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The Greek shipping market looks to be making a positive return to the market through

the adoption of technology and better training for crew, writes Samantha Fisk

The buzz words in the maritime industry have been focusing on new technologies that aim to streamline not just the[ds_preview] ships, but also the companies and the crews that operate them. Since the financial crash and oil prices hitting an all-time low, it was questionable at times whether the Greek shipping marketing would return to full force, but with a recent growth of orders and interest in IOT technologies, it looks as if Greek shipowners are now making a turn towards a more positive future.

Ioannis Chiotopoulos, Regional Manager, DNV GL explains: »The Greek market is becoming bigger. The opportunities that Greek shipowners are finding are in newbuildings, resales and are not having the same banking issues as Germany. Also, they are investing at a time where prices are quite low at shipyards.«

He explains that the Greek market is faced by the same environmental challenges that other shipowners are facing, but is starting to take a more proactive approach to the regulations that will be affecting the owners and looking at the technology on the market that will be able to meet the requirements.

One of the main environmental challenges are the GHG emissions regulations. Although scrubbers are being looked at as a solution that can temporarily assist in meeting the regulations, Chiotopoulos adds that: »The technology is quite old and is moving the pollution from the air to the sea. It is not something that will take us through time.«

Investing in LNG fleet

The Greek market has been investing in the LNG market by purchasing LNG carriers in their fleets. However, LNG as a fuel still provides a challenge not just for the Greek shipowners, but for most owner/operators around the world. Like many, the investment in LNG still comes at quite a high price. Tanks that you need to have fitted are still expensive and »designs have to become smarter,« adds Chiotopoulos.

Paillette Palaiologou, Vice President, Regional Chief Executive for Hellenic and Black Sea Region and Country Chief Executive for Greece for Bureau Veritas also explains the recent rise of the LNG carrier in the Greek fleet. »Obviously, a clear trend is interest in gas ships – although this is still a market for a relatively small number of players. But above the main trend is the need to understand the best pathways to both regulatory compliance and better performance. Compliance and performance are the main pre-occupations of everybody in the market. These are big issues that may determine who stays in business and who falls by the wayside.«

The question around the infrastructure for LNG still remains with only China and Singapore taking the initial steps in investing in this. Overall, Chiotopoulos highlights, LNG will only reduce CO2 by 25%, which will still not meet with the 2050 requirements.

Many Greek shipowners are still discussing other fuel types that may become available later on. However, as Chiotopoulos explains, Greek shipowners are quite unique and traditional in their approach, as most shipping lines are run by families the decision process can be a lot faster than that of a corporate business.

Interest in new technologies, such as IOT and digitalisation is also starting to happen in the market. Whilst this could be attributed to regulations, a need to modernise and meet with modern world standards is also a factor for many.

»New technology is here. Much of these requirements to meet new regulations and for better performance will be met, or supported by, digital tools, better data, connected ships to transfer that data and, of course, new fuels. We have a major cyber project underway with a leading owner and, of course, BWTS and scrubbers are areas where we are helping clients,« explains Palaiologou.

Wärtsilä has also said that it is starting to see more interest from Greek shipowners for its Smart Marine Eco System. Dionysios Antonopoulos, General Manager, Marine Solutions, Wärtsilä says: »How much each owner is willing to invest in automation/IoT depends on the vessel type. Bulk carriers are low cost to run, but LNG carriers require more complex operations with data transmission for propulsion systems and other major systems onboard.« He adds that Wärtsilä currently has maintenance agreements with some Greek shipowners that cover data transfer, but hope there will be more uptake in the market for IoT solutions as, »slowly we see digitalisation/IoT becoming a standard and will be a must on all vessel types.«

Another area that is getting attention in the market is the increase in training of seafarers. As the technology advances, it is getting seen that it is a must that crew will need to have the skills in order to operate and maintain it safely. Julia Anastasiou, crew director, OSM Ship Management explains that: »fully automated ships are coming. However, it relies heavily on safety and being able to operate the systems competently. I don’t think that we will see full automation as you do need the human intervention at some level. We see that shipowners and operators are investing in the future, making it easier for younger seafarers to join.«

The current Greek shipowning market is keeping steady, notes Anastasiou. »The Greek shipowners are between modernisation and tradition in that it is not so easy to move up the ladder. We do see a number in managers and cadets moving up and also more women coming into the market.«

There is also pressure from the market on costs, where some owners are flagging vessels out to the Marshall Islands. What the Greek shipping market does have to offer is that it gets on well with other nationalities and has a high quality of seafarers and fleet. There are still certain issues in the market, such as bullying, but Anastasiou opines that: »more people need to stand up and have a voice,« for these issues to be resolved.

The current year has been what can be deemed as a turning of tides for the Greek market, with owners now starting to make positive moves towards the digital information future and also to the new and higher standards that the new technology will bring.


Samantha Fisk