Page 20 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - MARTIOS 2023

COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATION

of them green. Nevertheless, there are needs of seafarers. But the shortage of
tough questions when it comes to decar- workers is a phenomenon seen in all the
bonisation, and we need to be prudent in logistics sectors. For example, a massive
the beginning. shortage of drivers on land is reported as
At the same time, we need to reward the well. It seems there is a general shortage
pioneers, the people at the forefront of of workers in professions that are no longer
the decarbonisation efforts. The proposal considered ‘’sexy’’. Many years ago, the
submitted by the ICS is very much in this seafaring profession was very appealing to
direction: a 'fund and reward' system to young people as they could travel world-
catalyse the adoption of alternative fuels, wide and gain new experiences. Today, trav-
and to reward first movers who are pio- elling has become easier and the seafaring
neers in the use of new fuels. The funds profession less attractive.
collected will probably finance 80% of the
price difference between alternative and ç The Grimaldi Group has publicly
conventional fuels. We also aim to reward expressed an interest in the
countries producing new fuels, particu- ports of Igoumenitsa and Herak-
larly developing countries, which bear the lion. What are its plans for these
least responsibility but have suffered the two ports, what motivated it to
most from the carbon dioxide emitted in invest in Greece, and why has
the last 20 years. In this context, we must this interest intensified in the
help them develop clean fuels from their last few years?
Supporting untapped natural resources. Our pragmatic We strongly believe in the potential of the
seafarers around submission is gaining momentum in many transport sector in Greece and this is why
the globe must be countries. we have decided to heavily invest in the
a priority. The country’s port infrastructure.
challenges they â Should the shipping industry We recently won the public tender for the
faced during the be concerned about its public port of Igoumenitsa and are contemplat-
last years are image? What actions and initia- ing what we can do to modernise the port
unprecedented. They tives could it take to improve it? and achieve carbon neutrality by produc-
are the heroes Yes, this has been the case for many years. ing green energy. The Grimaldi Group has
who supported the But I see shipping gaining ground in the introduced solar installations and wind
global economy public’s opinion today as it is becoming turbines in ports and terminals in which
during the harsh increasingly crucial for the world economy. it has invested. We should focus on devel-
pandemic years Also, all the associations, particularly ICS, oping the port’s infrastructure and improv-
are represented everywhere. We were pres- ing the services provided to the logistics
ent at COP26 and COP27 and will be there sector as well as to the passenger traf-
for COP28 as well. We had a big delegation, fic. Igoumenitsa is well connected via the
and we highlighted topics that are critical Egnatia Motorway to Northern Greece
for the industry. We are lobbying and trying and the borders to Bulgaria and Turkey.
to express our views to find solutions. So It is also a beautiful area with a long his-
today, shipowners’ associations are increas- tory and is connected to other islands,
ingly represented in international fora. like Corfu, which attract important tourist
flows and have excellent marinas for sail-
ã Are young Italians showing ing boats.
interest in the maritime profes- At the same time, as you know, we will be
sion? As a group, have you found participating in the tender for the privati-
that the motives, priorities, and sation of the port of Heraklion, where our
characteristics new generation sister company Minoan Lines has its head-
of seafarers are different? quarters. After all, the Grimaldi Group is
We have some homework to do - in Italy, the port’s biggest customer.
Greece, and all over the world. The living è
standards and welfare of seafarers onboard What are the most significant
ships must be improved. We have to dis- lessons you have learned in the
cuss all these things; some are simple, and past 2-3 years?
some are complicated. Ship-to-shore con- The developments are positive. Our industry
nectivity is one such example. We are open has proven to be resilient despite the sig-
to meeting with the ITF to understand the nificant challenges.

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