The overall action of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy in 2021, but also what will happen in its areas of responsibility next year, was presented by the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Giannis Plakiotakis, speaking during the budget debate in Parliament.
“The Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy”, stressed Mr. Plakiotakis, “participates in the great governmental effort, effectively serving many, parallel goals. The protection of our maritime borders. The safety at sea. The support of sailors and coastal shipping, to overcome the negative effects of the pandemic.The safeguarding and expansion of the coastal connection of our islands with mainland Greece, but also between them.The utilization of the ports of our homeland.The protection of the health of passengers and crews.
To all this, in 2021, a very important, new dimension was added. For the first time, the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy has an active role in the development effort of our islands and islanders. By formulating a National Strategy for an integrated policy in the island area and specific financial tools to support infrastructure and entrepreneurship projects, we create increased development prospects for our islands and increased opportunities for progress and advancement in island businesses and islanders.
In 2021, the implementation of the new institutional framework for lifeguards, led to an increase in lifeguard coverage to 87% and a reduction in fatal accidents by 10.2%.
The Coast Guard, acting with absolute respect for human rights and human life, has dramatically reduced the number of people who entered our country illegally. From 64,576 in 2019 to 9,699 in 2020 (85% reduction) and 3,777 in 2021 (additional 60% reduction). At the same time, in 1,165 research operations, we saved thousands of lives.
At the same time, the Coast Guard undertook the responsibility of the exclusive application of the sanitary rules in every corner of Greece, in the coastal shipping, the cruise, the pleasure boats. A total of 168,640 inspections were carried out and we prevented the boarding of tens of thousands of people who did not have the necessary certificates.
In the field of shipping, we have taken important institutional and operational initiatives aimed at improving competitiveness and upgrading the Greek flag, promoting digitization, upgrading maritime education and of course tackling the effects of the pandemic. The reaction of our shipping community to the new competitiveness measures was positive. The applications for registration of new ships in our flag in 2021 are 62% more than in 2020, while the Greek ship management reached in October 2021 the historic high of 4,900 ships.
Also important were the measures to support maritime work by subsidizing employer contributions for seafarers and financing contributions for the suspension of employment contracts.
Hard work is already bearing fruit and 2022 is proving to be the peak year of the development “spear” of the maritime economy and our islands.
For the ports that have already shown investment interest, the selection phase of the first contractors will be completed and we will continue intensively with the international tenders for the other ports.
For the first time, the Ministry utilizes resources of the National EDP, the NSRF 21-27, the EU Internal Affairs Funds and the Recovery Fund. For transport equivalent, barren lines, interventions in the field of shipping, insularity and ports.
At the same time, in 2022 we announce with EU funding, public maritime transport, for small barren lines, the backbone of insularity, with multi-year contracts and by the end of the NSRF 2021-2027 we will have allocated 370 million euros for this purpose.
Regarding the even greater strengthening of the operational capabilities of the Coast Guard, in 2022 begins the largest program in the history of the Ministry. Shipping and the Coast Guard, with resources over 340 million euros from the Integrated Border Management Fund and the Internal Security Fund for the period 2021-2027.
The choice of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the choice of the government, the choice of the political leadership of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, is the implementation of our overall plan for Shipping and Insularity.
We are effectively protecting our maritime borders.
We save lives in the Aegean.
We support sailors and shipping.
We are strengthening the Coast Guard and its executives.
We are implementing reforms at all levels.
We are proceeding with the development of our ports.
We give substance and meaning to insularity.
We are creating the integrated, modern, operational framework, in which the entire shipping industry will be further developed in the years to come.
“Those who know even a little bit about shipping, realize that this goal is not only achievable, it is absolutely necessary.”
.
Source From: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
