A joint declaration on protecting the competitiveness of the shipping industry was signed on Wednesday in Limassol by Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hatzimanoli, Greece’s Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vasilis Kikilias, Malta’s Minister of Sustainable Mobility, Chris Bonett, and Italy’s Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Edoardo Rixi.
As they noted in their statements following the signing of the Joint Declaration, the four countries account for 75% of EU shipping and, therefore, believe that the EU must take their positions on the sector’s competitiveness into account.
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Deputy Minister Marina Hatzimanoli stated that important issues concerning European and global shipping were discussed, issues that have primarily come to the fore for the four major shipping nations.
“Today confirms, once again, that together we can achieve even better results. Our voice is growing even stronger. Our concerns can, in turn, serve as important contributions toward building a stronger Europe in the future when it comes to shipping issues,” he said, noting that it had been a very productive meeting with substantive results.
He added that “we are moving forward together so that, by adopting common positions, we can achieve better results in the future for the competitiveness of European shipping.”
Furthermore, he noted that 80% of trade is transported by sea. “Issues such as energy will concern and affect the shipping industry in the future,” he said, emphasizing that with today’s meeting “we have demonstrated that the four countries together—the four major shipping nations—can lead the way rather than follow.”
For his part, the Greek minister noted that it is very significant that, after a long series of continuous efforts “to unite our voices” on matters related to European shipping—which directly impacts the European economy—"we have managed to reach the point where we can sign this declaration, which represents our joint effort to support and protect European families—our people—by bolstering the competitiveness of the shipping industry.”
As he noted, nearly all global trade is conducted via shipping, and consequently it directly affects all prices—energy, inflation, products, food, and “drives the European and global economy.”
Mr. Kikilias said they would try to explain to the EU that the challenges facing global shipping and the difficulties related to “enormous instability, wars, and unrest in neighboring regions” should lead to a “prudent, realistic, and substantive policy, so that we can fulfill our duty, which is none other than to help in the short, medium-term, and long-term, to develop a plan for European shipping, so that the EU can be a leader in shipping, energy, shipbuilding, ports, and port infrastructure.”
He noted that today is a very important day. “I am confident that other EU member states will come forward and align themselves with realism and common sense, at a time when we must protect our people and our economies,” he concluded.
For his part, the Maltese Minister stated that they had a “very constructive discussion” regarding people’s basic needs, which concern the supply of food, medicine, and energy. “The overwhelming majority of these supplies reach our countries by sea,” he emphasized, concluding that “every time we meet, we discuss not only the interests of our four countries, but also the interests of Europe and the entire planet.”
Referring to the challenges facing the sector, Mr. Bonnet addressed both the geopolitical situation and the issue of decarbonization. As he noted, “Decarbonization is a choice we must make to protect our planet for future generations, but we all agree that modernization, decarbonization, and innovation should not place a burden on businesses and families. This is the most important message that emerges from our joint statement,” he said.
He also noted that “we are working together, in close cooperation, and supporting one another, while the idea is for the EU to back our position because, at the end of the day, this will benefit the continent and its people. We all want to move in the same direction, knowing, however, that we are protecting everyone.”
Consequently, the Maltese minister stated that the EU’s plans “must be reasonable, feasible, and realistic. “The coming weeks and months will be crucial for reaffirming our common position within the EU, so that we have a shipping sector that operates efficiently, without creating unnecessary inflationary pressures on our citizens, and so that the people working in this sector remain safe,” he noted.
As he emphasized, the fundamental principle in shipping is that merchant ships must have the right to free and safe passage wherever they are headed, he said, calling on third countries “to allow merchant ships to carry out their work and for trade to continue, because only through the peaceful conduct of trade will we see Europe and the world prosper in the future, for generations to come.”
The Italian Deputy Minister participated in the meeting online. The Italian Ambassador to Cyprus, Antonella Cavallari, who attended the meeting, noted that for Italy, participation in this group is extremely important.
“Together, the four countries account for 75% of the EU’s total fleet,” she said, noting that “we must leverage our strength to promote the ideas and priorities of this group of member states within the EU.”
The Ambassador noted that it is important to maintain the unity of the EU, but “it is also useful to convey the perspective of the Mediterranean countries to them. We share a common vision, common values, and ideas. It is important to convey this message,” she said.
The message, she continued, is that it is important to combine competitiveness and decarbonization without jeopardizing the interests of the shipping industry. She noted that Deputy Minister Rix, in his remarks during the meeting, emphasized the importance of addressing the needs and priorities of the shipping industry for the benefit of the entire Union, given that the majority of goods are transported by sea.
Furthermore, the Italian Ambassador noted that, beyond Europe, the four countries must also make their voices heard in international forums, such as the IMO.
“The decision to sign the Declaration is important, just as important as the decision to continue these meetings, with others to follow shortly. As Deputy Minister Rixie noted, we must also reach out to other partners, both within and outside Europe, as well as other countries that may share the same views and can support our vision and interests on the international stage,” he concluded.
