Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias, speaking from Japan’s pavilion at the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), where Japan is this year’s honored country, underscored the strategic significance of maritime cooperation between Greece and Japan, with an emphasis on new vessel orders, technology transfer and the search for fresh investment opportunities. Kikilias noted that a significant share of newbuilding orders placed with Japan’s shipbuilding industry originates from Greek shipping companies, adding that Greek shipowners rank as the second-best customers for vessel orders in Japan precisely because of the high level of know-how Japanese yards provide.
The minister also addressed major challenges facing seaborne trade, which accounts for 80-90% of global commercial traffic, citing volatile weather conditions linked to climate change, fuel supply logistics and the industry’s technological transition as concerns shared by both countries. Kikilias said Athens and Tokyo are working to address these issues jointly, and, referencing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, stated that commercial shipping should ideally remain outside any military conflict. The remarks came as Greek officials separately pressed for a change of course in ongoing International Maritime Organization talks in London this week over the sector’s Net-Zero Fund framework.
Source: cretaone.gr — https://cretaone.gr/kikilias-apo-deth-sto-epikentro-i-naytiliaki-synergasia-elladas-iaponias/
Tags: Greek Shipowners, Japan, Shipbuilding, Thessaloniki Fair, Greek Shipping
