Greece and Japan strengthen maritime and shipbuilding cooperation

Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, conducted an official visit to Tokyo to strengthen bilateral maritime and shipbuilding cooperation between Greece and Japan.

During meetings with Japanese officials, including Minister of Developmental Strategy Minoru Kiuchi and representatives from the Japan Shipowners' Association, discussions focused on maritime security, particularly risks in the Strait of Hormuz. The two nations, which together control 32% of the global merchant fleet, emphasized their shared responsibility to influence international maritime developments.

Key topics included port supply chain cooperation, shipbuilding investments, and the energy transition within the shipping sector. The leaders underscored the importance of working through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to establish balanced regulatory frameworks for decarbonization and the use of LNG as a transitional fuel. Kikilias highlighted that maritime stability is crucial for global trade, energy costs, and the daily lives of citizens.