1st February 2025 – 7th February 2025
LOCAL NEWS
1. 15th Annual Capital Link Greek Shipping Forum – Global Maritime Leaders meet with CUS Delegation On Friday, 7th February 2025, the 15th Annual Capital Link Greek Shipping Forum took place at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Athens in Greece. The Conference provided a platform to address the most critical trends, challenges and opportunities within the shipping industry, focusing on strategies to maintain competitiveness amidst evolving geopolitical, regulatory and economic conditions.
Among the distinguished panelists and speakers was the H.E. Christos Stylianides, Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy of the Hellenic Republic, Ms. Elissavet Vozemberg – Vrionidi, Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism at the EU Parliament, Mr. Guy Platten, Secretary General of the ICS and Dr. Dorota Lost-Sieminska, Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations at the IMO. The Vice-President of our Union Mr. Polys V. Hajioannou, also participated in a key panel discussion titled “Fuel & Fleet Strategies: Driving the Shipping Energy Transition”.
The Conference also provided an opportunity for high-level discussions with prominent industry stakeholders. A delegation from our Union, including Mr. Andreas Hadjiyiannis, Mr. Polys V. Hajioannou, Mrs. Nicole Mylona and Mr. Vasilis Hajioannou, held a series of meetings with key representatives such as, Mr. Guy Platten, Secretary General of the ICS, Dr. Gaby Bornheim, President of the German Shipowners' Association and Managing Director of Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG, Mr. Hing Chao, Executive Chairman of Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings and Co-Founder & Chairman of the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping, Dr. Dorota Lost-Sieminska, Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations at the IMO, Ms. Fotini Ioannidou, Director, DG for Mobility & Transport, Ms. Elissavet Vozemberg – Vrionidi, Mr. Nikolaus Schües, President & Chairperson of the Board, BIMCO and CEO of Reederei F. Laeisz and Mr. Mikki Koskinen, Managing Director of ESL Shipping Ltd. and Vice-President of ECSA. Discussions centered on the role of Shipping in International Trade, Environmental Regulations and Ship Recycling Policies. In particular:
The CUS representatives underscored the strategic importance of European shipping in sustaining global trade, maintaining low transportation costs and ensuring a competitive market. They emphasized that European shipping has played a vital role in expanding maritime trade and transforming it into an efficient, cost-effective sector.
However, concerns were raised regarding the growing dominance of Asian markets, particularly China, in global shipping. The delegation highlighted the urgent need to safeguard European shipping from a potential Asian monopoly, which poses a significant risk to the principles of free and fair competition.
On Environmental issues, the CUS representatives addressed the disproportionate burden imposed on shipowners under the EU Emissions Trading Schemes. Actual vessel operators, who are directly responsible for emissions, face minimal accountability. The delegation called for a regulatory framework, ensuring the responsibility of commercial operator in cases where an Owner despite exercising due diligence is unable to collect the allowances from the responsible party.
Another critical issue raised was the lack of EU-approved ship recycling yards accessible to Cyprus-flagged vessels. Currently, the only EU - approved yards are located in Turkey, which imposes an embargo on Cyprus despite such yards in many cases being financed by Europe. This creates significant operational challenges for Cyprus-flagged vessels. To address this, the Union urged for an exemption, allowing Cyprus-flagged ships to use non-EU-approved recycling yards without penalties, ensuring fair treatment within the EU regulatory framework.
These discussions highlight the Union's commitment to ensuring fair treatment for Cyprus-flagged vessels and advocating for a sustainable and balanced approach to environmental regulations and ship recycling practices. As the industry continues to face significant challenges, these conversations represent vital steps towards ensuring the continued success and competitiveness of global shipping.
Related Article:
Capital Link - 15th Annual Capital Link Greek Shipping Forum
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
2. Electronic Bills of Lading: Notification of New Process
In a recent announcement, the International Group of P&I Clubs has introduced a new process for the approval of electronic bill of lading systems. This new process takes into account recent legislative developments that recognise electronic bills of lading as equivalent to their paper counterparts.
The Group is pleased to announce that effective 20th February 2025, paperless trading systems will be ‘deemed approved’, if they comply with certain requirements. The requirements for ‘deemed approval’ are:
- the system permits ‘compliant’ electronic bills of lading (‘E-bills’) only, meaning E-bills which are subject to a governing law which gives legal recognition to them as equivalent to paper bills of lading; and
- the system is reliable and is evidenced as such, as set out at paragraph 7 ii) below.
To assist members, going forward, any system provider that approaches the Group for approval of their system, and which meets requirements, will be listed on the Group’s website.
Additional Information:
- The Group's list of requirements for electronic trading system providers is available here.
- The Group's required process for E-Bill Providers is available here.
- With their consent, all approved systems providers are listed here.
For more information about electronic bills of lading: Electronic bills of lading - FAQs - The International Group of P&I Clubs.
On 6 February, BIMCO announced its support to this initiative, as it aligns with IG’s commitment to embracing technology and innovation within the maritime industry. The transition to electronic bills of lading offers numerous advantages, including improved efficiency, reduced paperwork, and enhanced security.
Related Articles:
IG P&I 4/2 - Electronic Bills of Lading: Notification of New Process
BIMCO 6/2 - BIMCO supports International Group's new electronic bill of lading approval process
3. US TREASURY REPORT
The US Treasury Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.
Related Article:
Attachment 1: US Treasury Report for week 01/02/2025 – 07/02/2025
4. PIRACY REPORT
The Piracy Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.
Related Article:
Attachment 2:Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report, for the period between 08/01/2025 – 05/02/2025
Nothing important to report from the House of Representative, the IMO and the ILO.