07AUG2019 - NEWS - Greek shipowners say maritime policy makers must do better

Climate change agenda singled out for biggest criticism by Greek shipowners in annual report. UGS says the political pressure being exerted by climate lobbyists is disproportionate in comparison with the environmental footprint of the shipping industry

GREEK shipowners have challenged maritime legislators to up their game to produce the stable environment global shipping requires to sustain business and meet new environmental standards.

Reflecting on a challenging 12-month period for shipping, Union of Greek Shipowners president Theodore Veniamis said that the industry needed “a stable, level playing field internationally” in terms of both commercial competition and environmental regulations.

Introducing the UGS 2018-2019 annual report, that circulated on Tuesday, Mr Veniamis said that shipping had been confronted with trade wars and increasing protectionist tendencies, limited sources of ship financing, and — above all — “great political pressure on the environmental performance of ships”.