The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, referred to the enduring strength of Greek shipping, the strategic importance of Piraeus as an international maritime hub, and the challenges posed by current geopolitical instability to global trade and shipping, in his address at the Xinde Marine Forum Athens 2026, held in Piraeus (PPA S.A.), as part of Posidonia 2026.
Kikilias underlined that Attica, from north to south and from east to west, has these days “been filled with people from the shipping industry who have come from every corner of the world to honour Posidonia,” which he described as a landmark event for global shipping. He stressed that “the entire maritime ecosystem is located in Piraeus: companies, traditional Greek shipping, shipowners, seafarers, and all those working in the most important sector of the Greek economy.” Together with tourism, services, and real estate, shipping constitutes one of the key pillars of Greece’s GDP, contributing approximately 200,000 well-paid jobs and accounting for around 7–8% of national GDP.
The minister highlighted the global position of Greek-owned shipping, which represents approximately 20%–21% of global tonnage and 61% of the fleet controlled by European Union member states. As he noted, “this did not happen overnight. It is the result of tradition, hard work at sea, in ports, and in trade. It is a culture deeply intertwined with the Greek people, through which they have progressed and prospered.”
He also made special reference to the importance of reconnecting the younger generation with maritime professions, stressing that shipping today is linked to the revival of shipbuilding, the upgrading of port infrastructure, and the creation of new professional opportunities across shipping, energy, and international trade.
“Safety is top priority”
Kikilias also emphasised safety as the foremost priority, particularly for the port of Piraeus, from which nearly 11 million passengers depart annually for the Greek islands. “Safety is top priority,” he underlined, referring to Greek citizens, island residents, and the millions of tourists passing through the country’s largest port.
He further stated that the cooperation between COSCO and the Greek administration at the Port of Piraeus represented a highly significant investment, undertaken at a time when the country was facing severe economic challenges and limited investment capacity. “Greece continues to move forward both in terms of Greek-owned vessels and the Greek flag fleet. The 5,800 ships are not a number that can go unnoticed. We are proud of our global first position, but this leadership comes with responsibility,” he said.
Regarding the international environment, the Minister stressed that global trade must remain free, and that the ability of ships, seafarers, captains, engineers, and all maritime professionals to travel freely around the world is vital for the global economy. He noted that “the first concern of the political leadership of the Ministry is always the safety of seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf,” underlining that the current situation once again highlights the critical importance of shipping and the sea for the shared global future.
With respect to discussions at the IMO on carbon emissions, the Minister stressed that, given the global nature of shipping, a global agreement is required. As he stated, “every country and every major international stakeholder must make the maximum possible effort to achieve a realistic agreement this coming autumn, one that will work to the benefit of all.”
Concluding his remarks, Kikilias thanked the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Fang Qiu, for the cooperation and the invitation, and wished “fair winds” to all seafarers and maritime professionals. “Above all, I wish them safety and quality in their work. We are bound by tradition, and as Greeks, we will never cease to be people of the sea,” he concluded.
Για να εμφανίζονται περισσότερα άρθρα της Ναυτεμπορικής στις αναζητήσεις σας εύκολα και γρήγορα, πρέπει να προσθέσετε το site στις προτιμώμενες πηγές σας. Μπορείτε να το κάνετε πηγαίνοντας εδώ.
