Page 32 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - SEPT 2025

Third-party management

of such an accident. Facing such an
incident is much more challenging than
most people are willing to admit. One can
hope that if there were fewer global
conflicts and if regulators agreed upon
uniform standards regarding the safety
of our waters and seafarers, then the issue
could be resolved. Different sets of stand-
ards often lead to disruptions.

With growing geopolitical tensions
and shifting tariff regimes, how
do you foresee global trade patterns
impacting the shipping industry,
and what role does a ship manager
like V.Group play in helping clients
navigate this uncertainty?
Historically, there have been specific
regions where goods are produced
and other regions where these goods
Dimitris Patrikios, MD of V.Ships Greece The rise of the so-called “dark fleet” are consumed. Trade has been the cor-
(L) and René Kofod-Olsen, CEO of V.Group operations causes growing nerstone of our society for thousands
(R), at the headquarters of V.Ships concerns regarding safety, of years and will continue to uphold
Greece
compliance, and transparency. this position. More than 90% of global
What is your view on their impact trade, whether it is energy, commodities,
on the industry and on responsible or other goods meant for consumption,
ship management practices? is accommodated bythe shipping industry,
As an individual, I am deeply concerned and I doubt this will change. However, I do
about the dark fleet. Accidents are believe there will be a shift in the existing
bound to happen. There are trade routes trade patterns. Throughout history, trade
that are highly trafficked every single day, patterns have undergone numerous
occupied by a fleet that does not meet changes, and they may continue to do so.
the standards set by the global shipping Typically, we only recognise such a shift
community. These ships are uninsured after a time lag of approximately ten years.
and not necessarily classified, and The shipping industry is quite resilient,
their maintenance is not carried out as are the people who constitute it.
in the globally agreed-upon way. These are We will find ways and means to support
the typical characteristics of the vessels any changes that may occur. Regarding
in the dark fleet. When taking into account the role of ship management companies,
the hundreds of thousands of tonnes the more complex the status of the indus-
of cargo they carry, one can easily under- try is, the greater the need for companies
stand where things might go wrong. like V.Group. Conflict plays out in many
My concern is that, with the emergence of ways that we are obligated to adapt to,
new regulations, such as the EU ETS, the and we are here to help shipping com-
dark fleet will persist in the future, con- panies do so. As the complexity of trade
tinuing to evade compliance with these increases, so do the investments required
requirements. However, it is not something by shipping companies. Compliance with
that the shipping industry itself can neces- regulations, digitalisation, management,
sarily solve – it is an issue we must hope engineering capabilities, and various other
politicians and regulators around the world operational needs must be addressed.
will help us find a solution for. If you ask yourself the question: “If I have
From a safety perspective, you can 20, 30 or 40 vessels, can I actually man-
replace anything on a ship within a age all that?”, it is up to the management
short period of time, but you can never company to provide an answer. Of course,
replace a seafarer who loses their life. there is a need for adequate commercial
This is something I think about daily, and chartering abilities, the capacity
and I hope I never wake up to news to purchase the right assets, proper

30 NX