Melina Travlos: The Union of Greek Shipowners is stronger than ever

Greek shipping is still the fundamental guarantor of global shipping with 5,500 ships, the Greeks’ leader in shipping. And its custodian is the Union of Greek Shipowners.

The above was emphasized by the President of the the UGS Ms. Melina Travlos speaking yesterday at the first general assembly one year after assuming the presidency of the Union.

Ms. Travlos began her speech by thanking all UGS members for the trust and support in her person all this time and concluded by stating that “our Union is stronger than ever”. He called on the members of the EEE to continue to strengthen the Union by registering their ships and to become “messengers of its role also to colleagues who remain far from us. The strength in unity!”

Ms. Melina Travlos’ address

Ms. Travlou’s entire speech is as follows:

“I welcome you to the general assembly of our Union at the Eugenides Foundation, following the tradition of more than four decades.

It has been a year since I took over the presidency and I want to thank you for your trust and support throughout this time.

2022 was a very demanding year.

We have faced and continue to face multiple, international crises.

And in this volatile global environment, shipping has once again acted as a beacon of stability.

A fundamental guarantor of global shipping, our shipping remains with 5,500 ships, the leading shipping of the Greeks. Its custodian, the Union of Greek Shipowners.

The numbers speak for themselves.

We represent 21% of global capacity and 60% of European capacity.

More specifically, globally we control

25% of the bulk carrier fleet,
31% of the tanker fleet,
23% of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) transport fleet,
16% of the chemical and oil derivatives transport fleet,
as well as 8% of the container fleet.

At European level, we control

80% of bulk carriers,
80% of LNG ships
and 70% of tankers.
We are a modern and young age fleet, which is constantly renewed. The Greek fleet has always dared to invest and pioneer. Our leadership, in addition to being quantitative, is now also qualitative.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our sovereignty over the seas is unquestionable. As undeniable is our historical adaptability to every new order of things.

Which for me, is due to our unity, our individual and collective dynamics and, of course, our long-term know-how.

Our superiority is broadly and universally recognized.

During Posidonia [exhibition], I heard from the foreign delegations that here, in Greece, beats the heart of world shipping. And to be honest, the brain of global shipping, as well. We sent a resounding message in all directions.

The message is that we lead developments, with faith in our vision and expertise. This is what we do every day.

Our shipping is the global symbol of our national pride.

It is a national, supra-party capital, of strategic importance, with recorded benefits for the economy of our country.

And here the numbers speak for themselves.

20 billion euros are our country’s revenues from shipping foreign exchange in 2022 and hundreds of thousands of jobs, which come from our investments, both in shipping and in other branches of the national economy.

It is natural, therefore, that maintaining the competitiveness of the sector is included in the national strategy.

Proof of this is that we had the support of the State for the settlement of pending issues with the General Directorate of Competition of the European Commission, which had arisen regarding our institutional framework.

The whole process was completed with the updating of the New Covenant, through the adoption of an Additional Act, which I signed with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance. And, in fact, with an authorization given to me by the vast majority of 93% of the tonnage of ships managed by Greece.

A clear, practical proof of the collegiality and unity of our maritime family, which resulted in keeping our institutional framework intact.

The Undertaking was not an easy mission. Months of hard, day-to-day, multi-level work were required in order to globally update the institutions. Those in charge and those in charge should understand the special characteristics of the matter.

Dear colleagues,

We in shipping have learned to turn crises, changes, new data into opportunities.

The era we live in has everything: crises, technological revolutions, new information and communication speeds, information overload. It is the only way to listen to the times and use it to our advantage.

It is of major importance at a national, European and international level, that primarily society, but also decision-making centers, realize the importance of the work of shipping, as well as the data of our sector at all times.

We have repeatedly experienced our targeting, as is happening now with the geopolitical crisis.

In order not to be faced with distortions and impasses, we must shed light on the real facts.

And that’s what we do, we worked and are working in concert, building effective communication channels. We present specific positions and comprehensive action plans for our industry. We enlighten holistically, all the public, about the strategic dimension of the services we offer, under any condition and whether it prevails on the planet.

I would like us all to keep the message that the Union of Greek Shipowners is our strength.

It was and is a reliable, world-class and influential interlocutor in all forums. Our positions, with their documentation, enjoy particular appeal from shipbuilding associations, as well as institutional international organizations.

Referring to the international environment, I would like to dwell on the environmental issues that continue to dominate at the level of the IMO and European institutions.

We follow international consultations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We are working to reach an agreement, to revise the IMO Strategy and to choose realistic medium-term measures. At the same time, we support the proposal of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) for the adoption in the IMO of a global financial measure based on a contribution system (levy) per ton of carbon dioxide emissions. It is a positive fact that at the last session of the competent IMO Committee a clear preference was registered in this direction.

Now, on the subject of the implementation, from January 1, of the operational Carbon Intensity Indicator (the well-known CII), we have pointed out from the beginning that a revision is required. We warned early on, along with international shipping organizations, that compliance with the CII index would present weaknesses. We also have the positive outcome here, that non-compliance will not be punitive and, since we are, until 2026, in an informal period of gaining experience, we use it as an opportunity.

