Page 40 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2022

ON THE SEAFRONT

2022 creates huge management problems for “We expect the immediate reopening of the
ships under charter or agreed to be chartered, Elefsina Shipyards, as it is an important industry
especially shortsea shipping ships carrying out located in Elefsina Port Authority SA’s jurisdiction,
frequent crossings. and its reopening is considered of the utmost
The Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association importance for the future development of the
(HSSA), with its relevant letter to the Ministries country’s shipbuilding industry,” he added.
of Foreign Affairs and Maritime & Island Policy,
requests the immediate intervention of the Greek ELSTAT’S JULY DATA ON THE GREEK
Government. MERCHANT FLEET
At the same time, the HSSA is in communication According to ELSTAT, the number of ships and
with international organisations, as this unjustified the carrying capacity of the Greek merchant fleet
decision by the Turkish authorities affects the are declining.
free movement of goods and is against global In July 2022, the gross tonnage of the Greek
maritime community practices. Merchant fleet for vessels of 100 GRT and above
dropped by 2.2%, and ship numbers declined by
A NEW ERA BEGINS FOR THE ELEFSINA 0.2% compared to June 2021. Based on June data,
SHIPYARDS the Greek merchant fleet comprises 1,834 ships
The Elefsina Shipyards have become a critical with 38,963,825 cubic metres GRT.
pillar of the national defence industry with guar- 41% (744) of these are passenger ships, 21%
anteed jobs, as the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos (376) cargo ships and 24% (445) tankers. Year
Mitsotakis stated during his visit to the shipyard on year, the Greek merchant fleet’s passenger
on Friday, 2 September, after parliament had ships increased by 3.6%, while bulk carriers and
passed the bill providing for the company’s san- tankers decreased by 4.8% and 3.9%, respectively.
itisation. In terms of gross tonnage, tankers play the most
“Today is indeed a very important, a great moment important role in the Greek ocean-going fleet,
for the Elefsina Shipyards, and I want to start accounting for 68% of the Greek Merchant fleet’s
by thanking everyone who worked so that this total capacity.
very critical law could be passed”, noted Kyriakos 65.3% of the said ships (1,198) have a capacity of
Mitsotakis, speaking to the shipyard workers, who up to 3,000 GT, representing 1.6% of the fleet’s
characteristically replied, “You have saved 600 total capacity. 11.6% of the vessels (213) have a
families”. capacity between 3,000 and 7,000 GT, accounting
“We are here today, the state, investor, and for 7.6% of the fleet’s total capacity. 24.1% of the
employees, to celebrate a great day for Elefsina ships (423) have a carrying capacity of 30,000
Shipyards. We have managed to secure all the GT, cumulatively representing 91% of the fleet’s
jobs, pay all back wages, and bring close to 200 total capacity.
million euros in investment to the shipyard repeat-
ing here what I had the opportunity to see being DROP IN PIRAEUS CONTAINER
done in Syros. Whereas the shipyard looked like a THROUGHPUT IN THE FIRST HALF OF
bombarded landscape four years ago, if you visit THE YEAR
it today, it is a living Shipyard, with ships waiting On Tuesday, 30 August, Cosco Shipping Ports
to be repaired, satisfied workers and above all, announced its financial results for the first half
satisfied customers. Because some people send of 2022.
their ships to Syros for repairs; it is inconceivable; According to the announcement, the Chinese
it has always been inconceivable to me how can giant’s revenue increased by 24.7% to $704.6
the country with the largest commercial fleet in million, while gross profits increased by 33.3% to
the world not be able to repair its ships in Greece. $197.7 million. At the same time, the total handling
This has changed in Syros and will also change of containers from terminals managed by Cosco
here in Elefsina,” the prime minister underlined. Shipping Ports increased in the first half by 0.8%,
On the occasion of the passing of the bill, the to 63,210,330 TEUs.
Managing Director of the Elefsina Port Authority, However, in Piraeus, container throughput
Mr Apostolos Kamarinakis, stated: decreased by 9.6%, to 2,144,064 TEUs, com-
“We welcome the passing of the bill by par- pared to 2,370,862 TEUs in the first half of 2021.
liament as it resolves the issue of the Elefsina Cosco attributed this drop to the port congestion
Shipyards and puts an end to a chronic problem recorded for several months.
that impacts the national and local economy,
the region’s community, the workers, and their
families.

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