- “We want people to understand the importance of shipping in our everyday lives because the industry is not just a business, but a strategic partner for every country, every government.”
- “It’s thrilling to be back with such a positive impact.”
- Costis Stambolis is a Financial Mirror correspondent based in Athens
Market conditions have altered, notably energy, as Greece welcomed back the “Posidonia” international shipping exposition at the Athens Metropolitan Expo after a four-year absence due to the epidemic as reported by Financial Mirror.
Exhibition
With energy commodities forming a big chunk and certainly the most critical of maritime trade, interest is high among shipping companies, marine engineers, shipyards, banks, and operators on the future role of energy in shipping.
At the inaugural ceremony in front of a 1,000-strong audience, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis praised the Greek shipping industry for its sizeable contribution to the country’s GDP, estimated at 7% and 200,000 jobs created for Greek citizens.
But far more important is the role of Greek shipping in opening roads of innovation and enterprise since they control almost 20% of the global tonnage, a third of the international tanker fleet and 25% of LNG and chemical vessels.
A recurrent theme among the speeches and during the 70 or so seminars and workshops organised parallel to the exhibition is the key role of low carbon transport technologies and the need for the gradual transformation of vessels into less energy consuming and less polluting ones.
Impractical regulations
Speakers clarified their concerns over “ambitious” and “unrealistic” EU goals and impractical regulations, with the need to decarbonise eventually requiring a level playing field.
“What Europe does with decarbonisation regulations, such as ‘Fit for 55’ and the Emissions Trading System (ETS), must be guided by the need to preserve and promote the competitiveness of European shipping as a whole.”
“Certain decisions may be detrimental to our industry and could risk losing our competitive edge against competition from Asia and other regions.”
We want real solutions that safeguard navigation safety.
“We will continue to defend the position and interests of Greek shipping.”
“We want people to understand the importance of shipping in our everyday lives because the industry is not just a business, but a strategic partner for every country, every government.”
Eye opener
This year’s Posidonia was also an eye-opener because the latest technologies were on display, including carbon capture solutions, electric propulsion, decarbonisation techniques, hydrogen and ammonia powered systems, LNG powered engines and so forth.
As most shipping executives tend to agree, the curve leading to low carbon solutions is uncertain at this stage and likely to spread over the next 20-30 years.
But the message is very clear as there is no turning back on the road towards cleaner fuels and low carbon technologies in ships.
“It’s thrilling to be back with such a positive impact.”
“We are thankful and grateful for the unwavering support of the global maritime community.”
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Source: Financial Mirror
