ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEW ACTION PLAN OF THE
HELLENIC SHIPOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION OF TUGS,
SALVAGE, ANTIPOLLUTION AND OSVS
Our Association with a new board of directors announces new actions aimed at the consolidation and modernization of the following sectors, which we represent:
- the tugs’ sector
- the antipollution vessels’ sector
- the salvage vessels’ sector and
- the offshore support vessels’ sector
In some of these actions, we will make a special reference. The issue of updating our national legislation, which is considered anachronistic and outdated, becomes a topical issue, as it does not meet the modern needs and requirements of our fleet and falls far behind the current European and international standards.
From audits and surveys, which were conducted on our initiative by valid and technologically recognized organizations and institutions, the conclusions about the state of our fleet at the national level were unsatisfactory.These conclusions indicate that a significant percentage of the tug fleet in Greece is obsolete and technologically inferior to the European tug fleet.The age of the Greek tugs far exceed the European boundaries, while their equipment does not cover the modern needs and requirements for the safety of the workers, the environment and the port facilities during the execution of the towing operations.
The reason for these bad conclusions is the current institutional framework in our country and the competition in the ports, where because of seeking only the short-term profit; the fleet was not modernized and renewed, despite the fact that the shipowners make investment efforts, realizing the obvious necessity of modernization. The fiscal regime and national legislation do not favor these creative investments as well as technological efforts.
Therefore, our Association calls on the stakeholders and all parties involved to take into account this cost and consider whether it is appropriate to take a regulatory measure or make an investment, for the safety of ships and ports, workers, the environment and the public interest in general.
If such an approach is followed, the various efforts we have planned for the modernization of our fleet in all sectors will undoubtedly be boosted.
Our Association is committed and puts at the core of its goals the abovementioned issues.
In this context,in the sector of salvage vessels similar actions should be taken, in order for our country to acquire “purely” salvage vessels again, with the sole task of providing assistance in the maritime territory, considering that as a matter of national importance. Search and rescue in the Greek maritime territory, along with the protection of the marine environment, must be ensured. Our Association and its members set this as basic goal and are willing to make relevant investment actions, provided that the appropriate conditions are created, regarding the financial and legislative framework of these activities.
Regarding the field of offshore support vessels, suitable ships with specific capabilities and characteristics, actions have already been taken from our side and we believe when our intervention is required, we will respond successfully.
