Greece recently announced the completion of its marine spatial planning (MSP) and released the official map by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment and Energy. This milestone initiative aims to organize human activities in marine areas, establishing rules for the first time in the country’s maritime space.
Greece’s Motor Oil Group and Coral Marine achieved a historic milestone with the first delivery of bio marine fuels in the country. This move signifies a significant step towards reducing emissions and promoting a green transition in the shipping industry. The innovative blend used can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 21%.
A jury in Piraeus, Greece found the captain and first officer of the interisland ferry, Blue Horizon, guilty in a tragic 2023 case where a passenger was pushed to his death as the ferry departed port. The crewmembers faced charges for their roles in the incident, sparking national outrage in Greece.
The Greek Ombudsman’s inquiry into a tragic shipwreck in 2023 revealed that the coast guard failed to follow maritime regulations, leading to the loss of many lives. Survivors’ testimonies were confirmed, and disciplinary action was recommended against eight coast guard officers. Critical failures included delays in the search-and-rescue operation and lack of proper response.
The government ombudsman of Greece has concluded an inquiry into a tragic migrant shipwreck off Pylos, recommending a disciplinary investigation for eight senior officers of the Hellenic Coast Guard. The overloaded fishing vessel Adriana sank, resulting in 82 deaths and up to 500 presumed dead. Survivors accused the coast guard of contributing to the capsizing.
Greek companies Terna Energy and Motor Oil have partnered to develop Greece’s first offshore wind farm, in line with the government’s strategy to expand renewable energy sources. With Terna Energy’s expertise and experience, the joint venture aims to reach a total installed capacity of 6 GW by 2029, starting with a 400 MW wind farm by 2030.
Two maritime companies, Avin International and Kriti Ruby Special Maritime Enterprises, have been fined $3.375 million and ordered to make a charitable donation of $1.125 million for environmental violations. The companies admitted to pollution breaches during port calls in Florida and New Jersey, leading to a reminder of the importance of environmental compliance.
The Greek parliament passed a bill to increase taxes on short-term rentals and hotel accommodations, along with a levy on cruise ship visitors, to address economic impacts of natural disasters worsened by climate change. With extreme weather events straining public finances, the government aims to generate 400 million euros annually through these tax adjustments.
Turkey has rejected the EU’s Maritime Spatial Planning maps for the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, calling them “null and void.” The Turkish Foreign Ministry emphasized that the EU has no authority in maritime disputes between sovereign states. They stress the importance of resolving issues with Greece through direct dialogue and international law, not EU involvement.
The Hellenic Coast Guard arrested the 46-year-old master of a Bahamas-registered cargo ship for causing a shipwreck and disturbance of security due to drunkenness on duty. The incident occurred when the ship ran aground on a rocky point on Makronissos island. The vessel was carrying 4,100 metric tons of melamine pallets.
The vessel Sounion is undergoing an offloading operation near the Suez Canal in Egypt, aided by the tug Aigaion Pelagos and the tanker Delta Blue. Despite previous attacks on Delta Blue, the operation is progressing smoothly, with 150,000 tonnes of oil still to be transferred.
Greek seafarers’ unions representing critical ferry workers have extended their strike for two more days, demanding better wages and work regulations. The strike has disrupted most ferry services in Greece, isolating islands in the Aegean and Ionian Sea. Unions are pushing for a wage increase and changes to laws affecting crewmembers.
A crew member aboard the Equinox Seas tragically lost his life after falling into an open ventilation shaft during maintenance at the ONEX Syros Shipyards in Syros, Greece. The incident highlights the dangers of ship maintenance and serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols to prevent such accidents in the future.
Greece has recently joined the Clean Energy Marine Hubs initiative, alongside organizations like the World Economic Forum and OCIMF. The initiative, proposed by ICS and IAPH, aims to support the development of infrastructure for low-carbon fuels in the maritime sector. This partnership aims to drive economic growth and emissions reduction through public-private collaboration.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is taking decisive action to combat overtourism in the country, implementing fees and taxes on accommodation to address the influx of visitors post-pandemic. With record numbers of tourists, Greece is expanding its “Golden Visa” program and imposing new port fees to manage the impact. Initiatives to regulate short-term rentals and provide tax incentives for long-term leases aim to ease housing issues and boost economic stability.
