During a working lunch at the Piraeus Marine Club on 12 June in Greece, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, outlined a strategic vision to boost the competitiveness and sustainability of European shipping.
The new European Commissioner for Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, took part in a high-level dialogue focused on enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of European shipping.
As part of the dialogue, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of a strategic approach to decarbonizing the sector, highlighting key measures such as ship retrofitting, compliance with the EU Fuel Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the adoption of alternative fuels.
Furthermore, stressing the need for predictability due to the significant investment costs, Tzitzikostas called for a unified EU and global policy as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) prepares to finalize a net-zero framework in October 2025, an agreement he described as historic given the current geopolitical and economic climate.
Tzitzikostas reiterated that maintaining competitiveness must remain a top priority, echoing warnings from the Draghi report. He also underscored the role of energy security and the potential to transform sustainability into a driver of economic growth
As part of a new shipping strategy, the Commissioner announced plans:
- to support shipyards in building ‘clean’ vessels
- promote innovation and the development of green ports
- establish financial tools
- expand the use of clean fuels.
The Commissioner concluded by urging industry stakeholders to contribute actively to this evolving dialogue, reaffirming that Greek shipping will continue to lead globally despite mounting international challenges.
