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Néa Smírni
Newsfront Naftiliaki

Newsfront/ Naftiliaki is a publisher, print buyer and media and event consultant based in Athens, Greece. This is the official page of Newsfront / Naftiliaki.

The NEWSFRONT.GR internet information service focuses on the worldwide activities of the GREEK SHIPPING community via daily news stories plus regular S&P and newbuilding reports, coverage of ship finance transactions and legislative, maritime policy and other developments affecting the industry. Plus a running bulletin board (On & Off the Akti Miaouli) on staff appointments, new agency representat

ions and other activities linked to the many companies engaged in servicing the GREEK-OWNED MERCHANT FLEET. The NAFTILIAKI INDEX TO GREEK SHIPPING is a comprehensive directory of the Greek-based shipping-related community, with special attention being paid to Piraeus, the hub of Greek shipping. Divided into seven main sections, the Index covers the whole spectrum of activities associated with one of the world's major contributors to seaborne transportation, from port information to administration contact points, through marine equipment manufacturers and their representatives to shipping offices and their directors, and the hundreds of companies providing the back-up services a shipping community requires. The Naftiliaki Index to Greek Shipping is your key to the Greek shipping marketplace. The LEISURE & PLEASURE GUIDE lists a wide range of recommended restaurants, bar-restaurants and tavernas in Piraeus, downtown Athens and the city's northern and southern suburbs. Most tastes are covered, from traditional Greek to international cuisine via Tex-Mex, BBQ, Chinese, Thai and Japanese menus. All listings regularly vetted for quality of food, service and ambiance. Full addresses, contact numbers and information on when open. MEDIA & EVENT CONSULTANCY: Apart from providing press office and other back-up services to the organisers of the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition, Newsfront/Naftilaki has coordinated on- and off-site receptions, press conferences and media presentations for a number of Posidonia exhibitors.

02/07/2025

GREECE RANKS THIRD IN TERMS OF FLEET VALUE

The Greek-owned fleet receives the 'bronze' medal in terms of maritime asset values, with the first two positions taken by the two Asian nations of China and Japan. According to the latest data from VesselsValue, maritime asset values remain high, reflecting the continued strong demand for modern vessels and the ongoing shortage of new shipbuilding orders.
In the ranking of the world's leading maritime nations, China maintains the top position globally, with a fleet valued at $271bn, confirming its growing role in the international trade and shipbuilding industry. Japan comes second, with a fleet valued at $230bn, continuing its long-standing tradition of strong presence in shipping. Greece ranks third, with a fleet worth $183bn, solidifying once again its dominance in deep-sea shipping, particularly in the trump shipping, tankers and bulk carriers sectors.
In fourth place is the United States of America, with a fleet valued at $116.5bn, which is of particular interest due to the diversity of its maritime sectors. According to an analysis by Veson Nautical, the cruise industry is the United States' most valuable segment, valued at $60.1bn with 203 vessels. The world's two largest cruise companies, Carnival and Royal Caribbean, are headquartered in the US, playing a key role in the country's leadership in this sector. The second most valuable sector in the US fleet is the Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs), valued at $12.4bn, and representing the largest portion of the fleet in terms of number of ships (35.5%).

30/06/2025

20 MORE TUGS WILL SERVE UPDATED PORT STRATEGY

The Hellenic Shipowners Association of Tugs, Salvage, Anti-pollution and OSVS ships signed an MoU, June 23, with the classification society Bureau Veritas and the shipbuilding group Onex for the construction of 20 new tugboats to add to the Greek fleet.
"We are optimistic that by 2026 we will be able to expand the production line to another 20 tugs, highlighting the importance of tugs in the implementation of investment opportunities," the president and CEO of ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Group and president of the Association of Hellenic Shipyards, Panos Xenokostas, told the conference.
Xenokostas participated in the opening session of the conference on 'The role of tugboats in today's port challenges' and presented the group's vision and initiatives for the revival of the Greek shipbuilding industry, with the tugboat sector at the forefront.
He underlined that ONEX has strategically invested in the revival of the Syros and Elefsis Shipyards, transforming them from inactive facilities into modern ship repair and shipbuilding centres.
"At ONEX Group, we envision, we plan, we implement. We have proven in practice that we can carry out and implement what we envision and announce – regardless of the adversities. We recently celebrated the repair of the 700th ship in our facilities, today we have reached 720 ships. This is an important milestone which marks not only a numerical goal, but the confirmation that Greece can -once again – play a leading role in ship repair. If we calculate only the ship repair sector of the Group which is approximately €125m for 2024 – 2025, we are talking about an approximately €1bn footprint in the country's GDP, hundreds of jobs saved, and thousands of new ones created," he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Shipping ministry, deputy minister Stefanos Gkikas described the day as a historic one for the Greek shipbuilding industry. "Today, we are witnessing the rebirth of the Greek shipbuilding industry. This was an objective established by our Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, from the moment our government was elected in 2019."
He emphasised the dual importance of tugs, saying "These tugboats will serve critical national and international ports, playing a vital role in our country's maritime strategy." In closing, the deputy minister said "It is in our DNA to build ships; we are a country with a long naval tradition. I am very optimistic that, with the regeneration of our shipyards, we will soon see both our warships and those of the Hellenic Coast Guard being built by Greek hands."

