“The strength of Greece-US trade, energy and maritime relations (i.e. shipyards, ports, LNG and energy) can make our country an energy hub for America,” said the Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, in an interview he gave to SKAI and journalist Faye Mavragani.
The Minister emphasized that, as long as the relations between the two countries are strong, “the US can transport the LNG it exports through Greece, either through the northern axis from Alexandroupolis – which is one of our aspirations – or to be stored in Revithoussa, or in new FSRUs that will be created. This means new infrastructure, ports, jobs, development and through energy, security. Energy security, because our country is not in the easiest neighborhood.”
Regarding the upcoming vote at the IMO (in the context of the Net-Zero Framework proposal) on regulating emissions in shipping, the Minister of Shipping stated that this is a major issue of national interest. “This agreement has problems, ambiguities and unrealistic goals,” he emphasized. As he pointed out, the goal of all countries on the planet is to reduce carbon emissions to zero. He clarified, however, that it is important “that this be done in a realistic time frame and not ‘pushed to today’, at a time when there are still no new green fuels – and if there are, they cover only 0.5% of the needs of the global fleet.”
In the same context, he underlined that “already, within our European family, we have expressed strong reservations about this vote. Nowadays, we must defend ourselves: to be an energy hub, to have energy security and therefore, a complex defense – both with our allies and with America. And from this, new jobs, wealth and a heavy industry, which we need very much, to stand next to tourism.”
Regarding the issue of interconnecting the islands of the barren lines, Mr. Kikilias stated that the Ministry announced a closed tender of 168 million euros for 4 years, underlining that “our islands, which are within our maritime borders, are not a disadvantage. On the contrary, our government considers them to be a geostrategic comparative advantage for the country and that is why we have a duty to serve our islanders and ensure their movement to other islands and the mainland.”
Finally, regarding coastal shipping, the Minister pointed out that over 1,000 extraordinary safety checks were carried out on ships of all types (conventional, high-speed, ferry boats, tourist, etc.) throughout the summer. Also, as he noted, “the Greek government is providing 300 million plus 700 million in loans from the European Investment Bank to renew our country’s coastal shipping fleet. And something else very important is the new development sector. I also urge entrepreneurs to come and seize the opportunity and invest in this sector, which – along with ocean-going shipping, which is the main force and makes us proud – needs to be supported with a plan and investments.”
