For many years, the month of September has provided a focused period for celebrating the maritime sector, raising awareness about its critical role in trade and the economy, and addressing challenges related to safety, security, and environmental sustainability. Greece, a global maritime leader, managing approximately 20% of the world’s shipping fleet, thanks to its long maritime tradition and strategic geographical position, once more asserted its important role at the international events that took place in September 2025.
The most important of these events is the global celebration of World Maritime Day stands, observed on the last Thursday of the month to highlight the importance of shipping safety, maritime security, and the marine environment. Other notable events included the London International Shipping Week (LISW) and the 11th Ship IT Conference in Athens. On the occasion of World Maritime Day, the Embassy of Greece in London also hosted a high-level panel discussion on maritime security.
Greece Strengthens Maritime Ties at London International Shipping Week
On 15–16 September, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, visited the UK for London International Shipping Week (LISW25), reaffirming Greece’s global maritime leadership and advancing cooperation with key UK and international partners.
On September 16, Minister Kikilias participated in a keynote panel at the Capital Link Shipping and Marine Services Forum, where he emphasized Greece’s leading role in global shipping and its vital contribution to international trade and economic growth.
In a meeting with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, the day before, discussions focused on the shipping industry’s energy transition and the importance of coordinated global action, leaving no one behind, particularly the industry.
During his visit, the Greek Minister also held his first meeting with the UK Minister for Transport (responsible for maritime policy), Keir Mather MP, to explore ways to further strengthen Greece–UK maritime relations, building on long-standing ties between our two countries.
Finally, in talks with senior officials from the UK Border Security Command, shared migration challenges were addressed, with Minister Kikilias highlighting the vital work of the Hellenic Coast Guard.
Panel Event on Maritime Security and International Cooperation at the Hellenic Residence
On 24 September, the Embassy hosted a high-level panel discussion at the Hellenic Residence in London titled “Setting the Compass: International Cooperation for Maritime Security.” Held on the eve of World Maritime Day 2025, the event brought together IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, senior officials, industry leaders, and academics for an in-depth exchange on maritime security.
In his opening remarks, HE Yannis Tsaousis, Greece’s Ambassador to the UK, highlighted Greece’s longstanding role as a leading maritime nation and reaffirmed its commitment to maritime security—both during its 2025–2026 term on the UN Security Council and during its current and prospective membership in the IMO Council. He also referenced key areas for international cooperation outlined by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during the high-level UN Security Council debate hosted by Greece in May 2025.
The panel discussion, moderated by Ms Elisabeth Braw, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, featured Mr Arsenio Dominguez (IMO), Ms Rosie Seville (UK Permanent Representative to the IMO), and Mr Dimitris Monioudis (member of the Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee). They explored today’s maritime security landscape and emphasized the vital role of international collaboration across public and private sectors, alongside the framework of international law.
From the policy sphere, the evening expanded to first-hand perspectives from the open seas via a live connection with Captain Athanassios Moschos aboard the Greek vessel Athens 04, sailing across the Atlantic. The voices of the younger generation were also heard, with remarks by Ms Faye Papadimitriou, who attended the May 2025 UNSC debate.
Ambassador Yannis Tsaousis Joins Panel at LISW25 to Mark Clean Maritime Day
The London International Shipping Week (LISW) is a global maritime event which showcases the UK’s shipping industry to an international audience. Ambassador Yannis Tsaousis participated in a panel at the UK’s Department for Transport (DFT) & Innovate UK Business Connect event marking Clean Maritime Day on September 18, where he exchanged views on maritime decarbonization.
The Greek Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the IMO, emphasized, among others, that Greece has consistently engaged constructively at the national, EU, and international levels—working closely with partners within the IMO—to advance shipping’s energy transition in a sustainable and realistic way. He also stressed that global cooperation, including the active involvement of industry stakeholders, is essential to ensuring the effectiveness of maritime decarbonization.
11th Ship IT Conference 2025 in Athens
The 11th Ship IT Conference 2025, was successfully concluded on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Throughout three sessions, more than 220 participants engaged with 40 distinguished speakers, exploring how intelligent and digital technologies enhance both business and operational objectives within a cyber-secure shipping environment.
This year’s event featured among its keynote speakers Stefanos Gkikas, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, who spoke about green transition and digitalization as the two key pillars shaping the ministry’s strategy, in alignment with environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) objectives. He further highlighted Greece’s active participation in the “Clean Energy Marine Hubs” initiative on the international stage. The initiative aims to mobilize the shipping industry to unlock global production, transport, and use of low-carbon marine fuels.
Source: Newsletter of the Embassy of Greece in London, July-September 2025; Hellenic Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy
Photos (except where noted): John Kolikis
Read also via Greek News Agenda: Greek shipping remains world’s leading maritime force; Greek Shipping: An important global actor in line with the Greek maritime spirit; ΒΟΟΚ ΟF THE MONTH: “Nautical Logbook – Sailing Through the Timeline” by Dimitris Balopoulos
TAGS: SHIPPING
