On Friday, February 7, 2025, the President of the European Shortsea Network and President of the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association, Charalambos Simantonis as well as the representatives of the Shortsea Shipping Association (HSSA), Elpi Petraki, Vice President, Efstratios Tsalamanios, Treasurer, Danai Tsopela, Director, and Alexandros Lagouros, Maritime Affairs Advisor, held a working meeting with the Minister of Shipping & Island Policy, Christos Stylianidis.
The main topic of the meeting was to inform the Minister about the assumption of the presidency of the European Shortsea Network (ESN) by the Greek Center for the Promotion of Shortsea Shipping (SPC Greece), which operates under EENMA, from the beginning of the year. Mr. Simantonis thoroughly informed the Minister about the scope of responsibilities of SPC Greece, including the monitoring and implementation of EU decisions regarding shortsea shipping at a national and European level, as well as the activities of the ESN, through which 60% of intra-community trade is transported (i.e., 1.79 million tons). Additionally, the revised EU institutional framework governing the ESN was discussed, as it operates as a European body for cooperation, promotion, and development of shortsea shipping, constituting one of the Union’s main pillars for the systematic shift of transport flows from road axes to maritime routes and aiming at relieving European roads, reducing accidents, and providing more environmentally friendly services. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Simantonis stated: «We are satisfied with the atmosphere of the meeting and the content of the discussion as the Minister is knowledgeable about European issues and regulatory frameworks, as well as the significant role of shortsea shipping in European maritime transport. We hope for the continuation of mutually beneficial cooperation as we consider that by taking over the presidency of the ESN we will have the opportunity for more contacts with institutional bodies in Europe.