The Greek Maritime Minister (Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy), Christos Styliandes, announced the start of a €300-million program to upgrade port infrastructure in the country over the next two decades, during a sit-down interview at OT’s studio at the 88th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).

As he pointed out, the plan would involve well-studied strategic moves that would preserve the uniqueness and beauty of the Aegean. He explained, however, that this funding is insufficient, estimating that around €5 billion will be needed over the next 20 years.

Some of the other issues the Minister touched upon during the interview were Greek energy in shipping, the costs of ferries, and illegal migration.

Stylianides noted the coordinated, discreet initiatives led by the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prevent an environmental disaster following the attack by Iran-backed militants against the Greek-owned tanker “Sounion” in Yemen.

Regarding the green transition in the sector, the Minister said it would be achieved in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the EU. “We will ensure the primacy of Greek shipping,” adding that it was a critical challenge for both the ministry and the ferry sector, which cannot handle it alone.

Maritime Violations-Safety

When asked about the problems facing Greek ferry services, Stylianides revealed that the ministry has, for the first time, penalized a significant number of violations (1,300), with plans to increase penalties related to safety and staffing. “The Aegean is a very difficult sea,” he remarked.

Ticket Prices

On the topic of high ferry ticket prices, the Greek Maritime Minister acknowledged that “the market is not mature. There is no competition.” He explained that it is a complex issue, noting that monopolistic routes have been identified and reported to the Competition Commission.

Regarding cruises, he mentioned ongoing discussions between the Prime Minister, relevant ministries (Shipping, Finance, and Tourism), and companies to strike a balance, especially in destinations like Mykonos and Santorini: “We need the cruise industry,” he emphasized.

Migration

On migration, Stylianides stated that anyone who believes the issue can be resolved for Greece, given its geographical location, is naive: “When we took office, we had very high flows, reaching 1,500-2,000 people per day.”

He continued, “My position is clear. Migration can only be managed in coordination with Turkey.”