Executives of the shipping market characterize this agreement as historic, as it is possible that it will lead to the construction of new ships in the future
New data in the coastal shipping market is created by the recent Memorandum of Cooperation (MoU) of 1 billion euros recently signed between ONEX SA (owner of the Neorio and Elefsina Shipyards) and the ATTICA GROUP.
Executives of the shipping market characterize this agreement as historic, as it is not excluded that in the next period it will lead to the construction of new ships, but also give the impetus to other companies in the field to proceed with something similar.
The Memorandum between the two parties, lasting ten years, with the possibility of extension, provides for the exclusive realization at the ONEX Group's Elefsina and Syros shipyards of the maintenance, retrofitting, repair and environmental upgrading of the existing ships of the Attica Group, as well as of the possibility of building new modern ships.
In particular, it provides for the exclusive implementation of the annual maintenance and repairs of the Attica Group fleet, which currently numbers 45 ships, upgrade works and energy conversions of the existing ships with the aim of the "green transition" and the improvement of their environmental footprint in accordance with new requirements of European and international legislation, as well as the provision of a right of preference to the ONEX Group in the event of a decision by the Attica Group to build new ships, so that they are built in its shipyard facilities.
The technical and financial terms for each assigned work will be finalized with more specific agreements each time.
It is noted that at the moment 41% of the Greek coastal ships that are currently launched, in 2035 will be more than 40 years old, the renewal of the coastal fleet is one of the biggest challenges that the industry has to face.
The average age of the Greek Coastal Fleet reaches 28 years.
X. Stylianidis: We are in discussions with the Commission on how to build "green" ships
The Minister of Shipping of Greece, Christos Stylianidis, recently speaking to journalists revealed that Greece is in negotiations with the Commission on the issue of the "green" transition in coastal shipping as a fund has already been secured for the NSRF, starting with 80 million euros and can reach up to 500 million euros for how we will build "green" ships
"We have such a discussion with the Commission and it is a tough negotiation since it has some specifications that are requested and may not correspond to the Greek shipping culture," he said, adding "all this is an ongoing discussion and we do not want to let the opportunity go to waste"
According to the founder and General Manager of XRTC Business Consultants Giorgos Xiradakis, given that there are currently no available used ships that meet environmental regulations, the only solution is to build new ships.
He points out that the problems posed are varied, the most important being the type of fuel these new ships will use and how they will be financed.
It is noted that the main objective of the "FuelEU Maritime" initiative, as a key part of the EU's "Fit for 55" package, is to increase the demand for and consistent use of renewable and low-carbon fuels and to reduce emissions greenhouse gases from the shipping sector, while ensuring the smooth operation of maritime traffic and avoiding distortions in the internal market.
For Greece, with regard to the "FuelEU Maritime" regulation, an exemption has been granted until December 31, 2029 to coastal shipping vessels approaching ports of islands with less than 200,000 inhabitants.
However, ships operating on the Patras-Italy lines and to islands with more than 200,000 inhabitants, from 2024 will have to apply the two regulations of the European Union concerning the ETS (Emission Trading System) and the "FuelEU Maritime ».
-K. Magiras: Coastal shipping is the Egnatian Way of our islands-
The Executive President of ATTICA GROUP, Mr. Kyriakos Mageiras, sent a message about the need for funding to upgrade coastal shipping as a whole and at the level of infrastructure, speaking at the Conference of the Hellenic Shipyards Association (EEN).
"We have monastic ports on islands with five-star hotels," he emphasized, noting that many steps are needed in order to increase the consumer satisfaction index both in terms of ship services and port infrastructure.
Referring to the green and digital transformation of coastal shipping, he emphasized that the sector is not ready for this transition, however, it is a project not only for the EU but also for the next generation.
"Attica is ready for the next day of Greek shipping, through a large investment program of up to 1 billion euros which has not only been planned but has already started to be implemented", Mr. Mageiras emphasized, speaking of a modernization program, digital transformation incorporating artificial intelligence, but also environmental upgrading of ships.
"Attica has completed the integration of ANEK and has a fleet of 45 ships and has committed to a large investment in the modernization and development of this fleet. In this context and the memorandum of cooperation with ONEX, because our goal is that this development returns multipliers in Greece and that the investments stay in our country. We Greek shipowners must invest and support the Greek shipbuilding industry. It is an opportunity for the country," stressed Mr. Mageiras.
-PI. Xenokostas: National capital the renaissance of the industry.-
"We are ready to build ships, and tomorrow it is enough that they belong to categories that are competitive for the country and for the shipyards," noted the President & CEO of ONEX Group, Panos Xenokostas, at the Conference of the Hellenic Shipyards Association (EEN), stressing that the shipyards of Syros and Elefsina were ready for this step already before the resolution decision.
"You're never going to build a ship if you just wait until you're ready to do it," he emphasized, pointing out that a necessary factor for the construction of ships to progress is a financing mechanism that will work as in other countries with the participation of the Hellenic Development Bank.
Responding to the complex issue of the labor force shortage, Mr. Xenokostas noted that ONEX already "runs" in cooperation with the Ministry of Education an education school in Syros, at the same time, in cooperation with DYPA, it has started the operation of a two-year follow-up school within the shipyards while, finally, it implements a program of visits by EPAL students to the shipyards in order to get to know the industry up close.
Additionally, as announced at the beginning of 2024, a series of meetings with the Ministry of Education will begin in order to find a mechanism for certifying employees.
"Thanks to politicians who do the political act in 4 years, the miracle we see today took place," he said, emphasizing that the revival of the industry is a national capital that we owe to the next generation to implement.