The Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy and Member of Parliament for Corfu of the New Democracy party, Stefanos Ghikas, attended and spoke at the central annual event of the Special Party Organization (SPO) for Shipping of the New Democracy party, which took place yesterday in Athens.
At the event, which was dedicated to the Ionian Islands, the actions of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, which have been launched in the Ionian Islands, were presented to the attending Ministers and Members of Parliament of the Party, to the representatives of the Hellenic Shipping Industry as well as to the party executives in the field.
Mr. Gikas congratulated the New Democracy Shipping Committee for the excellent work it is doing, producing proposals and positions on the issues of Shipping and Insularity.
In his speech, Mr. Gikas referred to the rich historical and cultural contribution of the Ionian Islands to Greece, while specializing in the initiatives of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, he initially referred to the restructuring of the islands’ maritime transport system, with the creation of a stable, permanent and reliable network.
He noted that: “in 2019, 90 million euros were allocated for the barren lines, while the invitation that will be issued immediately amounts to approximately 168 million euros, an increase that shows the substantial interest of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy and our Minister Vasilis Kikilias for our islanders.”
Specifically for the Ionian Islands, he noted that: “the subsidized lines in 2025 amounted to 6.8 million euros, while in the new call that will be issued in the immediate future, the subsidies amount to 8.2 million euros.”
Regarding the upgrading and modernization of port infrastructure, he emphasized the securing of funding for the construction of the port of Pessada in Kefalonia, the improvement of port infrastructure in the port of Frikoni in Ithaca, the expansion and improvement of the port of Mathraki, the completion of the port in Avlakia, Othon, the improvement of infrastructure and facilities of the port of Agios Stefanos, Avliotes, and the regeneration of the coastal zone of Argostoli in Kefalonia.
Mr. Gikas made special reference to the dynamics of the cruise industry, emphasizing: “I would like to mention the successful example of Corfu and the Corfu Port Authority (CPA) with the excellent results it has achieved, ranking 10th in Europe and 19th worldwide as the best cruise port, with a 10% increase in arrivals compared to 2024.”
Regarding the development of maritime tourism, he referred to the projects being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, specifically in the Lefkada marina, the Agia Pelagia marina in Kefalonia, the Gouvia marina and the Megalon Skafon marina in Corfu, for which he informed that: “the contract is expected to be ratified by Parliament in early October 2025.”
He also referred to the projects that have been launched or are being launched to address water scarcity in the Ionian Islands, projects for which 7.7 million euros have been allocated by the General Secretariat for Aegean and Island Policy (GSAIP).
He stressed that: “throughout the Greek islands, the projects to address water scarcity that have been launched exceed 350.”
Finally, he referred to the emphasis and support given by the GNAINP to culture, artistic creation and the promotion of sites of archaeological and cultural interest.
Concluding his speech, Mr. Gikas announced that the GNAI, after the 5 Offices it operates on the same number of Aegean islands, will open an Office in Corfu in 2026, which will coordinate the actions of the GNAI for the Ionian Islands.
The event was also attended by the Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias, the First Vice President of the Parliament Yiannis Plakiotakis, the Deputy Minister of Interior Vassilis Spanakis, the Secretaries General of the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy Vangelis Kyriazopoulos and Manolis Koutoulakis, Secretaries General of Ministries, Presidents of Organizations and many other executives of the Greek Shipping industry.
