Posidonia 2022: International meetings that reflect the prestige of Greek shipping

In recent days, and in the context of Posidonia 2022, the president of the Union of Greek Shipowners Melina Travlou and the board of the Union has had meetings with foreign government officials as well as leaders of international shipping. The meetings reflect the increased prestige of the Union as a collective representative of the largest shipping body in the world, Greek shipping.

In particular, Ms. Travlou and the presidency of the UGS yesterday hosted the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Works of Malta, Dr. Aaron Farrugia, who is responsible for the largest registry in the European Union at the offices of the Union. The meeting was also attended by the President of the Maltese Shipowners’ Association, Ms. Marily Frangista.

Legislative initiatives at EU level, particularly those related to the “Fit for 55” package, were the main topic of discussion, with both sides reaffirming their common approach to the need to promote carbon divestment while ensuring competitiveness of European Shipping.

Also Mrs. Travlou and the Board of the UGS, yesterday received at the offices of the Union, the President of the Cyprus Maritime Chamber, Mr. Themis Papadopoulos and the former President and current President of ECSA Mr. Filippos Filis. Both stressed their excellent co-operation on issues related to EU-wide legislative initiatives on shipping and reaffirmed their intention to further strengthen their bilateral relations.

Also, yesterday, Ms. Travlou and the Board of the UGS, hosted at the offices of the Union, the President of INTERTANKO, the International Union of Independent Tanker Owners, Mr. Paolo D’Amico, together with senior executives of the organization. With a quarter of the global tanker fleet owned by Greek shipowners, the UGS President thanked the representatives of INTERTANKO for their contribution to promoting the proposals of the international shipping community to the IMO, especially in relation to environmental issues.

Finally, the President, Ms. Melina Travlou and the Board of the Hellenic Shipowners’ Association, received at the Union’s offices, Mr. Robert Courts MP, Minister for Transport of the United Kingdom. The meeting was also attended by the UK Ambassador to Greece H.E. Matthew Lodge. Reaffirming the historical ties of the Greek shipping community with the United Kingdom, the two sides pledged to continue their close cooperation, especially in view of the global discussions on the energy transition of shipping.