Page 26 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

ΙNTERVIEW OF THE MONTH

❾ What are your thoughts on the ETS?
It is a tax collection system, but luckily for Greek ship-
owners, it is not fatal as the majority of Greek-owned
ships are employed under different types of time
charter agreements. The charterer bears the cost.
I understand that of the 100 credits one buys as a
company, almost more than 90 go back to be paid
by our charterers. That is not the case for our reefer
fleet, as these vessels do not, in their greater part,
call at EU ports. In my opinion, the ETS is a tax but
not as detrimental to our industry, as it has not cre-
ated big problems yet.

❶⓿ There has been a lot of talk lately about
the use of nuclear power on board ships
to reduce their environmental footprint.
Do you believe that nuclear power is a
realistic solution, and if so, what would
be the expected time frame for its imple-
mentation?
I think nuclear power will become a viable choice
for commercial vessels. Technologies are now
quite advanced and controllable to circumvent
almost any possible accident. There is, however,
the question of the residuals produced by the use
of this technology, which need to be removed and,
Moreover, there are also logistical issues with the of course, the public and the political perception
distribution of new fuels. In the absence of available of nuclear energy. If some nuclear-powered ships
technological solutions, the EU has developed a are built and operated safely for some years, this
number of regulations which are actually meant to perception will surely change.
enforce tax mechanisms that compel shipping to
find better solutions under the present technolog- ❶❶ Your contribution towards the needs of
ical circumstances. All these initiatives are helpful, our Navy is substantial and multifaceted.
but the funds are used as pure taxes. The situation How do you evaluate the contribution of
will only change if valuable, realistic solutions are the ships you have donated so far? Do
ready. We are still far away from that, but R&D con- you intend to make similar donations in
tinues. We have to achieve a much lower carbon the future?
footprint, but whether we reach the target of zero My inclination and love for the sea have led me to
emissions remains to be seen. mainly support the Navy and the Coast Guard, and
As for your question regarding the viability of I must say that the country has rewarded me for my
Europe’s small and medium-sized shipping com- contributions to the highest degree. Ιn particular, I was
panies, I think that companies with solid structures awarded the Medal of the Grand Cross of the Order of
will not face any problems, regardless of their size. Honour by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Kat-
Healthy companies will survive irrespective of their erina Sakellaropoulou. This is the highest distinction
size. Europe has implemented legislation and is granted to a Greek citizen in peacetime and has been
trying to run ahead, but it also offers a lot of bene- awarded to only two personalities in recent decades.
fits for shipping companies to operate, especially The Hellenic Navy faces two major problems. The
its state aid guidelines (SAGs). When I was Presi- first one is the lack of funds to cover its needs.
dent of ECSA about six years ago, we conducted During the economic crisis, its budget, especially the
a study that evaluated how competitive the ship- operational budget, was cut down. The State buys
ping environment in Europe was compared with new and expensive ships and aeroplanes to boost
five other overseas shipping centres such as Dubai, Greece’s defence capabilities; this is in the right
Hong Kong, Shanghai, etc. The result of this study direction. On the other hand, it does not upgrade
showed that the situation in Europe is not bad but it or replace the lost budget for the operational needs
is not as good as in the other global maritime hubs. of naval ships. What I know very well is that ships
That is why only one in three ships built today is that are not maintained or well-equipped cannot
owned by European companies. operate properly after some years. The second

26