With a speech charged with maritime tradition, the minister called on member states to support the Greek candidacy for Category A, underlining that Greece is not merely claiming a position on the Council, but is committed to actively contribute to the formation of a fair, unified and sustainable global framework for shipping. He also pointed out that global measures must combine environmental ambition with economic realism and be imbued with justice.
“It is an honor for us to be candidates in Category A of the IMO and to ask for your vote. We Greeks are people of the sea. We traveled the world. We believed in trade. From Odysseus until today, upon the sea we built our historical heritage, our economy and our future,” stated the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vasilis Kikilias, at the Regular Session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), noting that “we ask, with humility, that you take this into consideration and give us the opportunity to continue moving forward and working not only for our own rights or the rights of our people, but for a global framework that is compatible for all, that recognizes the importance of today’s fuel – LNG – and that gives us all the opportunity to collaborate and achieve many things.”
Mr.
Kikilias underlined that “we believe that global measures must combine environmental ambition with economic realism and be permeated by justice,” stressing the need for the green transition “to be done with care, so that economic and technological shocks are avoided.”
As he noted, “it is important to ensure that international rules will not constitute a punitive mechanism,” while “realistic timelines and reward mechanisms” are critical to benefit the entirety of shipping.
Referring to the operation of the IMO, the minister pointed out that “we respect, support and honor all views within the framework of the IMO, aiming for a safe, sustainable and effective regulatory framework,” insisting that “every effort must be made so that we can reach a global, common framework within the Organization.”
He clarified at the same time that “we recognize that perhaps no one can win 100% of what they seek through such agreements, however the maximum possible effort must be made, so that there is a basic, common framework of agreement, upon which we will all work and try to find solutions together.”
He placed particular emphasis on the risk of a fragmented regulatory environment, noting that “a mosaic of different regulatory frameworks and regulations, in states, regions, continents, can only lead to an extremely difficult environment for international shipping.”
He reminded that “80% to 90% of global trade is carried out by sea,” a fact which, as he mentioned, “means that we hold a tremendous power in our hands,” which is accompanied by the responsibility to address “the issues of green energy and environmental protection, along with competitiveness and the ability of the average family, all over the world, to be able to live in prosperity.”
At the same time, he stressed that “energy prices, inflation and the prices of the commercial goods we transport by sea across the entire planet, play a decisive role,” together with the regulatory framework for the environment, “in order to bequeath to our children a better planet.”
Concluding, Mr. Kikilias unequivocally condemned “all attacks against commercial ships and seafarers,” underlining that “as we move towards 2026, this is a reality we are called to face.” As he noted, “we all must unite against acts of piracy; it is unacceptable. It is a very serious problem for global trade.”