(Photo; ONEX)

10/06/2025

SEAFARERS' FATIGUE IS ON THE RISE

Work-related fatigue among cargo ship crews is growing worse, despite international regulations and onboard monitoring aimed at ensuring sufficient rest for seafarers, according to a new study from Cardiff University's Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC).
The research, which draws on anonymous survey responses and interviews with over 2,400 maritime workers, including 1,240 from the cargo sector and 1,202 from the cruise industry, highlights persistent challenges with crew fatigue, access to medical care, and overall wellbeing at sea.
The report comes days after a container ship, the NCL Salten, built 2002, ran aground near a residential home in Trondheim, Norway. The ship had called at three ports in 24 hours, and the watch officer told authorities he had fallen asleep on the bridge. Investigations are underway to determine if rest hour rules were breached.
The Cardiff study reveals that over a third of seafarers surveyed reported not having had enough sleep in the 48 hours prior to completing the questionnaire. The main causes included long working hours, demanding port duties, irregular shift patterns, vessel movement, and onboard noise, all of which have increased since similar studies were conducted in 2011 and 2016.
Senior officers reported higher levels of work-related anxiety contributing to poor sleep. The study also noted a rise in seafarers citing general anxiety and homesickness as barriers to adequate rest.
"Despite better monitoring of staff work/rest hours, fatigue remains an intractable problem for seafarers," said professor Helen Sampson, director of SIRC. "Evidence shows that even when the Maritime Labour Convention is followed, seafarers may still not be getting the rest they need."
Sampson also pointed to frequent falsification of work/rest hour records in order to conceal overwork, a problem compounded by the precarious employment status of many crew members.
The report also exposes serious gaps in medical support on cargo ships. Nearly 20% of cargo seafarers who had experienced a serious illness or injury at sea reported not receiving timely medical attention. Most vessels lacked a qualified medical professional onboard, with only limited telemedical support available until reaching port.

(photo; APE-MPE)

03/06/2025

CRUISE TOURISM ON CORFU IS AIMING TO NEW RECORDS

Cruise tourism on Corfu reached a new record, as 89,000 passengers were welcomed from January to April, an increase of 79% compared to the 49,667 arrivals during the same period in 2024.
Data released by the Corfu Port Authority (CPA), confirmed a dynamic opening to the 2025 cruise season, with significant increases recorded in passenger traffic, cruise ship arrivals, and tourism revenue.
The CPA said 64 cruise ships docked at the port in the first quarter of 2025, up from 36 last year, highlighting Corfu's growing momentum as one of the top cruise destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean.
"The strong start to the 2025 cruise season at the port of Corfu clearly shows that our port continues to earn international trust, while Corfu remains Greece's most important gateway from the west," said CPA's ceo Spiros Zervopoulos.
The year kicked off with strong momentum, with the first cruise ship arriving in Corfu on January 3, an early sign that the tourism season is starting to expand.
Between May and December, Corfu is expected to welcome 406 cruise ships carrying approximately 745,000 passengers. Of these, 111 cruise calls are scheduled between October and December, bringing more than 180,000 visitors to the port.
According to the CPA, these figures underscore the need to step up efforts to lengthen the tourism season.
The benefits of cruise tourism for Corfu were further highlighted in the study "Assessment of the Social and Economic Impacts of the Port of Corfu", recently presented by the CPA.
According to the findings, total contributions from port operations and cruise-related activity reached €193m during the 2023 – 2024 period, supporting 1,750 jobs across the island.
Data also shows that Corfu is emerging as a leading port hub in the Adriatic Sea, generating added value for both the local and national economy.
Zervopoulos said that the CPA is planning infrastructure and service upgrades in anticipation of what is expected to be a record-breaking year, further strengthening the island's standing in the international tourism and maritime network. "Through targeted partnerships, infrastructure upgrades, and a strong focus on the passenger experience, we are reinforcing Corfu's role as a key driver of development and tourism promotion for the wider region, while also boosting the local economy," he concluded.

