In the early 2000s, the European Commission introduced a programme of 14 actions to enhance the effectiveness of shortsea shipping and address barriers limiting its development. Within this framework, the establishment of Shortsea Promotion Centers (SPCs) was proposed in order to facilitate the integration of shortsea shipping into the European logistics chain.
Today, 22 national Shortsea Promotion Centers operate under the umbrella of the European Shortsea Network (ESN).
The ESN is a cooperative European platform, governed by the national promotion centers and operating under a rotating European presidency.
The Shortsea Shipping Promotion Center Greece (SPC Greece) was established in 1998 and is one of the founding members of the European Shortsea Network.
The Center operates under the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association (EENMA) and has been entrusted by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy with the responsibility to:
The Association remains committed to ensuring that regulatory developments, including environmental and emissions frameworks, reflect operational realities and safeguard the competitiveness of European shortsea operators.
In March 2014, SPC Greece was entrusted with the creation and operation of the Permanent Secretariat of the European Shortsea Network.
The Secretariat is responsible for:
The European Shortsea Network includes national Shortsea Promotion Centers across Europe, working together to promote sustainable maritime transport and strengthen the role of shortsea shipping within the European logistics system.
