Shipping and ESG
Greek shipping is at the forefront of global transformation. At the heart of these changes lies ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance.
The investments required for the transition are estimated by the Getting to Zero Coalition at over 1 to 1.5 trillion dollars by 2050.
The goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 marks an era that requires radical changes in the way ships are designed, built, and operated.
Although shipping accounts for only 2.8% of global CO₂ emissions, it carries around 90% of global trade.
The shipping sector is highly efficient in terms of emissions per ton-kilometer — but the sheer scale of the industry leaves no room for complacency
The requirement to transition to low or zero-emission vessels defines a new framework that shipping companies must integrate into their operations.
Greece, with a fleet representing 20% of global capacity and approximately 5,500 vessels, stands at the heart of this transition.
Greek shipping is a geostrategic multiplier of influence with a significant contribution to the national economy, now estimated at over 20 billion euros annually (IOBE, 2023).
Summary of the Initiative: Shipping and ESG
The aim is not merely compliance with regulations. It is about shaping a new productive and technological model that positions Greece as a leader in innovation. This requires:
- Upgrading the existing fleet
- Infrastructure for new fuels
- Creation of a maritime research and technology ecosystem
- Institutional support and international cooperation
Global developments leave no room for delay. Every investment made today must account for the technological horizon of 2040 and 2050.
In a sector as globalized and technologically demanding as shipping, a country’s capacity to innovate within its borders is a critical factor of competitiveness.
Greece, despite its strategic location and the global dominance of its fleet, does not yet have an institutionalized body for research, technology, and knowledge transfer in the shipping sector. The idea of creating a Maritime Center for Innovation and Technology was proposed during the discussion — both as a need and as an opportunity. Such a center could serve as:
- an institutional bridge between business, academia, and the state,
- an accelerator of technology adoption and marinization (adapting research outcomes to real vessel conditions),
a platform for developing pilot projects and benchmarking ESG applications.
Komvos, during its 2nd Annual Conference in November 2024, announced the initiative to establish such a center. A discussion followed with the participation of (in alphabetical order): Prof. Hercules Haralambides, Professor of Maritime Economics and Logistics, Mr. Christos Megalou, CEO of Piraeus Bank, Ms. Eleni Polychronopoulou, President of HEMEXPO and ERMA FIRST GROUP, and shipowner Mr. George Prokopiou.
The discussion was moderated by the head of the initiative, entrepreneur and Treasurer of Komvos, Harris Antoniou.
Progress of the Initiative
An Advisory Board has been formed with the participation of: Prof. Hercules Haralambides, honorary President of Komvos John Papanikolaou, economist John Platsidakis, and Prof. Sotirios Theofanis. The committee keeps expanding to include other members of Komvos who specialize in the shipping sector.
Komvos is collaborating with Deloitte, which has undertaken the pro bono preparation of the initial design for the shipping cluster and shipping fund, with a focus on ESG and, more specifically, Net Zero.
Join Komvos initiatives or propose your own idea here!
Greek Shipping and ESG: A Historic Opportunity for Leadership
In the context of the 2nd Working Conference of the Komvos, the importance of ESG (Environment, Society, Governance) as a strategic tool that can strengthen Greece’s position at the forefront of the shipping industry was highlighted. Learn more here.
Shipping at the Heart of the Greek Economy and Komvos’ Initiatives
Entrepreneur Harris Antoniou provides a brief introduction to the initiatives that Komvos is planning around shipping, which is a major pillar of the Greek economy and global Hellenism. Read more here.
Komvos-Node at the 8th Shipping Conference of Naftemporiki
Geopolitical developments, international maritime trade, the shipping industry, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and bank lending are the topics being addressed at the 8th Shipping Conference of Naftemporiki, titled “Critical Decisions.” Click here for details.
Prof. Hercules Haralambides: The Most Influential Academic in Shipping
that Prof. Hercules Haralambides, founding member of Komvos and member of the advisory board for our Shipping and ESG initiative, has been recognized as the most influential academic in the field of Shipping and Port Management according to the Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) indicator. Click here for more details.
Διαγωνισμός για την επιστημονική έρευνα σε θέματα χρηματοοικονομικής ενδυνάμωσης
Στο πλαίσιο της δράσης ΕΝ.Ν.ΟΙ.Α προκηρύχθηκε διαγωνισμός από την Εθνική Τράπεζα σε συνεργασία με τον καθ. Μιχάλη Χαλιάσο, την Accenture και τον Κόμβο που στόχο του έχει να προωθείται η επιστημονική έρευνα σε θέματα σχετικά με τη χρηματοοικονομική ενδυνάμωση των νοικοκυριών και τη χρηματοοικονομική συμπερίληψη. Αν είστε ερευνητής και ενδιαφέρεστε να συμμετέχετε στην πρωτοβουλία, μπορείτε να υποβάλετε την πρόταση σας για έρευνα και χρηματοδότηση στον ακόλουθο σύνδεσμο, αφού πρώτα ενημερωθείτε και ακολουθήσετε τις οδηγίες που είναι διαθέσιμες στα έγγραφα Ερευνητική Πρόσκληση και Φόρμα Αίτησης. Η προθεσμία λήγει στις 16 Μαρτίου 2025.
Παρουσίαση των προτάσεων για το Ειδικό Βραβείο Χρηματοοικονομικής Ενδυνάμωσης
Στο πλαίσιο της προώθησης της επιχειρηματικότητας και ανάπτυξης καινοτόμων προϊόντων, υπηρεσιών και εργαλείων (π.χ., εφαρμογών/apps) που θα βοηθήσουν τα νοικοκυριά στη χρηματοοικονομική εκπαίδευση και τη λήψη ορθών οικονομικών αποφάσεων, πραγματοποιήθηκε η παρουσίαση των προτάσεων που υποβλήθηκαν για το Ειδικό Βραβείο Χρηματοοικονομικού Εγγραμματισμού για την Ενδυνάμωση των Νοικοκυριών στις Οικονομικές Αποφάσεις που θα δοθεί στον 15ο ετήσιο Διαγωνισμό Καινοτομίας και Τεχνολογίας Business Seeds της Εθνικής Τράπεζας.