Euploia Drydocks & Services Ltd is a well established company of highly experienced and qualified managers in the Marine Services, specialising in Ship Repairs and Conversions.
Its Core Business is to provide Repair Services through our Worldwide Network of Leading Shipyards, Workshops, and Co-operating Companies.
Its Products and Services Portfolio extends to the field of Marine Equipment, Spare Parts, BWTS, Lubricants, Bunker, Safety Products & Services.
The company’s Mission is to meet and exceed its customer’s expectations by providing Products & Services of the highest standards in local and worldwide markets, accompanied with timely deliveries and competitive prices, honoring always its contractual commitments.
Mr. Charis Valentakis Managing Director at EUPLOIA DRYDOCKS AND SERVICES LTD gives a very interesting interview about the new environmental regulations for the shipping industry, the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the competitiveness of the Greek shipping and its the sustainability in order to maximize its contribution to the national economy, the predictions for the future of the shipbuilding market so much more...
New environmental regulations and their implementation are very hot issues for the shipping industry. Do you believe that the viability of the regulators’ ambitious goals is more than certain to happen?
The global scientific community along with the commercial chambers and international associations have realized that the global warming needs immediate and radical measures to be implement- ed so as to achieve the required balance to global temperature rise. The shipping community, IMO, EU and many other countries have perceived the necessity to effectively contribute to the environmental awareness with the implementation of mitigate measures for the harmful air emissions.
The energy crisis - as a result of the war in Ukraine - creates an ever-changing reality with growing uncertainty and challenges leading to an uncertain future. In your opinion what will be the consequences but also how will the shipping industry respond to this problem? What will be the new normal for shipping after the end of this unfair war?
The Ukraine war confirmed the major role energy plays to every sector of the economic, commercial and even social life of each state. The war has revealed the risk to be energy dependent from specific countries and how this fact can disorganize the economic and development goals of each country. The war has also proved that the urgency to invest to the development of alternative fuels is more topical than ever.
With the IMO 2030 and 2050 targets for CO2 reduction, decarbonization is at the top of the agenda for shipping worldwide. Although the shipping industry has already taken important initiatives in the direction for full decarbonization this cannot be achieved without new fuels and propulsion technologies available globally. Are we going to overcome this burning issue?
It is true that the CO2 reduction targets that have been set by the IMO and the EU along with the GHGs upcoming regulations cannot be achieved with the current fuels. The regulators, the engine makers and the energy market in total should joined their forces towards this direction so as the alternative fuels to become a reality in the near future. The new investments, the national subsidized programs and the political decisions will power the R&D of many industry players towards this direction.
Shipping has proven many times that it operates with responsibility and efficiency towards the state. Could you argue that the state also makes shipping one of its priorities and recognizes its value?
Shipping is the longer means of transport that has been trans- formed its operation may times through the centuries. It is certain that it will be adjusted to the new energy regulations and that it will contribute to the formulation of a green maritime transport and will lead to a sustainable shipping operation.
How can Greek shipping remain competitive and thus sustainable in order to maximize its contribution to the national economy?
The Greek shipping must invest to its people who are the major capital of the country. Greece has excellent scientific personnel who can work and provide innovative solutions which will fulfill the decarbonization requirements but also excellent seafarers who will be able to operate the vessels of the new era.
Do you think that the recovery of the competitiveness of the Greek flag is a national goal that along with the revival of seafaring of the new generation will give a new perspective to Greek shipping?
It is certain that the competitiveness of the Greek shipping involves the Greek flag revival and the active participation of the Greek seafarers to shipping community. Greeks are hard workers, creative, flexible with a unique ability to find and implement quick and efficient decisions. These qualities are necessary for the progress and the transition of the Greek shipping to the decarbonization age.
What are the recent developments on the hot ballast water management issue?
The vessels proceed with the BWMS installation according to the IOPPC dates and the USCG timeline. From 28 October 2020, all BWMS that are installed on a ship shall comply with the revised IMO G8 Guidelines (Res. MEPC.279(70) or the BWMS Code adopted by Res. MEPC.300(72)). Makers of BWMS and shipping companies evaluate the BWMS efficient operation based on installation decisions, cost-oriented factors related to the equipment purchase and maintenance and operational costs to extract useful results that will be used for the development of the BWMS of the next generation.
How do you think current issues such as piracy, environmental protection, and ship recycling should be addressed by the shipping community?
The decarbonization concept illustrates the sustainable shipping operation from cradle to grave that involves all the stages of ships
life, shipbuilding, ships operation and scrapping. The notion that the maritime activity is restricted to the ship’s operation is no longer acceptable by the regulators, the national and international organizations and even the societies. Sustainability has been connected through the latest regulations with the cost effectiveness, competition and social competency.
The shipping industry has become highly automated and digitalized. However, where automation is applied to improve efficiency, there is an increase in cyber risk. Do you think this is a major problem that will affect the shipping industry in the near future?
The digitalization in shipping is a reality for the everyday activity
of the ships. Many aspects of the engine and deck operations have already been transformed to digital forms which lead to the necessity for the implementation of cyber security measures. The cyber security is a major issue however there are already effective solutions that are implemented to ships and shipping companies with the assistance of CS and IT companies’ experts.
What are your predictions for the future of the shipbuilding market? In your opinion, is there any serious chance that the Greek shipbuilding industry will revive?
In the near future, there will be some fluctuations in the shipbuild- ing market due to the transitional phase the shipping industry is go- ing through in energy solutions. However, as soon as the solutions of the alternative fuels and the respective engine modifications will be completed, the uncertainty will be terminated.
The Greek shipbuilding industry have all the prospects to revive. We have excellent technicians with great experience and deep knowledge of the ship that can contribute significantly to the shipbuilding industry. Shipping is in the Greeks DNA and the revival of the shipbuilding industry must become our national target.
* Managing Director at EUPLOIA DRYDOCKS AND SERVICES LTD