Chapter 7 Greek Maritime Policy and the Discreet Role of Shipowners' Associations

The success of Greek shipowners in merchant shipping has created a cloud of mystery about the reasons behind this phenomenon. The most frequently suggested reason is the natural flair of the Greek officers and seamen, which has developed over the centuries of living next to the sea. Though the drive and talent of the Greek seamen is not disputed, there are obviously other factors at play when it comes to explaining this success. The question asked in this chapter is, what the shipowners' associations' roles in Greece have been and how influential these stakeholders' interest groups have been in shipping policy formation. This chapter attempts to examine several aspects of the above question, aiming to shed light on the success of Greek owners in merchant shipping. Though the title of this chapter focuses on the role of the shipowners' associations, discussion is not solely limited to their roles. With this opportunity, the analysis provides an insight of what has been going on in the various sectors of Greek-owned shipping, thus adding to the analyses undertaken in other relevant chapters of this book.