.
Speakers included the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Greece to the EU, Mr. Ioannis Vrailas; the UGS President, Ms. Melina Travlos; and Mr. Charles Michel—President Emeritus of the European Council (2019-2024), former Prime Minister of Belgium (2014-2019), Minister of State —who delivered the keynote speech.
In his address, Mr. Charles Michel underscored shipping’s strategic importance for Europe’s future, noting:
“Mario Draghi made it clear in his report: shipping is a key driver of Europe’s competitiveness and economic strength, ensuring the seamless movement of goods that sustain industries and trade.
The UGS President Ms. Melina Travlos, together with Board Members Mr. Dimitris Fafalios, Mr. Nikolas Veniamis, Ms. Marily Frangista, Ms. Johanna Procopiou, Mr. Vassilis Papagiannopoulos, and the UGS Director Ms. Katerina Peppa, met with Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport & Tourism.
“We must ensure fair competition, including in maritime trade, safeguard critical transport corridors, and reduce vulnerabilities.
“A resilient and sovereign Europe is one that maintains stable supply chains, reliable transport networks, and routes.
“We do not want Europe to become a museum of the world. We do not want Europe to be merely a level playing field for the competition of others. That is why we know what must be done. The Draghi report is on the table.
“The future of Europe is in our hands. Let us take control of our destiny—together.”
A panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Kait Bolongaro, Managing Editor, Europe at MLex, featured Mr. Faig Abbasov, Shipping Director, Transport & Environment, Mr. Dimitris Fafalios, Secretary of the UGS, and Ms. Polona Gregorin, Head of Unit for Mobility, DG CLIMA, European Commission. They exchanged views on the challenges and prospects of European shipping, highlighting the need to develop sustainable and competitive policies.
UGS President’s Speech at the Summit’s Opening
On Thursday, 20 March, at the opening of the “European Shipping Summit 2025,” the UGS President, Ms. Melina Travlos, delivered a keynote address emphasising that shipping is Europe’s heartbeat. She also stressed that maintaining shipping’s leadership requires swift, unified action. Specifically, she said:
“At a pivotal moment for European shipping—and at a defining moment for Europe itself—it is imperative that the institutions recognise shipping as the cornerstone of the EU’s economic sovereignty and geopolitical stability.
“It is necessary to establish and implement policies that ensure the safeguarding of European shipping’s leading global position, acknowledging that competitiveness and sustainability are not opposing forces but parallel paths to be pursued together.”
Significant Meetings with European Officials
During the “European Shipping Summit 2025”, the Union of Greek Shipowners held several key meetings with European officials in Brussels.
The UGS President, Ms. Melina Travlos, together with Board Members Mr. Dimitris Fafalios, Mr. Nikolas Veniamis, Ms. Marily Frangista, Ms. Johanna Procopiou, Mr. Vassilis Papagiannopoulos, and the UGS Director, Ms. Katerina Peppa, met with Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport & Tourism, and Mr. Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee.
In these meetings, the critical role of shipping in ensuring food and energy security and stability, as well as in protecting the smooth functioning of Europe’s supply chains, was highlighted. Additionally, they underlined shipping’s contribution to maintaining Europe’s competitiveness.
During discussions with Commissioner Tzitzikostas, the UGS stressed the need for a balanced and effective global regulatory framework that reflects shipping’s international character, reaffirming its commitment to productive collaboration with policymakers.
Through its comprehensive activities and meaningful meetings, the Union of Greek Shipowners once again confirmed its leadership role in European developments, consistently, decisively, and with foresight promoting the interests of Greek and European shipping at the highest level.
