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The international cruise industry, and its Greek chapter in
particular, yesterday won a prize it has sought for years when the Greek
parliament formally approved a law lifting cabotage restrictions on cruise
vessels.
The Greek parliament voted on the details of the law following
its approval in principle. The vote could lead to an economic bonanza for
the local cruise and tourism industries, according to interested observers in
Greece.
Indeed, Markos Foros, president of the Association of Greek Passenger Shipping
Companies, estimated the cumulative potential value of lifting the restrictions
at as much as €1bn per year.
Under the terms of the new law, which is effective immediately, international
cruise companies will now be able to embark and disembark passengers at Greek
ports, once they have signed a formal three-year contract with the government
submitting to certain conditions.
Such vessels must comply with international standards of safety and
seaworthiness, have a minimum capacity of 49 passengers, and offer round-trip
cruises that start and end at the same port and have a minimum duration of 48
hours.
A requirement that ships must remain a minimum of 12 hours in port to take on
and discharge passengers prior to leaving was changed to eight hours at the
eleventh hour. Foros said he believed this was sufficient time for passenger
embarkation and disembarkation, while safeguarding work opportunities for
service providers in Greek ports.
Commenting on the law, Foros said he was ‘very happy’ it had passed, adding: ‘I
hope tourism will increase and revenues will grow. If Greek ports can reach the
same level, not as the Italian ports, which are clearly number one, but as the
ports of Spain, we could see an increase in revenues of €1bn.
‘My only concern is whether various leftist parties will abide by the law,’ he
added, citing disruptions to cruise calls earlier this year by union members who
opposed the proposed changes to the cabotage laws on the grounds that they would
hit jobs.
Passengers from several vessels had trouble returning to their ships after
seafarers from the Hellenic Seamen’s Federation blockaded the cruise terminal in
Piraeus. To the dismay of the local cruise and tourism community, Pullmantur
responded by diverting Zenith from Piraeus to Malta for one call.
Foros acknowledged there had been no threat of similar action since the bill had
passed, but he also noted ‘this is a situation that may arise next year.’ He
argued that ‘if they don’t abide by the law, the government will have to
respond.’
Smaller ports could clearly benefit from fresh investment as the impact of the
changes hits home, but larger facilities are ready to handle any increase in
throughput, he said. ‘Investment is not 100% necessary because cruise ships are
already calling. It is just that they are not embarking or disembarking
passengers.’
He added that Greece is already a major global cruise destination, with as many
as 1.8m passengers per year visiting the country. |
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Worldwide Travel & Cruise Assoc., Inc.
150 S. University Dr. Ste E,
Plantation, FL 33324 - USA
Tel: +1 954 452 8800 Fax: +1 954
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