Page 57 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2024

John Platsidakis with his extensive experience comments on the shipping industry’s
current environmental regulations and how recent pirate attacks have affected the
industry's public image. He also describes how Greek shipping's hands-on management has
been its competitive advantage that has led to its significant growth.

GREEK SHIPPING HAS

SHOWN REMARKABLE

ADAPTABILITY TO

MARKET CHANGES

John Platsidakis, ❶ Given the recent surge in attacks a career as crew members on merchant ships,
Honorary Chairman against merchant shipping, do you although we should keep in mind that there are
of INTERCARGO, think international regulators have more than 100,000 ocean-going ships in ser-
talks to
Giannis Theodoropoulos overemphasised environmental regu- vice. These attacks, which may be from pirates
lations without achieving the expected or otherwise, are indeed creating a problem for
results? shipping; however, putting the direct blame on
Indeed, shipping regulations have been over- institutions may be unfair. It would be fairer to
emphasised on their own merits. The relatively address this negative criticism towards offi-
low environmental footprint of shipping - 2.3% cial entities, i.e. governments, when they are
of total CO2 emissions when compared with the reluctant to safeguard the smooth operations
work done - does not justify the unmanageable of shipping, e.g., ensuring the fair treatment of
flow of shipping-related regulations and the val- seafarers when they find themselves in ugly sit-
uable time spent on them by several tens, if not uations beyond their responsibility and control.
hundreds of thousands, of people engaged over
millions of hours. ❸ What is the most significant challenge
when it comes to shipping's green tran-
❷ The recent surge in attacks against sition?
merchant shipping reflects the failure The major challenge is that shipping, i.e., ships,
of institutions to ensure a safe environ- are asked to comply with regulations that have
ment for seafarers. Do these attacks been adopted without consideration of whether
jeopardise the public image of ship- the means to do so are available in the market
ping? and, if they are, whether they are economically
Well, yes, it does arouse a negative feeling viable. I will repeat myself, as I have been doing
among young people who may be considering for the last eight or so years, by saying that

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