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Union of Greek Shipowners - ΕΝΩΣΙΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ ΕΦΟΠΛΙΣΤΩΝ

UGS

The Union of Greek Shipowners represents a significant portion of the global merchant fleet.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Anna Panagopoulou (Cabinet of Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas)

9 Dec 2025 · European shipping

Meeting with Yannis Maniatis (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Nov 2025 · Update on EU shipping developments, STIP

Greek shipowners demand fuel suppliers share the decarbonisation burden

3 Sept 2025
Topic — The European Commission is designing a strategic framework for sustainable transport investment.
Message — The association wants fuel suppliers to share the legal burden of carbon regulations. They demand that all maritime taxes be reinvested into ship retrofits and fuel availability. Funding mechanisms should be overhauled to better support small businesses and bulk carriers.123
Why — These changes would reduce shipowners' financial risks and improve their access to bank loans.4
Impact — Fuel suppliers would lose their current exemption from direct maritime carbon compliance obligations.5
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Greek shipowners urge EU ports to become energy hubs

25 Jul 2025
Topic — The EU Ports Strategy addresses security, competitiveness, and decarbonization challenges for European maritime infrastructure.
Message — The group requests that EU ports be transformed into alternative fuel hubs. They seek to simplify reporting and reduce congestion to lower carbon compliance costs.12
Why — Better infrastructure and fuel availability would lower shipowners' carbon compliance costs.3
Impact — The climate loses if regulatory burdens push freight from ships to polluting trucks.4
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Response to EU industrial maritime strategy

25 Jul 2025

The Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS), representing 61% of the EU-controlled fleet and about 20% of global shipping capacity, welcomes the European Commissions initiative to develop a comprehensive EU Industrial Maritime Strategy. Please find our feedback attached.
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Union of Greek Shipowners urges EU to scrap regional shipping rules

8 Jul 2025
Topic — The consultation reviews the EU emissions trading system for maritime and aviation sectors.
Message — The UGS wants the EU to withdraw regional measures once global rules exist. They argue fuel suppliers and charterers should bear the main compliance costs. This would prevent double payment and reflect who controls operational decisions.123
Why — These changes would protect the Greek fleet's competitiveness against growing Asian rivals.45
Impact — Fuel suppliers and charterers would face new legal obligations and financial costs.67
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Meeting with Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Commissioner) and

1 Jul 2025 · Strategic Dialogue on the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy

Meeting with Stéphane Séjourné (Executive Vice-President) and

1 Jul 2025 · EU Strategic Dialogue on the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy.

Meeting with Beatriz Yordi (Director Climate Action)

1 Jul 2025 · General discussion on the upcoming ETS review and the challenges SMEs face on their path to decarbonization

Meeting with Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Commissioner) and

19 Mar 2025 · Exchange of views

Meeting with Polona Gregorin (Head of Unit Climate Action)

12 Mar 2025 · Exchange of views about the event Shipping Anchors the EU's Future during European Shipping Summit 2025

Meeting with Stella Kaltsouni (Cabinet of Commissioner Dan Jørgensen)

13 Feb 2025 · European competitiveness and the role of energy policy

Meeting with Sergio Oliete Josa (Head of Unit Directorate-General for International Partnerships)

28 Jan 2025 · Exchange of views on the Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors

Meeting with Yannis Maniatis (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Nov 2024 · Introductory Meeting

Meeting with Elena Kountoura (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Oct 2024 · Meeting with EEE representative

Meeting with Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair) and European Community Shipowners' Associations

3 Sept 2024 · Maritime Affairs

Greek Shipowners urge clarity for EU-established foreign firms

26 Sept 2023
Topic — Rules for attributing shipping companies to administering authorities under the EU ETS.
Message — The UGS proposes that the country of registration be based on the address of establishment. This addresses management companies incorporated in a non-EU country but established in a Member State.12
Why — This prevents practical complications for non-EU companies established within the European Union.3
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Greek shipowners urge more flexible EU ETS registry rules

25 Aug 2023
Topic — The consultation updates the EU Registry Regulation to include the maritime sector.
Message — The 20-day deadline to provide information might be too restrictive and disproportionate. The central administrator should not impose new fees on the account holders. They also want ship management companies to be the default responsible entity.123
Why — These changes would lower operational costs and simplify compliance for shipping firms.4
Impact — Member States may face higher costs to fund the central registry administration.5
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Greek Shipowners Urge Simpler Maritime Emission Verification Rules

24 Aug 2023
Topic — Rules governing the verification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport.
Message — UGS states site visits should not be required for monitoring plan updates. Company-level verification should be limited to consistency with individual ship reports.12
Why — This would reduce compliance costs by avoiding detailed data testing and duplication of work.3
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Greek shipowners urge reporting exemption for single-vessel companies

24 Aug 2023
Topic — Rules for reporting aggregated greenhouse gas emissions at the shipping company level.
Message — The organization proposes exempting companies with only one vessel from submitting verified company-level reports. They argue that reporting the same ship data twice creates an unnecessary administrative burden.12
Why — This would reduce administrative costs for smaller shipping firms by eliminating redundant reporting.3
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Greek Shipowners urge direct emission measurements for fossil fuels

24 Aug 2023
Topic — This consultation sets methods for monitoring and reporting maritime greenhouse gas emissions.
Message — The UGS recommends allowing direct emissions measurements for fossil fuels to account for methane slippage. They argue current rules disincentivise investments in technologies like post-combustion treatment.12
Why — Members could lower reported emissions and justify investments in advanced green technologies.3
Impact — Environmental progress is hindered because current rules discourage the use of cleaner tech.4
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Greek shipowners demand dedicated funding and sector experts in awards

7 Aug 2023
Topic — The European Commission is revising the Innovation Fund's rules for competitive bidding.
Message — The group demands dedicated calls for maritime projects using 20 million earmarked allowances. They request award criteria reflecting high abatement costs and including industry experts in evaluations.123
Why — These changes would secure funding for alternative fuels and reduce shipping's competitive disadvantage.4
Impact — Established industries familiar with EU funding lose their relative advantage over maritime applicants.5
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Meeting with Joan Canton (Cabinet of Commissioner Thierry Breton)

16 May 2023 · Shipbuilding and maritime industry

Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and BUSINESSEUROPE and

20 Dec 2022 · ETS

Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and European Environmental Bureau and

14 Oct 2022 · ETS

Meeting with Adina-Ioana Vălean (Commissioner)

6 Jun 2022 · EU maritime policies and greening of the shipping industry

Meeting with Margaritis Schinas (Vice-President) and

17 Mar 2022 · Greek shipping sector & Green deal

Meeting with Margaritis Schinas (Vice-President) and

24 Jun 2021 · Meeting with the Union of Greek Shipowners

Meeting with Margaritis Schinas (Vice-President) and

8 Jan 2021 · Covid-19 - Impact on the EU shipping industry

Meeting with Adina-Ioana Vălean (Commissioner) and

30 Nov 2020 · Introductory meeting

Greek shipowners urge levy over EU carbon trading scheme

25 Nov 2020
Topic — The European Commission is reviewing the Emissions Trading System to include maritime transport.
Message — The UGS opposes including shipping in the EU ETS, calling it unsuitable for itinerant trading. They advocate for a mandatory levy to fund zero-emissions research instead of carbon trading. They insist that charterers should be the party responsible for paying the carbon price.123
Why — This reduces administrative costs for small firms while making charterers pay for fuel emissions.4
Impact — EU transshipment hubs lose business as vessels reroute to nearby non-EU ports.5
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Meeting with Henrik Hololei (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

11 Nov 2020 · Greek maritime policy