(photo; APE-MPE)

02/06/2025

SHIPPING IS GREEK ECONOMY'S LUCRATIVE OXYGEN

Greece, a country which accounts for less than 0.3% of global GDP, controls approximately 20% of the world's ocean-going shipping, highlighting its dominant role in the international maritime market.
This influence underlines the strategic importance of shipping for Greece, with the sector affecting one in every 15 jobs in Greece's private sector, making shipping a vital pillar of the domestic economy.
The role of Greek shipping in both the global and domestic economy was reiterated by a study conducted by McKinsey & Company, which also highlights that an additional annual impact of $3bn – $4bn could be achieved, primarily through expanding the base of Greek seafarers, developing shipyards and investing in maritime technology.
According to the study presented by McKinsey & Company's equity partner Apostolos Zampelas, at the 9th Shipping Conference organised by newspaper Naftemporiki, May 28, the European Union controls approximately 32% of the world's shipping capacity. Of this capacity, nearly two-thirds is under Greek ownership or control, positioning Greece as a global leader in maritime transportation.
The Greek fleet numbers over 5,000 vessels, making it one of the largest in the world. Over 26% of Europe's seaborne crude oil imports are transported by Greek-owned tankers, which account for around 20% of global tanker capacity. At the same time, 21% of the global capacity of LNG carriers is also Greek-owned, serving a substantial portion of Europe's energy needs. The total value of Greek
shipping assets is estimated between $140bn – $180bn, with annual gross revenues ranging between $40bn – $50bn.
According to the latest official data, Greek-owned vessels account for a significant share of global ton-miles. About 16% of global tanker ton-miles are carried out by Greek-owned vessels, 16% of bulk carrier ton-miles are also covered by Greek shipowners as well as 27% of global LNG ton-miles are handled by Greek-owned vessels.
This presence is crucial for the Greek economy. About 15% of employment linked to shipping comes from non-shipping-related activities, underscoring the wide indirect benefits the sector brings.
Also, 10% of total private sector payroll in Greece is directly or indirectly connected to shipping and 6% of total private sector employment comes from the shipping industry.
Shipping professions offer salaries three times higher than the Greek national average. The average annual salary for onshore shipping positions is around €55,000 and for seafarers it rises approximately at €65,000.
The Greek shipping sector accounts for 20,000 jobs in ship management, 17,000 Greek seafarers working on Greek-owned vessels and 9,000 jobs in the broader maritime sector, such as agencies, legal and technical services and chartering.

(photo; APE-MPE)

26/05/2025

TRAVLOU: DEFENDING MARITIME SECURITY IS GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY

Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) president, Melina Travlou, warned the United Nations Security Council that "Shipping is increasingly being weaponised – economically, politically and physically", presenting a keynote address during a high-level United Nations debate in New York, May 20.
Under the chairmanship of Greek PM, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Travlou told the debate "While our industry is resilient, it cannot and should not be expected to carry every burden alone. Its resilience should never be assumed; it must be assured."
"We all need to embody the spirit of the UN in its truest form, standing together, not just in name but in purpose. We need to collectively defend freedom of navigation as a shared global responsibility and a cornerstone of peace and humanity," said Travlou.
Referring to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, she issued a universal call for unity and cooperation, calling on the United Nations to honour its mission, highlighting the need to defend freedom of navigation as a collective, global responsibility and a cornerstone of peace and humanity. "The seas must be open, free, safe, and secure," she said.
PM Mitsotakis highlighted the strategic importance of maritime security and reaffirmed Greece's commitment to international cooperation for the promotion of global stability.
The PM underlined that the United Nations is the guardian of the International Convention on the Law of the Sea and the focus of international cooperation. He stressed that "we are increasingly facing asymmetric maritime threats such as smuggling, terrorism, piracy and hybrid attacks which affect both ships and ports."
Concluding, Mitsotakis emphasised that maritime security is fundamentally connected to the core values of the free world. He reiterated that true freedom of the seas can only be realised under the essential condition of security, saying "As a maritime nation with the largest merchant fleet in the world, Greece is committed to remaining the guardian of freedom of navigation in cooperation with all UN member states."

