The strategic role of Greek ports, the importance of institutional stability and the safety of port and maritime infrastructure were the focus of the event of the Ports Regulatory Authority, on the occasion of the presentation of the Authority’s four-year Evaluation Report, held at the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus.

With the geopolitical upheavals in Ukraine and the Middle East as a backdrop, and the pressures on global shipping from the developments in the Straits of Hormuz, the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, placed particular emphasis on the need to ensure the proper functioning of Greek ports and the shipping market.

“Safety issues are first and foremost and serve the citizens, travellers and seafarers,” he said, stressing that the rules would be strictly enforced in both government and concessionary port facilities.

As he revealed, in the last period alone more than 1.400 emergency inspections of ferries, ferries, tourist vessels and port infrastructure across the country, he said, aimed at protecting passengers, seafarers, port workers and employees..

The Minister described the port of Piraeus as a “hub of shipping, trade, culture and development”, noting that the strengthening of port infrastructure creates new jobs, strengthens the local economy and shapes a wider productive ecosystem around the sea, transport, tourism and services.

At the same time, he referred to the role of the Ports Regulatory Authority as an institutional mechanism that contributes to the stability of the port market, transparency and the smooth implementation of concession contracts and port services.

He said RAL operates as a “balancing tool” in a complex environment where government agencies, port authorities, concessionaires and the shipping community coexist.

She also made a special reference to the major challenges of the next day for Greek ports, such as cyber security, “smart ports”, energy transition and the resilience of port infrastructure.

The κ. Kikilias linked the development of shipping and port activities to the creation of career prospects for the younger generation, noting that the shipping and port professions can offer “hope, vision and perspective” at a time of international uncertainties.

“Growth in ports and shipping brings new and better paying jobs. It creates a whole ecosystem around the sea that can give back prospects to the people of tomorrow,” he said.

Closing his statement, the Minister stressed that the development of the port system cannot exist “in an environment of anarchy”, but requires rules, accountability, institutional consistency and measurable results, congratulating the management of RAL for its four-year report and its contribution to the operation of the Greek port market.