Optimism for a very good year in the cruise sector

The Annual Ordinary General Meeting of the Union of Cruise Ship Owners and Shipping Agencies was held, on the cruise ship CELESTYAL CRYSTAL where:

– The members were informed about the events of the year 2022.

-The report of the audit committee on financial management 2022 was presented.

-The 2023 budget was approved, and

-A three-member audit committee was elected for the 2023 management audit.

Cruise indutry on course for a new record – Over 5,000 ships dock at Greek ports

The president of the Union, Mr. Georgios Koumbenas, in his speech to the Members said: “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to this year’s General Assembly, with a return to our physical space at the CELESTYAL CRYSTAL, which hosts us.

Taking stock of the past year 2022, we could say that, the main features were the restart of the cruise industry to a satisfactory extent, with the subsidence of the COVID – 19 pandemic. We would like to hope that the indications for this year’s tourist season they will be verified and we will not experience new events that could affect the activity of our industry.

The Union with the Members, took all the necessary actions during the pandemic, with continuous interventions to the Central Administration and all the relevant factors on this matter, in order to make the necessary arrangements, to facilitate the movement of ships and those transported by those of passengers – tourists. The cooperation with the local Authorities of the ports of cruise destinations was on a daily basis and with the assistance of the local representatives of the managing companies.

National strategy

A leading issue that has been proposed for regulation is the drawing up of a National Cruise Strategy based on:

· Today’s Greek destinations and those of the future that are constantly of interest.

· Port infrastructures.

· The dimensions of the ships.

· Interests in the development of home porting.

· The possibilities of serving passengers – visitors to avoid inconveniences, etc.

We will continue the fight, according to the action programs, so that we can achieve the resolution of as many issues as possible that concern the industry, in this case for the better service of the ships and also of the managing companies, always in accordance with the developments of the time, the technological development and what the free market imposes on the International arena”.

The monitoring of issues of interest to the industry, which are considered by the International and Community Bodies, is done in a systematic way and for the whole range related to the operation of ships (Safety – Security – STCW issues and especially in recent years the issues related with the atmospheric Environment).

The registration of new Members is another satisfaction and recognition of our Organization for the work that is being done. Thanks.”

Emissions Conference

Afterwards, a Conference took place, which was organized in collaboration with the Municipality of Piraeus and concerned the Protection of the atmospheric environment from the emissions caused by the operation of the ships’ engines – concerning ships docked at the central passenger port of Piraeus.

Speakers from the field of Central Administration, Local Self-Government, Internationally Recognized Experts, as well as the field of marine tourism, who deal with the design, construction of ships, monitoring their operation in all sectors, took the floor and referred to efforts made, in order to reduce the emission of pollutants from the operation of the ships’ engines, in accordance with the Decisions of the IMO, as well as of the International Conferences on the Environment, with the historical Protocols such as those of Kyoto and Paris.

The purpose of this initiative by the two Agencies was to make known the effort being made to combat the greenhouse effect, with the aim of improving the quality of life of the residents, especially in the ports of cruise destinations, to live in as clean an atmospheric environment as possible.

This topic is current, all the competent bodies in the International, Community and National space have been dealing with it in recent years, with the aim of reducing the pollution caused by any form of activity on land, air and sea. The shipping industry is one of the least responsible for the pollution of the atmospheric environment. His liability is limited to 2.7%.

Nevertheless, the International Maritime Organization – IMO – which deals with all shipping issues, attaches particular importance to the issues related to the atmospheric environment.

• The designation of marine areas as Emission Control Areas (ECA’s), means the passage of ships with a reduced production of pollutants, carbonaceous pollutants, such as sulphur, which is set at 0.1%. Related decision for the Mediterranean, aiming at improved air quality for a total of 150 million people.
• The electricity supply situation in the ports, the well-known cold ironing, for powering the ships, is another measure aimed at not operating the engines during their stay there, for the benefit of the population that remains around these areas.