A package of measures to support the shipping industry, amounting to €55-57 million, aimed at containing prices of insurance, was presented by the Minister of Maritime and Island Policy, Vassilis Kikilias.
As he pointed out in Parliament, this initiative is being taken at a difficult time, as shaped by the war in the Middle East and rising fuel costs.
Mr. Kikilias stressed that the main objective of the government is to prevent the increase in fuel costs from being passed on to passengers, in order to keep ticket prices at affordable levels for the average Greek citizen and the Greek family, while ensuring unhindered access to the islands.
In this context, he stressed that the sharp fluctuations in international oil prices are a significant burden on the operation of shipping companies, as every increase of $10 per barrel entails additional costs that can reach up to 10 million euros per month.The total cost of the crisis is already estimated to be between €36 and €40 million, putting pressure on both the viability of the industry and the daily lives of citizens who depend on maritime transport.
With the package of measures proposed, the state is taking over the costs of the mandatory discounts already provided by shipping companies. In this way, the companies are strengthened without passing on the extra costs to passengers, while at the same time creating conditions of stability for the market.
Mr. Kikilias noted that this intervention has a strong social impact, as it covers a wide range of social groups already entitled to mandatory discounts on ferry tickets, such as students with a 50% discount, children with discounts of up to 75% or full exemption depending on their age, large families with a 50% discount, people with disabilities and reduced mobility with a 50% discount, the needy with full exemption and their accompanying persons.
At the same time, special categories such as permanent residents of small islands are also covered under the island policy. In this way, it is ensured that these discounts are maintained in their entirety without burdening either citizens or the sustainability of the routes.
He concluded by noting that the State intervenes in a fair and balanced manner, strengthening a critical sector of the economy and ensuring the island cohesion of the country, even in times of international uncertainty.
