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Government Of Greece News

31 Mar 2015

COSCO China's Piraeus Bid Back on Track

China Ocean Shipping (Group) Co will bid for a majority stake in Greece's port of Piraeus after the country's new socialist government apparently reversed course on its opposition to port privatization. COSCO was one of five industry players, including the United States' largest port management company Ports America Inc, to show an interest in a 67 percent stake in Piraeus Port Authority in the second half of 2014. The Chinese company is an "active participant" in the bid for a majority stake in Piraeus and can make a "very competitive" offer, Greek Deputy Prime Minister Yannis Dragasakis said. The privatization of the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA), in which Chinese shipping conglomerate COSCO is one of five bidders, will be completed within weeks, said Dragasakis.

02 Feb 2015

Greece to Go Quiet on Shipping Tax

The New Leftist government in Greece is expected to avoid tax clash with shipping tycoons, reports Reuters. Many owners in Greece’s important shipping sector were in fear that the new government led by Syriza party of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will levy higher taxes that the industry can’t afford. Before election the party had promised to take on ship-owners and their generous tax allowances. Though Syriza has confronted fellow EU governments with radical plans to renegotiate Greece's debts, overturn austerity policies and cancel privatizations, its stand on ship-owners, by contrast, has been decidedly conciliatory. The Economy Minister George Stathakis, who is in charge of shipping portfolio, confirmed that his government has come to power to solve problems, not to create new ones.

28 Jan 2015

Greek Shipping Fears Syriza Tax Plan

Will the new government in Greece led by radical-left party Syriza levy higher taxes that the shipping industry can’t afford? A report in WSJ says that several owners in Greece’s important shipping sector are worried about this. Some owners say they plan to limit their operations in Greece or move out of the country altogether, if the industry is unable to reach a compromise with the government. Syriza, Greece’s radical left-wing coalition party has made public a substantial position paper that, if implemented, could lead to a flight from the Greek flag and even to shipping offices upping sticks. Syriza has outlined some rather controversial plans for the maritime industry in the country, and it’s got people all hot and bothered.

19 Jun 2012

Former IMO Leader to Get International Maritime Prize

E.E. Mitropoulos: Photo credit IMO

The IMO Council has unanimously agreed to award the prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2011 to Mr. E.E. Mitropoulos, Secretary-General Emeritus of IMO, Secretary-General of the Organization from 2004 to 2011, for his significant contribution to the work of IMO during a long and distinguished career with the Organization. In nominating his candidature, the Government of Greece drew attention to Mr. Mitropoulos’s many achievements, which have resulted in increased worldwide recognition of IMO’s organizational effectiveness and efficiency as a UN body.

03 Dec 2008

2008 IMO Award to Brazilian Seafarer

The 2008 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea has been presented to a Brazilian seafarer who saved fellow crew members from a dangerous fire on a ship. Mr. Rodolpho Fonseca da Silva Rigueira, of the drill ship Noble Roger Eason, nominated by the Government of Brazil, for his decisive, selfless action to rescue six fellow crew members from a catastrophic fire which burst out on it. The fire originated from an explosion, causing imminent risk to the lives of crew members in the vicinity of the explosion; yet, instead of evacuating the area, he repeatedly faced the fire and very high temperatures to save his colleagues, at severe risk to his own life. Mr. Rigueira was presented with the award by IMO Secretary-General Mr. Efthimios E.

04 Jun 2008

Last Liberty Ship May Go To Greece

Maritime Administrator Sean T. Connaughton signed a Memorandum of Understanding with representatives of the Government of Greece to pursue an agreement to transfer the ship Arthur M. Huddell to the Greek government for use as a museum. The World War II-era Huddell is the last ship in the Maritime Administration’s fleet. It is currently moored in the James River Reserve Fleet site at . "It is great to be able to save a bit of history from both our nations," said Connaughton. American shipyards built 2,751 ships during World War II, in the largest shipbuilding effort in history. ships crewed by merchant mariners carried troops and military cargo all over the world. The building and sailing of the ships, and their successors, the Victory Ships, were overseen by the U.S.

08 Mar 2004

Wreck Removed, Mess Remains

The wreck of the TASMAN SPIRIT has been successfully removed. The aft section was re-floated on Saturday, March 6, and was yesterday delivered to buyers at Gadani Beach in the province of Baluchistan, Pakistan. This follows the earlier removal of the forward section of the tanker that had run aground in the channel into Karachi Port on July 27 last year. The wreck removal contractors SMIT Salvage B.V., were operating under a wreck removal contract agreed with The American Club, the vessel’s liability insurers. Speaking in London, Brian Davies, Claims Director of The American Club said, ‘We are very pleased with the outcome. SMIT have completed a difficult operation under difficult circumstances well within the required time frame.

20 Nov 2007

Greece Announces $1m Donation to Straits' Fund

The Government of Greece has announced its decision to donate $1m to support projects aimed at enhancing further the safety, security and environmental protection of the vital shipping route through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore in south-east Asia. The sum will be deposited with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and will be used to support the ongoing efforts of the Governments of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to implement a range of projects developed and agreed during three meetings convened by IMO in co-operation with the three littoral States and held in Jakarta (2005), Kuala Lumpur (2006) and Singapore (2007).