The Hellenic Center for the Promotion of Short Sea Shipping (SPC Greece), which is represented by the Hellenic Shiortsea Shipowners' Association (EENMA), organized with great success on Thursday, June 13, at the Yacht Club of Greece the European Conference of the European Shortsea Network -ESN; Shortsea Shipping Days 2019, held for the first time in Greece.
The president of EENMA Charalampos Simantonis, and the representative of UGS John Xylas, of the Shipping ministry Dionysis Temponeras, of the HCS Vassilios Logothetis made opening speeches, while attending the conference were the President of ESN Mr. C. Stanca, representatives of DG MOVE, representatives of SPCs from Germany, Norway, Poland, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Malta, Croatia and other countries, an EIB representative, academics, as well as many members of the shipping community of Greece and Europe.
The purpose of the annual conference was to assess the modern challenges of European Short Sea Shipping as they emerge from the new regulatory environment and the existing European institutional framework as well as the emergence of opportunities and the transfer of good practices to enhance the sector’s performance and its contribution to the European economy.
The Conference 2019 focused on:
- the challenges with emphasis on the difficulties of adapting NMA vessels to new environmental regulations, the state of the European fleet, the reasons that impede the full integration of NMA into supply chains and green ship financing,
- on energy and fuel issues and the assessment of existing alternative ship modifications, the prospect of designating the Mediterranean as an ECA, and the use of LNG as a marine fuel with emphasis on the availability of infrastructure and refueling points,
- technological trends and how digital transformation leads to the gradual inefficiency and redefinition of existing operational models for the organization and operation of shipping offices and ships, as well as to education issues and the need to develop new skills,
- developments in the European port industry and policy priorities to enhance their viable and sustainable operation, port electrification as a means of achieving the objective of reducing GHG emissions and the need for incentives at European level to adopt as an alternative source of energy, as well as logistics issues and the role that Greek ports may play as cargo hubs; and finally
- the special characteristics of Adriatic-Ionian and the prospects for strategic development of the wider region as well as initiatives aimed at shifting freight movement from road to sea.
In his address, EENMA President, Mr. Charalampos Simantonis , referred to the need for unified and harmonized procedures and the elimination of bureaucracy in order to strengthen the role of NMA. The General secretary of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy Mr. Dionysis Temponeras, focused on the importance of NMA for Greece as well as the actions of the Ministry to support the sector. The representative of the UGS, Mr. John Xylas mentioned the changes that have taken place in the sector and the cooperation that is needed between the institutional operators and promotional centers. The representative of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, Mr. Vassilios Logothetis, stressed the importance of Shortsea Maritime to the European Maritime Transportation and the HCS’ strong support towards relevant initiatives. ESN President Mr. Costel Stanca stressed the role of the Network and Promotion Centers in informing supply chain partners to increase NMA share in all modes of transport in Europe.
Finally, Mr. Panos Kirnidis, CEO of PISR, referred to PISR's specialized services on NMA ships.
The main conclusions were:
1. The need to develop an integrated policy to improve the competitiveness of European Short Sea Shipping and strengthen its contribution to the EU's cohesion and economic growth.
2. Simplification of the institutional framework for NMA operation and the need to harmonize procedures at European level in order to facilitate intra- European maritime trade.
3. Need to strengthen industry innovation and increase investment in research to improve the operational and environmental performance of NMA ships.
4. Adoption of alternative energy sources such as Liquefied Natural Gas, electrification etc and the development of appropriate infrastructures in European ports.
5. Develop initiatives and incentives - at national and European level - for shifting freight movements from road to ocean corridors.
The annual ESN meeting took place at the sidelines of the Conference, regarding the future actions of the Network, in which the Promotion Centers of Germany, Norway, Poland, Romania, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Croatia, Malta and Greece participated.