We have already proceeded to set up a special Working Group in the Board of Directors, with the aim of demonstrating the weaknesses of the measure, which is ultimately unfair to all ships. We collect and will evaluate the data so that we can formulate and promote proposals that can improve the regulation and mitigate its effects.

Now, at the European level, most of our activity has been devoted to the negotiations for the inclusion of shipping in the EU ETS.

After our diligent actions, in coordination with the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), we succeeded in adopting our important positions in the final agreement. And this happened in spite of several contrary positions of other organizations. Our greatest success is that the catalytic role of the ship’s commercial operator was recognized. As well as its responsibility to comply with the EU ETS, according to the “polluter pays” principle. Let me remind here that our Union was the first, in 2021, to bring this proposal to the table. Also, shipping is the only sector, among those participating in the EU ETS, for which a commitment of resources was foreseen. Having until 2030, over 1.5 billion euros, in the decarbonization of the sector.

However, we continue to emphasize in all directions that regional measures and, in fact, of a purely revenue nature, are not suitable for international shipping. And we insist on an international solution from the IMO.

In 2023, however, we have other challenges to face. I am referring to the application of ETS. Our goal is the adoption of practical solutions with the least possible burden – financially and administratively – on shipping companies.

We will also formulate proposals for the actions to be financed to decarbonize our industry, through the resources that will be committed. We prioritize reducing the cost difference between alternative and traditional fuels in order to avoid the risk of distorting competition.

Greek shipping is committed to the goal of green shipping, setting, however, two non-negotiable parameters:

Firstly, the synergy of all parties involved in the maritime activity chain is required, such as energy producers, engine manufacturers, shipyards.

And secondly, and above all, the safety of seafarers and ships must be guaranteed.

Our message is clear, Safety First.

A parameter that we placed on the global agenda, since no one was touching this vital issue.

In addition, in the past year, our cooperation with classifiers was further strengthened, where our systematic actions led to the prevention of deterioration of shipbuilding standards for bulk carriers and tankers.

Another success at the IMO level, in which our methodical efforts contributed, is the decision to declare the flashpoint for the delivered fuel under the responsibility of the supplier. A development that will significantly improve the safety of marine fuels.

Finally, we are in open dialogue with RightShip, highlighting the weaknesses of the rating system it has developed. Our requirement is a fairer performance of the Safety Score and therefore avoiding the unjustified downgrading of our ships.

Closing the cycle of the main issues that occupied us last year, I would like to refer to a matter of the highest priority for our shipping.

The defense of our navy, in combination with our national registry. The strength of Greek shipping is all of us. We are a human-centered shipping company.

Our competitive advantage is our people, on our ships and in our companies.

The further development of our shipping requires a sufficiently trained and well-qualified human resource.

It is, however, disappointing that the Greek navy does not follow corresponding growth rates with the jumps of Greek shipping. Immediate interventions are needed before the situation becomes irreversible.

Maritime education needs to be modernized and transformed.

The evaluation and proper utilization of the existing Merchant Marine Academies needs to be put in the center of the State’s attention. Maritime education is inextricably linked to the general participation of our young people in the maritime profession.

And in this field, we must respond to the age with the means of the age.

To speak to our children in their language.

To understand the strategic advantage of our shipping, as a professional branch.

To perceive the perspectives and quality characteristics of the maritime profession.

To choose consciously and with pride the seafaring career, as a healthy, safe and forward-looking work environment.

An environment that recognizes and rewards value.

It is our responsibility, therefore, to work together, that is the maritime community and the State, united, in this direction. Only with one voice will we preserve and promote our nation’s seafaring to reverse its declining course, at least quantitatively. A national action plan is needed and not individual, piecemeal initiatives, which create confusion and aggravate the issue.

The competitiveness of the Greek registry comes to link to the above.

As a country, we need a strong national registry. The flag represents us in international fora and must maintain and strengthen its momentum. The EEE proposals are well-known, documented and realistic. There is no more time to waste! And in this direction we are working!

Dear colleagues,

Consciously and symbolically, I chose to conclude my speech by emphasizing the value and power of social solidarity. The Greek fleet is historically identified with the national benefit.

The Union of Greek Shipowners, through SYN-ENOSIS, as well, has offered, in recent years, over 80,000,000 euros for the implementation of actions in the fields of health, education, welfare, support for vulnerable groups and crisis management.

It is our duty and responsibility to continue to offer, even more dynamically, to the homeland.

I am proud to inform you that in a few days the Association will officially announce the largest scholarship program in its history.

In 2023 we will grant 100 postgraduate scholarships to young men and women from our country!

With this movement, we place education, the most critical part of society, the new generation, at the center of our social contribution. We reward excellence, we honor positive role models, we shield our future. I want to thank each and every colleague who participates in this program.

We are also working on a comprehensive plan for a hub offering in health. Which will add to our already strong and uninterrupted social footprint in this area.

I call and invite you, all of us, united, to help and continue our collective and effective social work.

Colleagues,

Our Union is stronger than ever.

I ask that you continue to strengthen our Union by registering your ships and becoming a harpbinger terms of her role and to the colleagues who remain far from us.

The strength in unity!

Thank you.