Kikilias to “N”: Our priority is the safety of seafarers

The ceasefire connection constitutes a affirmative development, not lone for Greece but for the planetary assemblage arsenic a whole, arsenic Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias said successful statements to “Naftemporiki”.

He underscored the captious relation of Greek shipping, arsenic well arsenic the urgent request for de-escalation, pursuing heightened tension that triggered volatility successful planetary vigor markets, with increases successful lipid and earthy state prices driven by concerns implicit the information of maritime transport. At the aforesaid time, uncertainty has weighed connected the planetary economy, fueling inflationary pressures and disrupting trade, transport, and supply chains.

Within this context, the Minister stressed that immoderate equipped struggle is inherently destructive and carries terrible consequences, while expressing restitution implicit the announcement of a ceasefire.

As helium pointed out, the ceasefire statement reached betwixt the United States and Iran successful the aboriginal hours of Holy Wednesday “represents a affirmative improvement that raises hopes for a gradual de-escalation of the situation and a instrumentality to comparative stability successful the region,” pursuing astir forty days of tension. He besides highlighted that this temporary cessation of hostilities—reportedly lasting two weeks—could service arsenic a instauration for a lasting diplomatic solution, while making wide that the situation remains highly fluid and unpredictable.

“Attacks are a source of concern”

“Conditions are changing connected a regular basis,” helium noted, emphasizing that incidents involving attacks connected vessels astatine an planetary level are a source of superior interest for Greece.

Particular accent was placed connected the information of Greek seafarers, which helium described arsenic a “top priority” for some the Ministry’s enactment and the Hellenic Coast Guard.

“Our absorption extends to each Greek-owned ships,” the Minister stressed, highlighting the value of this work fixed the standard and planetary power of Greek shipping.

He besides emphasized the geostrategic value of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, which service arsenic captious arteries for planetary vigor supply.

As helium noted, astir 20% of planetary lipid trade and 25% of earthy state flows walk done this maritime corridor, making determination information a substance of planetary significance.

According to the Minister, these developments person nonstop implications not lone for vigor markets but for the planetary system arsenic a whole. Instability successful the portion tin disrupt markets, thrust up substance prices, and person a important interaction connected transport, trade, and production.

In this context, helium highlighted the strategic relation of Greek ocean-going shipping, recalling that Greece remains the world’s starring maritime power.

“This presumption provides the state with a important negotiating leverage successful planetary developments,” Kikilias added, noting that the Greek authorities continues to put systematically successful the maritime sector, arsenic well arsenic successful related fields such arsenic ports, coastal shipping, and cruise tourism.

Tourism maturation and strengthening economical activity

These investments, helium noted, are besides straight linked to the maturation of tourism, thereby supporting wide economical enactment successful the country.

At the aforesaid time, helium referred to the operational dimension, stressing that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs remains connected changeless alert.

“The operations halfway functions connected a 24-hour basis, maintaining uninterrupted connection with Greek vessels operating successful the wider situation region. On a regular basis, information guidance is issued and adjusted successful enactment with developments connected the ground,” Kikilias stated.

Continuous updates and guidance for crews are considered critical, arsenic helium emphasized, fixed the precocious level of uncertainty. Attacks carried retired done various means against commercialized vessels worldwide—particularly successful the Middle East—further heighten the request for accrued vigilance.

He besides highlighted the relation of unit from the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Ministry, who run with professionalism and diligence astir the timepiece to support seafarers navigating high-risk zones.

In closing, helium reiterated that Greece will lone beryllium capable to consciousness genuine alleviation erstwhile hostilities afloat cease and the information of each those operating astatine oversea is ensured.

Until then, the alert will stay astatine its highest level.