In the context of establishing strategic and mutually beneficial synergies aimed at the mutual support of all port users, SPC Greece, having assumed the Presidency of the European Shortsea Network (ESN) two months ago, proceeded with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME), which took place in Piraeus on Monday, 27 January 2025.
With the activation of the Memorandum of Cooperation, the two organizations will have the opportunity to identify common challenges as well as opportunities for the more effective use of ports, strengthen the implementation of best practices, study and understand methods applied by other European ports, and participate in joint planning initiatives that will contribute to achieving sustainable development in Europe.
The President of EENMA, Charalambos Simantonis, representing SPC Greece, stated that: “the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between SPC Greece and ELIME seals the commitment of both organizations to undertake joint actions aimed at developing beneficial synergies among the entire network of European Union port users — ships, land transport operators, professionals, and residents of the wider urban fabric.” Mr. Simantonis also highlighted the opportunities Greece will have over the next five years for improved access to the competent bodies of the European Union through the assignment of the Sustainable Transport and Tourism portfolio to a Greek Commissioner.
The President of the Hellenic Ports Association, Athanasios Liagkos, emphasized that the customers and partners of ports are all their users and, therefore, active cooperation between the two organizations can deliver visible, measurable, and mutually beneficial results not only for SPC Greece and ELIME, but for the entire network of users, while also contributing significantly to the European objective of green ports.
