Athens, 05-12-2024
Panos Xenokostas, President and CEO of ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Group and President of the Association of Hellenic Shipyards, participated in the Forum “Towards greener shipping: a reality check”, organized by the Hellenic-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry and held at the Intercontinental Athenaeum Athens Hotel on Wednesday, December 4. Participating in the panel “TOWARDS GREENER SHIPPING, THE VOICE OF SHIPBUILDERS & SHIPOWNERS”, Mr. Xenokostas, together with top executives and entrepreneurs from the shipping and economic sectors, analyzed the challenges and opportunities presented in the effort to transition the shipping and ship repair industry towards a more sustainable and green future, in accordance with the new environmental European regulations.
ONEX Group, a leading player in the ship repair industry in the country and Europe, is committed to adopting innovative technologies and practices that contribute to the protection of the environment. During the discussion, Mr. Xenokostas emphasized that ONEX’s vision for a dominant ship repair industry is absolutely linked to the adoption of green practices and new technologies. Besides, the holistic modernization of the ONEX shipyard facilities, in Syros and Elefsina, has been underway since the first moment the yards passed to the new management and Panos Xenokostas.
At the same time, the discussion focused on the very important international competition and the legislative changes that must follow at the level of Europe and the member states, so that European shipyards can overcome the unfair – in some cases antagonism – competition resulting from the demanding EU regulatory framework.
The Greek example of the revival of the shipbuilding industry is a fact, thanks to the private initiative and the stubbornness we had, the President of ONEX stated characteristically, however, in order to be able to claim a leading position the next day, we will have to move to high added value services, that is, from repairs to large constructions and this requires coordinated reforms and modernization of the legislative framework, while of course maintaining excellent quality in services and times. Competition is international, stressed Mr. Xenokostas, and in order for countries such as Greece or France to dominate the world map, the sector should be treated as an integral part of shipping, enjoying a corresponding type of flexibility.
The participation of the ONEX Group in the forum is a continuation of a continuous effort and participation in dialogues for the sustainable development and reform of the shipbuilding industry. As a pioneer in the industry, ONEX has repeatedly underlined the importance of cooperation in addressing environmental challenges and transitioning to the next day, while in collaboration with the Association of Hellenic Shipyards, of which Mr. Xenokostas is President, it has proposed a package of reforms adapted to the modern requirements and necessities of the industry.
