The strategic importance of Greek suppliers for safety and the energy autonomy of Europe was the focus of the international Waterborne conference.
Our country is claiming a dominant role in Europe’s shipbuilding industry, with the president of the Union of Greek Shipyards (EUN) and the ONEX Group, Panos Xenokostas, sending a clear message from Athens.
During the Waterborne conference, the ONEX strongman highlighted Greece as a critical geopolitical “breakwater”, stressing that the renaissance of domestic shipyards shields the entire European strategy.
Mr. Xenokostas, referring to Greece’s position on the global shipping map, said. With a true and carefully structured speech, he highlighted Greece as the strategic “breakwater” of Europe, emphasizing emphatically that now is the time for an immediate change in European policy, in order to shield the autonomy of the continent.
GREECE AS A SOUTHERN PILLAR
The President’s statement focused on the repositioning of Greece on the European and global maritime map:
“We are not just a country on the map, nor a passive buyer of ships from third country shipyards. We are the world leader in shipping; at the European level we have the largest shipping industry, the largest tug power, the largest coastline and the borders with the most intense geopolitical tensions.
Greece is the southern security pillar and the central manager of the Mediterranean energy routes.”
Xenokostas explained why the definition “southern pillar” is not a rhetorical figure but a geostrategic reality: “Cables, data cables, everything goes through here. Greece is the breastplate, the gatekeeper of the entire energy and digital security of our region. So Europe must change the way it sees Greece, not as a customer of others, but as a manufacturer, designer and exporter of know-how.”
And he added about the production potential: “Europe must promote changes to transform the country into a shipbuilding hub for the wider region. We can design and build submarines, frigates, corvettes outright. We build tugs, RO-ROs, we will also build modern LNG-based ships.”
The “SEA ALLIANCE”
The President called for a nationwide coalition between shipyards, ports, shipowners, banks and the state:
“A fist to impose our own terms – the terms that Europe itself needs – by transforming our geographical location from a mere plot of land into a shipbuilding and technological fortress.”
Xenokostas looked back on the journey from 2019 to today, paying tribute to all partners in the ecosystem:
“Since 2019, miracles have been done by all of us. Greece of memoranda and crises has reborn its shipyards. With the Greek government taking a leading role, the US government changing the legislative framework for DFC funding to ONEX, Greek shipowners supporting our shipyards, ATTICA and Greek shipping becoming the catalyst for growth, and the tug and port industry coming to close a cycle of prosperity. This is the Maritime Alliance.”
The results speak for themselves: The ONEX Group has surpassed 900 shipyard repairs, with a target of 1,000 within 2026, a number few would have dared to imagine when the yards were handed over in a state of complete abandonment.
TELOS TO THE “SUBCONTRACTOR MODEL”
The NJC President made it clear that the era of “polite subcontractor participation” is irretrievably over:
“Our country can no longer be a mere buyer, nor can our dreams and national sovereignty be limited to percentages of participation in shipbuilding. We can, we want and we build ships entirely. The other European shipyards must see us as equal shipbuilding partners.”
“We are not here to do sheet metal work. Greece can design, build, retrofit and support complete shipbuilding solutions, from merchant ships and specialized vessels to warships and submarines.”
Referring to the strategic alliance with the US, Xenokostas stressed: “The US side is actively supporting, technologically and strategically. It is time for Europe to do the same.”
EUROPEAN RESPONSIBILITY & POSITIONS
Mr Xenokostas put Europe before its responsibilities, calling for immediate measures to accelerate the return of European shipbuilding to the international scene: “We call for immediate measures to remove the distortions of the European institutional framework that cause unfair competition in favour of third countries – especially in a market that is by definition international and globalised.”
He even pointed to a danger that is often overlooked: unfair competition within the EU itself, where the 2-3 largest European shipbuilding groups absorb all defence funds and programmes, turning the other shipyards into cheap subcontractors: “The shipyards are there to build ships, to build submarines, not to be in the 5%, 10%, 15%. It can’t be done.”
Specifically, on the institutional changes needed:
▸Removal of restrictions on State Aid: “A completely anachronistic institutional framework that only favours third countries. In many respects it is 180 degrees from reality. It should be updated immediately and become a tool to promote changes in the regulatory framework for the operation of European and Greek shipyards.” On environmental rules in particular, Mr Xenokostas was sharp: “Europe does well to legislate on environmental conditions but we have become useful idiots: we apply them, others don’t and end up being cheaper. We have called state aid what is really a tool for survival.”
▸”European & Hellenic Preference”: tenders that will give preference to national, social and environmental criteria. “It is not nationally and economically permissible, when shipping lines are subsidised or when Greek ports tender for tugboats, for companies receiving Greek and European money to build ships and tugboats in third country shipyards.” And he explained with numbers: “When a project stays in Greece, it doesn’t just leave a percentage to the company. It stays value in the national economy. Even if a merchant ship costs, in absolute terms, 30% more in an Asian shipyard than in Greece, the footprint left in GDP by domestic participation – in jobs, taxes, contributions, know-how, subcontracting and local development – is much larger than that 30%. It may even return to the country three or four times more than the difference in absolute value. That is real added value for the country. That is why we have to redo the national and European calculations from the beginning.”
▸Establishment of a European Export Credit Bank & Shipbuilding Recovery Fund: All Asian shipyards have a comprehensive framework of guarantees and loan packages with government guarantees. He also called for unallocated funds and new resources to make up a modern Shipbuilding Recovery Fund. “Europe in this sector is moving forward with two engines but with one of them switched off: while defence shipbuilding is making albeit distorted steps, the commercial-energy part remains in a state of endless discussions. If no immediate action is taken, the European seas will cease to speak European.”
The BIND
Concluding his institutional position, Xenokostas was categorical: “We are leaving behind the mentality of ‘it cannot be done’, ‘impossible’ and ‘let them close’. If demographics is the country’s biggest problem, the sceptics who for years have been saying ‘let them close’ about the shipyards are just as big a problem because they are condemning the shrinking next generations to economic decline.”
“We are not asking for a handout. We demand the tools to build our sovereignty. Europe will either be rebuilt in Greece, or it will sink into dependence.”
And he clarified emphatically. We are determined and we will succeed, whatever Europe does. Our proposals have only one orientation: to go together as Europe, further and faster.”
FOR THE NEW GENERATION
Completing his institutional positioning, Mr. Xenokostas stressed that the reconstruction of the shipbuilding industry is not about the past, it is about creating a modern production base with prospects for the next generation: “The country needs technical training, productive jobs and a clear development plan. We choose to give the next generations tools, skills and hope.”
A PERSONAL PAGE
In response to a more personal question from the journalist about the journey of these years, Mr.
“At the beginning, both in Syros and Elefsina, I was saddened by the look in people’s eyes, the despair, the desperation of unemployment and poverty. Hundreds of people, thousands of people, including their families, who had lost all dignity. Today when they all proudly wear their overalls and have won back their lives, their families, their dignity, they all have the pride of “we did it.” When I walk back through the shipyards and greet my workers, the tight handshake and the look in their eyes – that’s what I hold on to. Because I’m the son of a worker whose father was twice unemployed. It’s like shaking my own father’s hand.”
The Hellenic Shipbuilders’ Association is committed to continuing to be the engine of growth for the country’s heavy industry, turning every challenge into a national win.
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