START LINE FOR REVIVAL OF SHIPBUILDING AND RENEWAL OF SHORTSEA FLEET

Newsfront, Friday 14 October 2016

Planning a ship newbuilding programme involving at least 19 vessels, Greece’s shortsea shipping sector is urging the Athens government to implement its National Strategic Plan to re-boot the country’s shipbuilding industry. The owners want the government to guarantee the shipyards of Skaramanga, Elefsina, Syros and Perama can operate without industrial problems and provide refund guarantees, as do all European shipyards, and be competitive. Meeting with minister of State, Alekos Flabouraris; Shipping and Island Policy minister, Thodoris Dritsas; Economy, Development and Tourism, deputy minister, Theodora Tzakri; and secretary of Ports and Port Policy, Christos Lambridis, October 10, the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association (HSSA) described these basic, but essential requirements, as «the start line for the revival of the Greek shipbuilding industry and the renewal of the shortsea fleet». At the meeting, Charalampos Simantonis, HSSA president, accompanied by Panayotis Zacharioudakis, ceo Europa Venture, the SPV set up by HSSA for the implementation of its Europa Ship Plan (ESP) programme, emphasised the shortsea fleet has to be renewed and adapted to new environmental regulations. The owners noted Greek yards have to be competitive with those of Portugal and Romania which are now attracting the business. The government has given its backing to the ESP, which seeks to reduce air pollutants from ships, while revitalising the European shipbuilding and ship equipment manufacturing industry. The shipowners say the state must ensure the smooth operation of the country’s shipyards. Implementation of the ESP will not only win new constructions, but, as the HSSA points out, will also bring repairs and upgrades to the Greek shipyards, in light of environmental regulations coming in force over the next few years regarding low sulphur content fuels and ballast water treatment. The HSSA says: «Business in Greek yards will also benefit the local equipment manufacturers, activating a whole new economic activity, with multiple benefits for both regional and national economies». Flabouraris told the HSSA the state will proceed with the necessary actions through planned activities, while minister Dritsas said «regenerating the shipyard industry is a national priority, which in conjunction with implementation of the HSSA initiative will signal an effective and sustainable relaunch of shiprepair»