Scaramanga Shipyards: Green light for their immediate development

By Anastasia Vamvaka

The draft law of the Ministry of Finance entitled “Integrated framework for the implementation of sustainable development prospects and the re-operation of the Scaramanga Shipyards” is under public consultation and will remain on Open.gov until June 20.

With the bill, the Ministry of Finance solves the serious bureaucratic reefs that essentially blocked the investment plan of the shipowner George Prokopiou, which has a dual goal: both the defense activity, ie the installation of electronic systems and modern technologies in warships of the Navy. but also the maintenance, conversion and construction of yachts.

According to the Ministry, the draft law “addresses the key issue for the national economy and national defense of the absence of an integrated regulatory framework for the development, development and promotion of Scaramanga Shipyards, in view of the need for their re-operation , in terms that correspond to modern data “. Scaramanga Shipyards are under the Rapid Licensing Strategic Investment Scheme

The provisions of the bill may include other existing shipbuilding installations, the importance of which is considered respectively important for the national economy, development, national defense and security, environment and social cohesion.

The new land uses

According to Article 3, which defines the general framework of integrated development, land uses include low, medium and high nuisance craft and industrial facilities, professional laboratories, administration, care, trade and personal services, offices, parking, service stations. fuel and energy, low, medium and high nuisance warehouses, logistics facilities, public transport facilities, tourism – leisure or tourist ports, packaging and materials recycling facilities, electricity, gas and telecommunication production, storage and transmission facilities, water supply, related facilities, as well as Renewable Energy Facilities, military installations.

“I bought the Scaramanga Shipyards because I was overwhelmed by the vision of reviving them and focusing on new technologies and new possibilities. To rely on young children. Not to give our money abroad to build ships and at the critical moment to take out the electronics “We have the firsts in shipping, we have to get the firsts in the shipbuilding industry as well”, said the shipowner G. Economou at the Delphi Forum, in a speech that none of the attendees will easily forget about the impetus and the decalogue criticism of the difficulties he faces in his investment plans.

The bill also seeks to find innovative energy solutions – perhaps one of the shipowner’s most important investment projects, including FSRU facilities – while providing the opportunity for energy efficiency of the Shipyards through the production of sustainable alternative energy sources. .

It is recalled that George Prokopiou has entered into a charter agreement for two Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRU) by the German government. The FSRUs will supply LNG, effectively assisting the country in its quest for independence from Russian gas.

The Integrated Development Plan that will be issued in a Presidential Decree, will also determine the more specific terms, restrictions and conditions for the realization of the investment, such as:

a. the minimum amount of the investment, the sources and in principle the financiers of the new investment. The value of the acquisition of the area of ​​the Shipyards is obligatorily calculated at the amount of the investment,

b. the obligation of the investment body to create a certain minimum number of jobs, in particular, in sectors of growth and innovation, as well as the obligation to maintain these positions for at least five (5) years from the implementation of the investment for the development and operation of Shipyards,

c. the terms and conditions for the development of the Shipyards, the compensatory benefits to the local community and the State, a program for the restoration of the natural environment in the wider area and the development of corporate social responsibility programs for a period of at least five (5) years from the implementation of the investment,

d. the sanctions that are imposed, by specific bodies and with observance of a specific procedure, in case of non-observance of the conditions of implementation of the investment plan,

e. any other measure, condition, obligation or restriction required to achieve the utilization and full development and operation of the Shipyards.