Maritime Minister Vasilis Kikilias emphasized the need for more young people to pursue maritime careers, which offer high salaries and significant employment prospects, during his remarks at the 7th Balkan Forum on the topic “Shipping and Northern Greece: Challenges, Opportunities, and Prospects.”
The minister announced an awareness campaign in schools, academies, universities, and local communities, aimed at highlighting the opportunities that shipping offers to young people.
“We need to reconnect with the average Greek family—and especially here in Macedonia—regarding maritime professions,” he noted.
Mr. Kikilias cited figures on salaries in the merchant marine, noting that a young captain can earn between 15,000 and 17,000 euros per month, while engineers’ salaries range from 13,000 to 15,000 euros per month.
High salaries are also reported in specialties such as electricians and hotel service staff on ships.
From 17 to 68 cruise ships
Referring to the development of the cruise industry in Thessaloniki, the minister recalled that when he took over the Ministry of Tourism, he had set a goal of putting the city back on the cruise map. As he noted, that effort was initially met with skepticism; however, within four years, cruise ship arrivals increased from 17 to 68.
According to him, this development creates multiplier effects for the local economy, as it boosts the hospitality sector, commerce, services, logistics, and overall economic activity in Thessaloniki.
200 million euro investment in the port
Mr. Kikilias placed particular emphasis on the agreement to invest approximately 200 million euros in the port of Thessaloniki, noting that the expansion of Pier 6 will allow for the berthing of larger commercial vessels and will strengthen the city’s role as a transit hub for Southeast Europe.
At the same time, he emphasized that the development of port infrastructure must be combined with modern road and rail networks, as well as with investments in the logistics and energy sectors.
200 million euro investment in the port
He made special mention of the agreement signed a few months ago for infrastructure projects totaling approximately 200 million euros at the Port of Thessaloniki. As he noted, the expansion of Pier 6 will allow larger and more modern commercial ships to dock, boosting cargo handling and strengthening Thessaloniki’s position as a transit hub for Southeast Europe.
At the same time, he emphasized that the port’s development gains real value when linked to modern rail and road infrastructure, logistics, and the energy investments being implemented in Northern Greece.
The Role of Northern Greece
The minister pointed out that the development prospects extend not only to Thessaloniki but to the entire network of ports in Northern Greece, citing Alexandroupoli, Kavala, and their connections to major road and rail corridors.
As he noted, the development of port infrastructure can complement tourism, religious tourism, wine tourism, gastronomy, marinas, and the services being developed in the region as a whole.
He further noted that upgrading the infrastructure will create new jobs, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises, and increase property values in local communities.
Shipping: A Strategic Advantage for the Country
Mr. Kikilias described the Greek shipping industry as a strategic advantage for the country, noting that, despite the small size of the Greek economy within the EU, Greece remains the leading force in global ocean-going shipping.
At the same time, he referred to the European negotiations on the future of shipping, arguing that the government has worked to prevent policies that would place an excessive burden on the shipping industry and, by extension, on transportation costs and product prices.
Among other things, he called on local government bodies and port authorities to collaborate with the ministry to harness the development potential of Northern Greece. “We don’t expect others to change our fate. We are taking matters into our own hands and shaping the future of our children,” he said emphatically.
Source: APE-MPE