(photo; UGS)

19/05/2025

'MADE IN GREECE' A POTENTIAL SUCCESS STORY FOR SHIPYARDS

Greece's Development minister Takis Theodorikakos said that 'made in Greece' must become the "ultimate success story" of the country's shipbuilding and ship repair industry, while addressing the anniversary event '700 ships – A vision' organised by the ONEX Group at the Elefsina Shipyards, on May 15.
The anniversary ceremony, organised by ONEX Group's Panos Xenokostas, was also attended by the Shipping and Island Policy minister, Vassilis Kikilias, the deputy minister to the Prime Minister, George Mylonakis, and other government officials.
The event commemorated the completion of work on the 700th ship in the ONEX shipyards, the 2010-built car carrier Neptune Odyssey of Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) president Melina Travlos' Neptune Lines Shipping & Managing Enterprises, an achievement that confirms in practice the renaissance of the industry.
"The wager we must all win is for 'Made in Greece' in shipbuilding and ship repair to become the ultimate success story. Something that will honour our country, the executives of the companies, the workers and all Greeks. Because in this way it will reach the level of Greek shipping, which advertises our country all over the world," Theodorikakos underlined.
The minister referred to the legislative measure promoted by the ministry of Development, in
order to ensure the financing of the shipyards through the DFC, the US Development Bank, expressing his thanks for the support provided to a "national wager with a developmental footprint and thousands of jobs".
He said that the presence of the president of the Union of Greek Shipowners, at the anniversary event, marks the link between the investment project of ONEX and the confidence of Greek shipping, while he wished that the vessel will be just the beginning "for thousands of ships that will pass through the Greek shipyards".
Regarding the government's vision for industrial reconstruction, he said "The shipbuilding industry, the blue economy of our country, is making a dynamic comeback. We are putting it back in the frame as a strategic sector for development and national security. That is why, for the first time, it is included in the new Development Law as part of the flagship and strategic investments."
Theodorikakos made special reference to the investment project in the shipyards of Elefsina and Syros, stating that "it creates jobs, produces know-how and is already bearing fruit in the real economy". He highlighted the link between the rebirth of Greek shipyards and the new production model saying "Our goal is for Greece to become a shipbuilding hub in the wider Southeast Mediterranean region. Greek shipping represents a very important part of the country's GDP, with strong multiplicative benefits. It is up to us to ensure that this investment continues to be a huge success – for the benefit of the economy, society and working people."

(photo; APE-MPE)

22/04/2025

ROLE FOR SHIPYARDS IN ENHANCING GREECE'S MARITIME DEFENSE

During the Delphi Economic Forum, April 9-12, ONEX Group's president and CEO, Panos Xenokostas, shared his vision about the revitalization of the Greek maritime defense industry and highlighted the significance of the Greek shipbuilding sector's cooperation in order to achieve this national target.
Participating in the 'Defense Strategy and Security Challenges in Greece' panel, Xenokostas presented a comprehensive strategy for strengthening Greece's defense industry and positioning Greek shipyards as leaders in the field. His proposal focused on the creation of a unified defense shipbuilding entity, through the collaboration of George Procopiou-led Skaramangas Shipyards and ONEX, which would act as the exclusive counterpart to the Hellenic Navy. This step aims to enhance national defense and showcase the potential of the domestic industry.
Xenokostas shared his vision about a 'national ship', designed, built, and supported by Greek shipyards that would empower the country's industrial ecosystem while meeting both domestic and international needs.
Xenokostas emphasized the importance of collaboration, strategic investment, and a focus on domestic production in order for Greece to take a leading role in shipbuilding and defense. "We are committed to continuing our journey, doing our duty for the homeland," he said.
The dynamic reemergence of Greek shipyards has led to significant economic impact on competing defense industries abroad, enhancing Greece's competitiveness against established players in the global shipbuilding sector.

