Shipowners call for government intervention
Cutting red-tape, applying more transparency and wiping out bribery are the three requirements Greek shipowners have from the government in order to invest in Greece, London-based shippers have told Athens.
In a recent meeting that the head of the Hellenic Shipping Cooperation Committee of London, Haralambos Fafalios, had with Regional Development and Merchant Marine Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis, the former also said that the tried-and-tested administrative system of the former Merchant Marine Ministry, including the coast guard, was very important for the prosperity of the Greek shipping industry. It is also a key condition to avoid a mass departure of ships from the Greek register.
The head of the committee is also said to have written to the prime minister expressing the shipowners? worries about the reduction of the number of experienced coast guard officials in the new ministry. Sources suggest the government has grasped the significance of having a single department for shipping and will act accordingly.
