Greece’s shipping ministry announced a 50% reduction in port fees as an effort to contain ferries and ships tickets, ahead of the price rises announced by shipowners as of May 1, 2025 due to changes in fuel.
Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy Minister Vassilis Kikilias said that he submitted the related amendment to reduce port fees to the Parliament on Wednesday.
The reduced port fees are expected to remain in effect until 2026, media reported.
“The government wants to protect people and Greek society, giving Greeks the opportunity to travel to our islands,” Kikilias said pointing out, that shipping and tourism comprise the greatest part of the Greek economy and contribution to its GDP.
He stressed that both port authorities in Piraeus and Thessaloniki agreed to help the effort to keep port fees down.
It should be noted that due to European Union environmental regulations, on May 1 the Mediterranean Sea will become a sulphur emission control area (SECA), which means that any fuel used for ships over 5,000 gross tonnage must contain only 0.001% of sulfur, raising the fuel price. High-speed boats have already switched to the new fuel.
Referring to municipalities, the shipping minister said that they would not stand to lose from lower port fees, but would make up the gap from the government’s funding of ports for green development and investments.
Support by ports union
In a related development, the president of the Hellenic Ports Union Athanasios Liagos said he supported the drop in prices of port fees, private cars and private trucks.
Containing transportation costs will help raise demand for port services in the long term, while the corresponding funding from the Energy & Environment Ministry foreseen in the amendment for projects that will improve the environmental footprint of ports is a long-standing policy of the Union, he noted.