14/04/2025

KIKILIAS URGES THE STRENGTHENING OF THE GREEK FLAG

Shipping and Island Policy minister, Vasilis Kikilias, described shipping as the most important extroverted pillar of the Greek economy, in his introductory remarks at last week's 2nd International Maritime Security Conference, held at the Eugenides Foundation.
Kikilias said "We live in uncertain times and the national economy, as well as a large percentage of its GDP, which comes from shipping, are influenced by geopolitical and strategic decisions. Consequently, strengthening competitiveness in the world of shipping within the European Union is essential."
He noted that 90% of all global goods movement is carried out by ships, of which a very large percentage (20%) are Greek owned although not under the Greek flag, noting that this issue must be examined again. "This is a huge power that cannot be ignored," he said, adding that this power must be transformed into a negotiating advantage.
"The EU, unfortunately, has fallen behind... We are in constant dialogue and negotiation in the EU," he noted. "I understand and respect the green economy, low carbon emissions, I respect the support for ecology and the safeguarding of future generations and all the efforts that have been made by the EU, but competitiveness is essential. This was pointed out jointly by the shipowners and the Greek government, recently in Brussels. We must act carefully and bridge the gap with the United States and China, which are in continuous development, in contrast to the EU, which, unfortunately, has fallen far behind," said Kikilias.
He sounded the alarm, stressing that if the right decisions are not taken immediately by the EU, not only a Greek, but a European strategic advantage will be lost, which concerns the fleet and shipowners.
Kikilias said "It is a time of crisis for the bureaucracy in Brussels, which, unfortunately, has done little work for many decades, while a common strategy that will be implemented and supported by everyone has not yet been found, at least not as soon as it should be. Momentum and dynamics are of essential importance in the global political scene."

(photo; APE-MPE)

02/04/2025

🛳Greener Shipping Summit
New Technologies and Education
A Newsfront/Naftiliaki event, under the auspices of MARTECMA
April 1st - Eugenides Foundation

19/03/2025

COMPETITIVENESS AND STRENGTH OF GREEK REGISTRY ARE TOP PRIORITY

Greece's deputy minister of Shipping and Island Policy Stefanos Gikas outlined the measures taken to enhance the competitiveness of the Greek shipping register during a session in Parliament, March 10.
He highlighted the ministry's goal to attract more vessels to the Greek flag, focusing on modernizing the ship registration process.
Gikas explained that recent initiatives aim to simplify procedures, such as the launch of electronic applications to streamline bureaucratic tasks for seafarers. These include 'myNaftiliaLive.gov.gr' for scheduling appointments, 'e-Seafarer's Portal', which will digitise the seafarer registry, and the 'e-Registry' for registration issues, developed with the ministry of Digital Governance.
As Gikas noted "With the electronic version of the Seafarer's Registry, the entire maritime service of each seafarer will be recorded in real-time, which will significantly facilitate and accelerate the times and procedures for granting NAT's [Seamen’s Pension Fund] pensions."
Gikas also noted the growth of the Greek shipping industry, with the number of registered shipping companies rising to 1,647, up from 1,343 in 2015. Most ships joining the Greek register are modern, eco-friendly vessels, contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions, he said. He also added that "the e-Registry is expected to be completed within the next 12 months, with the total budget for the action amounting to €1m."
Concluding, Gikas reaffirmed that the ministry's efforts to enhance Greek shipping's global competitiveness are ongoing and require continued dialogue with international partners and strategic planning.

(photo; APE-MPE)

11/03/2025

UGS WARNS EU NOT TO GO SOLO IN EFFORTS TO GREEN THE CLIMATE

The UGS welcomed the EU's "effort to combine climate action with industrial competitiveness under a unified strategy". The organisation emphasised that Greek and European shipping are leaders in emission reductions and that the industry's success in the green transition depends on global cooperation, investment, and fuel availability.
"Shipping must be fully integrated into all CID initiatives to secure adequate funding for alternative fuels and infrastructure," said the UGS.
The UGS reiterated that regulatory clarity and financial incentives are crucial to bridge the cost gap between conventional and alternative marine fuels. Additionally, the UGS urged the EU to avoid regional measures that could disrupt competitiveness and instead focus on global solutions within the framework of the IMO.
Announced in February 2025, the CID is the EU's latest strategy to align industrial development with its ambitious climate targets.
While CID's primary focus is on heavy industries, the shipping sector remains a key player in the EU's decarbonisation efforts. However, the UGS argues that current CID provisions do not go far enough in supporting the maritime industry's green transition.
The UGS joins a growing number of industry groups voicing concerns about the need for more inclusive policies. Shipping operators stress alternative fuel development and infrastructure upgrades require substantial financial backing, and without dedicated CID funding, the industry risks falling behind in terms of global competitiveness.

(photo; APE-MPE)

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