“Tragedy” is the word used by the President of the Evgenidis Leonidas Group, Dimitriadis Evgenidis, to describe the picture presented by the route and subsidy regime in Greek shipping.
Speaking at a conference on transport, Mr. Eugenidis, who is launching the passenger ferry “Anemos” in the Western Cyclades this year, characterized the whole picture “as a “tragedy” and added that “it is a very discouraging and sad picture”.
“Currently there are islands that for technical reasons do not have routes. Itineraries are also approved on ships that will never run but are intended to block the lines of others. The concept of regular and emergency routing has overflowed. How are the subsidies given, what are the criteria? I know one thing: the subsidy is given for social cohesion, the conventional ships which will cover the needs of the islands for 12 months. I want to understand what is the perspective, with which we decide and give subsidies, why this island and not the other, said Mr. Eugenides and asked for a new institutional framework and a fundamental restructuring and a proper institutional treatment.
He even gave an example saying that a truck cannot go from Sifnos to Syros because the Ministry chose to subsidize the intra-Cycladic transport through a high-speed ship and not a conventional ferry.
On the other hand, the president of the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN), Mr. Spyros Paschalis, meaningfully commented that as long as the legislative framework was respected and interpreted correctly, there would be no problem. But the framework gives absolute power to the minister who is in the middle of a conflict of interest and has to make his own choices.
Mr. Eugenides also referred to the lack of sailors in coastal shipping, noting that this year we are seeing a huge lack of crews. We cannot find crews in coastal shipping, said Mr. Evgenidis so that the president of SEEN also agreed. Spyros Paschalis who added that indeed this is a serious matter.
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
Vardis Vardinogiannis: ‘On a Ship’s Bridge You Always Look Forward’
Ten milestones in the half century since the creation of Motor Oil Group, as described by Vardis Vardinogiannis, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91
DBRS Says Greek Banks ‘Shielded’ from ECB Rate Cuts
The agency explains that fund disbursements through the banking sector will help offset pressures anticipated on interest margins beginning in 2025, due to expected rate cuts by the European Central Bank (ECB).
Meta Cuts Facebook and Instagram Subscription Fees by 40%
The social media giant also revealed that it will continue to offer free access to Facebook and Instagram for EU users, provided they agree to see ads based on a limited set of user data.
Skyrocketing Use of Debit, Credit Cards
The total value of the transactions conducted with debit and credit cards in the country in the first half of 2024 rose 2% on the corresponding period of 2023
JP Morgan Revised Greece Outlook to ‘Overweight’
The investment bank notes that Greece is showing the strongest GDP growth in the Eurozone. Additionally, efforts to clear up bank balance sheets are anticipated to yield increased capital returns.
Vardis I. Vardinogiannis, Greek Tycoon and Shipping Magnate, Dies at 91
In 1990, Vardinogiannis was targeted in an attack which involved three rockets fired at his vehicle by the terrorist organization 17 November.
Kudos for Greek Sheep’s Milk Cheeses
Graviera is the Greek version of the Swiss gruyère, and is generally considered the second most popular cheese made in the country after feta
EIB Survey: Greeks Rank Climate Change as Top Concern After Cost of Living
Specifically, 98% of the Greeks surveyed stated that the country must to adapt to climate change, with 60% saying that priority should be given to these adjustment measures
Trump Tells Putin not to Escalate Ukraine War during Phone Convo
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden, is preparing to lobby Trump against abandoning U.S. support for Kyiv
Former Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris Dies at 82
Boutaris entered politics in 2010, serving as the 60th mayor of Thessaloniki for two consecutive terms until 2019, becoming a transformative figure with his progressive policies.
