Addressing a Shipping Forum organized by the financial daily “Naftemporiki”, Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis underlined on Thursday that Greek shipping remained at the top of the world ranking in 2014, with its fleet accounting for approximately 43% of the European fleet and about 15% of the global fleet.

Noting that the shipping industry’s added value to the economy rose to 7.0% in 2012,  Hardouvelis said government officials plan to implement a series of measures in the following years, aimed at boosting the ocean-going shipping industry. These measures include more favorable tax provisions and better conditions for bank lending to the shipping sector, the FinMin said.

The primary  sectors of Greek shipping were oil transport (25% of global fleet), dry cargo (18% of global fleet), LNG transport (6.0%) and containers (7.0%).

With regard to the recent plunge in oil prices, Hardouvelis said it is expected to have a short-term positive impact on the industry, particularly in dry cargo.