V. Kikilias: “Europe Must Act Immediately”

The need for more active and faster European intervention was highlighted by the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, at the 2nd Imerisia Economic Conference. He stressed that national budgets had been drawn up for normal conditions, not for wartime circumstances.

“My recommendation, view and understanding of the issue is that this move should have happened yesterday,” he said, adding that the European Union must make timely use of the tools at its disposal.

“The European family and European leaders must understand and recognise that they need to intervene earlier and more promptly,” Mr Kikilias noted, linking the need for intervention to tourist flights, ferry connections and the broader support of key sectors of the Greek economy, including tourism, shipping, services and real estate.

Referring to the possibility that the crisis could continue into June, he made it clear that “I cannot make a prediction,” emphasising that the government and the Ministry were monitoring developments on a day-to-day basis.

“Getting involved in a war scenario of this kind, at a time of global instability, is relatively easy. Disengaging appears to be much more difficult,” he said.

He highlighted the geopolitical importance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil and natural gas production passes, alongside raw materials essential to the primary sector.

“Between 80% and 90% of the global economy and trade moves by sea,” he noted, explaining that any disruption to the energy or supply chain has enormous consequences for societies.

Impact on passenger shipping and ferry ticket prices

Regarding the impact on passenger shipping, Mr Kikilias recalled that last year, following intervention by the Ministry and the government, port fees were reduced by 50% at all ports across the country. This helped contain ferry ticket prices, while competition led to discounts of up to 32% on tickets, vehicle transport and cabins.

“This year, the equation is more difficult, as every $10 increase in the price of oil translates into an additional €10 million in ferry fuel costs,” he said.

He also recalled that the government had already allocated €57 million to support passenger shipping. The funding was legislated for and is being distributed to ferry companies on the basis of their expenditure and fuel costs.

Green transition in shipping: A realistic approach

Regarding the green transition in shipping, the Minister stated that Greece supports the goal of a cleaner planet and reduced carbon emissions. However, he stressed that the transition must be realistic and proceed at a pace that societies and the real economy can sustain.

“We want our children to inherit a better planet, a better Europe and a better country. But we also want our societies, our families, our citizens and our countries to survive until 2050 or 2100 so that they can enjoy a better planet,” he said.

He underlined that a complete transition to alternative fuels, which are not currently available at the necessary scale, would impose a very substantial financial burden on shipowning companies. That cost would subsequently be passed on to national economies and the real economy.

Protecting citizens and the real economy

In conclusion, Mr Kikilias stressed that the primary duty of a government and a minister is to serve the public.

“To serve citizens, they must be able to go about their daily lives—to the local market, the supermarket, the greengrocer and the butcher—and their everyday lives must remain affordable and sustainable,” he noted.

He added that the transition must not create further inflationary pressures or place an additional burden on society.

“Industry will not be able to withstand it, the free economy and the market will not be able to withstand it, and above all, it will destroy our people. And that is something we are not prepared to allow to happen,” he concluded.