
The Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Mr. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis had a meeting with the Board of Directors of the Union of Greek Shipowners.
In the context of assuming his new duties and his contacts with shipping bodies, Mr. Varvitsiotis visited the Greek Shipowners’ Union and attended the meeting of its Board of Directors, chaired by Ms. Melina Travlos.
During the meeting, there was an exchange of views on shipping issues. The minister expressed the wish for close cooperation so that Greek shipping can maintain its competitive advantages, strengthen the Greek flag and its global leading role.
“Standing by local communities”
Upon taking up his new duties, Mr. Varvitsiotis stated that the Ministry of Shipping also plays a very important role in the interconnection of island Greece and its development, expressing his absolute satisfaction that with him, as Deputy Minister of Shipping, an elite representative of Dodecanese, Yiannis Papas.
He assured the local communities of the islands that “in this ministry they will have their ministry. We will be by their side to deal with all the living problems that the islanders have.”
The new Minister of Shipping said the marine tourism industry should be supported, adding that today millions of people choose our country for their holidays and they should feel safe on land and sea and we want them to receive high level services.
Regarding the development of the ports, he said that a modern island policy must be developed that will meet the needs of the future and will show exactly the developmental role that the ports can play for the growth of the Greek economy.
He also added that our country is becoming the energy hub of Europe, as the Greek-owned liquefied gas transport ships were the answer to Russia’s recent extortions towards Europe and of course to the great challenge we have to defend the rights in the EEZ in the Aegean and south-eastern Mediterranean .


Latest News

Eurostat: Women and Youth Most Underpaid in Greece
In the EU 18.2% of women are low-paid compared to men, against 23% in Greece. A staggering 43% of young Greeks are low-paid—the second-worst rate in Europe.

Public Services in Greece to Go Under Review with New Rating Tool
Public services will receive their evaluation scores and feedback directly, fostering a system of accountability and continuous improvement.

Istanbul Earthquake – Greek Prof. Concerned Major Quake Yet to Strike
Responding to concerns over whether a potential major quake in Istanbul could affect Greece, Papazachos was reassuring: “The fault extends as far as Lemnos and the Northern Sporades, but it doesn’t rupture all at once. An earthquake in Istanbul doesn’t have the capacity to directly affect Greek territory.”

Greece 4th Most Popular Summer Destination for Europeans
Southern Europe remains the top choice for Europeans at 41%, though down 8% from last year, likely due to rising temperatures and climate concerns.

Easter Sales Performance and the Source of €4–5 Million in Losses
Easter retail sales were relatively weak this year, with the only "real winners" being the livestock farmers who had lambs to sell.

Hotel Foreclosures Continue to Plague Greece’s Islands
A surge in hotel foreclosures across Greece’s islands threatens small tourism businesses, despite booming visitor numbers and record-breaking travel in 2024.

Athens Launches Task Force to Safeguard Historic City Center
The new municipal unit will ensure compliance to zoning laws, curb noise, and address tourist rental issues starting from the Plaka district.

WTTC: Travel & Tourism to Create 4.5M New Jobs in EU by 2035
This year, international visitor spending is set to reach 573 billion euros, up by more than 11% year-on-year

IMF: US Tariffs Shake Global Economy, Outlook Downbeat
IMF slashes global growth forecast to 2.8% as U.S. tariffs create uncertainty and ‘negative supply shock

First Step Towards New Audiovisual Industry Hub in Drama
The project is set to contribute to the further development of Greece’s film industry and establish Drama as an audiovisual hub in the region