Theodorikakos: "Made in Greece" in shipbuilding must become the ultimate success story

23:58 14/5/2025 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos on Wednesday said that 'made in Greece' must become the "ultimate success story" of the shipbuilding and ship repair industry, while addressing the anniversary event "700 ships - A vision" organised by ONEX at the Elefsina Shipyards.

According to a statement, the anniversary ceremony organised by the ONEX Group

of Panos Xenokostas was also attended by the Minister of Maritime and Island Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, George Mylonakis, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, George Kotsiras, the Deputy Minister of Development, Lazaros Tsavdaridis, the Deputy President of the Parliament, Athanasios Bouras, as well as Members of Parliament.

As noted, it was an event with strong symbolism for the rebirth of the Greek shipbuilding industry.

The event commemorated the completion of the 700th ship in the ONEX shipyards, the Neptune Odyssey of Melina Travlos' Neptune Lines Shipping & Managing Enterprises, an achievement that confirms in practice the renaissance of the industry.

"The wager we must all win is for "Made in Greece" in shipbuilding and ship repair to become the ultimate success story. Something that will honour our country, the executives of the companies, the workers and all Greeks. Because in this way it will reach the level of Greek shipping, which advertises our country all over the world," the minister underlined.

Theodorikakos referred to the legislative measure promoted by the Ministry of Development, in order to ensure the financing of the shipyards through the DFC, the US Development Bank, expressing his thanks for the support provided to a "national wager with a developmental footprint and thousands of jobs".

The presence of the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, at the anniversary event, marks - as the Development Minister said - the link between the investment project of ONEX and the confidence of Greek shipping, while he wished that the Neptune Odyssey will be just the beginning "for thousands of ships that will pass through the Greek shipyards".

He noted that "Greece, with one of the strongest merchant fleets in the world, must also have a shipbuilding industry worthy of its maritime tradition. We cannot be a naval superpower and import know-how that we can produce here".

Regarding the government's vision for industrial reconstruction, he said: "The shipbuilding industry, the blue economy of our country, is making a dynamic comeback. We are putting it back in the frame as a strategic sector for development and national security. That is why, for the first time, it is included in the new Development Law as part of the flagship and strategic investments."

Theodorikakos made special reference to the investment project in the shipyards of Elefsina and Syros, stating that "it creates jobs, produces know-how and is already bearing fruit in the real economy".

Finally, the Development Minister highlighted the link between the rebirth of Greek shipyards and the new production model: "Our goal is for Greece to become a shipbuilding hub in the wider Southeast Mediterranean region. Greek shipping represents a very important part of the country's GDP, with strong multiplicative benefits. It is up to us to ensure that this investment continues to be a huge success - for the benefit of the economy, society and working people."

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