The importance of shortsea shipping for the European Union was highlighted by Charalambos Simantonis, President of the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association (EENMA), during his address at Shipping Route İstanbul 2024, organised by the Turkish Association of Coastal Shipping Operators and Managers (KOSDER).
The event, as noted, once again provided an opportunity to discuss the major challenges currently facing the maritime industry.
Mr. Simantonis underlined that shortsea shipping serves both intra-European trade and trade between Europe and its neighbouring regions. It facilitates economic development by transporting goods and passengers and represents an important source of economic activity, generating employment and revenue for thousands of people across the maritime value chain — from shipyards to vessels at sea.
He further noted that over the past decade shortsea shipping has experienced significant growth within the European Union, currently accounting for around 60% of European maritime traffic, while particular growth has been observed in regions such as the Eastern Mediterranean.
Shortsea shipping is especially beneficial for countries with extensive coastlines and island nations, where land transport options are limited. Within the complexity of European trade networks, shortsea shipping acts as a critical link, connecting regional areas with central markets and playing a key role in regional economic development.
In the context of climate change and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, shortsea shipping also offers a tangible solution for lowering environmental impacts.
However, he stressed that it is crucial to ensure a smooth green transition. The EU’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transport includes directives and regulations that directly affect the maritime sector. Continuous adaptation and compliance by shipping stakeholders are therefore required in order to avoid disruptions to the transport of passengers and goods, while safeguarding the social and economic development of local communities served by maritime routes.
Mr. Simantonis also announced that, in response to the growing challenges facing the sector, EENMA will assume the presidency of the European Shortsea Network, the European body under which the national Shortsea Promotion Centres (SPCs) operate.
Concluding his remarks, he noted that Shipping Route İstanbul 2024 provided an excellent opportunity to highlight the strategic ties and geographical proximity between Greece and Turkey, which can facilitate the green transition of the maritime sector.
“Due to their geographical position, our countries have for centuries served as the corridor between Asia and Europe, forming the backbone of transport connectivity between the two continents. At the same time, our countries are the gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Suez Canal, placing us at the centre of global trade. Cooperation is the key word when facing new challenges, which is why Greece and Turkey must strengthen their ties and expand their cooperation in maritime transport and trade, moving together towards a new green era,” he stated.
It is worth recalling that Greece and the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association were the honoured country and organisation at the first Shiproute event in 2022.
KOSDER, which organises the Shiproute conference, is the Turkish counterpart to EENMA in the shortsea shipping sector.
Source: Naftemporiki