“Protect shipping, the constant that unites the planet” – 2024-04-17 04:00:54

Greek shipping, the global success story, will be a fellow traveler for the common good, emphasized the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Melina Travlou, during the opening event of the 9th Delphi Economic Forum. He also issued a public invitation to the leaders of all countries and the global community to proceed with the transition of society with empathy, with partnerships and with respect “to the history we are called to co-create for the next generations”.

Before the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulouinternational leaders, businessmen and other guests, Mrs. Travlou, as a representative of a leading power on the planet, spoke about the global stakes, the need for a “change of mentality”, cooperation, the formation of a “common sailing plan” for tomorrow, highlighted the strategic role of Greek and global shipping in shaping modern history and human civilization and asked global legislators to shield in this phase of transition “the constant that unites the planet, shipping”.

Spearhead

The long-distance shipping of the Greeks has always been the spearhead of world shipping, emphasized the President of the Greek Shipowners’ Association, adding that it was and always is a pioneer and its vision is to focus not only on quantity but also on quality. “Thus, we created and developed the global business success story with a Greek identity and soul. The shipping of the Greeks” he characteristically said. He added that Greek shipping, owning over 60% of European shipping, is its backbone. The Greeks, he continued, “contributed and are contributing substantially, so that European shipping, which makes up 40% of the global shipping, ensures the orderly functioning of the international ecosystem”.

For the president of the EEE, it is of the highest priority, in this transition, “to shield the stables that work for the good of humanity. Especially for Europe, it is essential for the institutions to provide in order to protect the strength and competitiveness of European shipping”.

He asked for everyone’s cooperation, noting that “the great transition calls us to a common sailing plan”.

He characterized the transition as mainly a “mentality transition” He calls us to “come together” he said and addressed “from the historical landmark of the human intellect, Delphi” a public invitation to all the leaders of states, governments, organizations, institutions, companies: “Let’s move forward with empathy. To collaborate with respect in the history we are called to co-create for future generations. Shipping will always be here, a fellow traveler for the common good.”

The vital challenge

The entire speech of the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners is as follows:

“The 9th Forum of Delphi indeed presents us with a vital challenge. An unprecedented universal challenge. Universal. We are experiencing an era where parallel, multi-level transformations are constantly being born, testing our core. What we know, accept, follow, with what we feel safe, are turned upside down. The result; New standards, unknown and, above all, fluid, are emerging worldwide. It is clear that we are sailing in the uncharted waters of a great transition, whose particular characteristics also constitute a great opportunity: the exploitation of its universality, for the benefit of humanity. It is crucial, then, that we move into the future after first recognizing where we are and how we got here. The imperative “now” looms before us, calling us to formulate a course plan to lead the planet to a sustainable tomorrow. Speed ​​is required, but with analysis, connection and prudence and above all respect for the universal scale of this transition.

In this universal challenge, history can act as the wise mentor. And history is inextricably linked with man’s travels in the seas of the world. Through the sea, our planet was discovered. Ships have helped shape the history of world civilization. Shipping is a co-shaper of our History.

Whatever happens on the planet, it is the unshakable constant, which continues its mission of uniting peoples for millennia. To unite us. The seafaring shipping of the Greeks has always been the spearhead of world shipping. Always alert, in constant motion and open horizons. Always a pioneer!

It is shipping that highlighted and highlights the power of human-centered creation and leadership. The beacon of Greek shipping is man, who is always at the center of decisions. He firmly holds the helm of growth in every transition.

This is how we have navigated over the years and this is how we navigate the seas of the world, as the shipping leader. We work methodically, so that we anticipate the developments of each era. Always, guided by collective dynamics, our long-standing know-how and respect for our seamanship. Greek shipowners are constantly investing in newly built ships and equipment with high environmental performance, owning a state-of-the-art fleet. It is worth noting that the Greek fleet, which makes up 20% of global shipping, is also leading the way in the green transition of the sector. Our vision was and is, that our leadership is not just quantitative, but also qualitative. Beneficial to society. Thus, we created and developed the global business success story with a Greek identity and soul. The Shipping of the Greeks.

A timeless, strong, geopolitical advantage of ours, whose contribution was a catalyst in many emblematic moments of our history. From the outcome of the Greek Revolution, until Greece’s accession to the European Union. When our country became the 10th member of the then EEC, it possessed a superweapon. Greek merchant shipping, which – 43 years ago – strengthened the Community internationally politically, economically and commercially.

Today, Greek shipping, owning over 60% of European shipping, is its backbone. We Greeks have contributed and are contributing substantially, so that European shipping, which makes up 40% of the global shipping, ensures the smooth functioning of the international ecosystem.

The great Europeanist, leader, Konstantinos Karamanlis, stressed as President of the Hellenic Republic: “We must be proud of shipping and its people. Because they are not only an economic but also a moral force for our country”.

Then, a national message. Today, a European, international message that we are called to take into account. It is of the highest priority, in this transition, that the constants that work for the good of humanity are shielded. Especially for Europe, the institutions are essential to provide in order to protect the strength and competitiveness of European shipping.

The DNA and course of shipping is a model, worthy of observation, study and inspiration. And this is because, in its history, it has passed through many different eras, with faith in duty, calmness, and efficiency in managing challenges. Ensuring the survival, livelihood and well-being of human societies. Connecting cultures, peoples, languages, lives. Carrying, not just products, but also new data and ideas, which evolved the world. And all this she achieved and achieves by focusing on cooperation.

The great transition calls us to a common… sailing plan. It calls us to a mindset transition. He invites us to “together”.

From the historic landmark of human intelligence, Delphi, I am addressing a public invitation to all leaders of states, governments, organizations, institutions, companies:

• Let’s move forward with empathy.
• To collaborate with respect in the history we are called to co-create for future generations.

Shipping will always be here, a fellow traveler for the common good.”