
Kikilias and Tzitzikostas Discuss EU Shipping and Competitiveness
In a meeting on Wednesday in Brussels, Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, and European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, discussed the future of European shipping. Kikilias highlighted the importance of embracing shipping to maintain competitiveness with the US and China. He emphasized Greece's significant role, with Greek-owned shipping accounting for 20% of the world’s fleet and 60% of European shipping, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonian
Kikilias stressed that Greek shipping is a crucial geopolitical asset for the EU and warned that restrictive regulations could undermine its global presence. He called for a level playing field in fuel regulations to align EU rules with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), supporting a practical green transition for European shipping.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs is prepared to contribute proposals to the EU's developing Industrial Maritime Strategy.