“From Kastellorizo, Agathonisi and Astypalaia to Kasos and Karpathos, our Dodecanese islands fill us with pride and confidence for the future and development. The results of our hard work concern jobs, the prosperity of Greek families, our children and the younger generation,” Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias said from Rhodes, where he visited today accompanied by Secretary General for Maritime Affairs and Ports, Manolis Koutoulakis.

Regarding the strengthening of the Hellenic Coast Guard’s personnel, the minister said that the recruitment of at least 420 Coast Guard officers has already been approved and is being implemented, with a significant number to be assigned to Rhodes. A new round of recruitment will also take place in 2027.

Regarding the modernization of the Coast Guard’s operational capabilities, Kikilias said that tenders are moving rapidly forward for offshore vessels over 80 meters long, one of which will be permanently based in Rhodes, as well as for unmanned surface and underwater vessels, drones, a new Operations Center, the National Integrated Maritime Surveillance System (ESOTHE) and VTMIS. “All these tenders will move forward and be completed,” he said.

The minister stressed that this modernization is necessary for policing the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, ensuring the safety of maritime transport, protecting the seas from pollution, combating illegal fishing and guarding the country’s maritime borders, while also providing meaningful support to Coast Guard personnel operating in the field.

He also expressed his satisfaction with the work of Coast Guard personnel. “I am very pleased with the regional governor, the port authority chief and, above all, the men and women of the Hellenic Coast Guard. Migration flows in the eastern Aegean are down 60% this year,” he said.

Kikilias made particular reference to funding for subsidized ferry routes to remote islands and to the four-year duration of the new tender, which he said would provide stability for island residents, the ferry industry, tourism and local economies.

“Let me remind you that the Greek state and government, following the Prime Minister’s directive, now provides €168 million a year for subsidized routes, and we are proceeding with a tender closed for four years, so that there is predictability across the entire tourism ecosystem,” he said.

Linking measures concerning ferry transport and maritime security with the economy and employment, Kikilias added: “Let me repeat that we have not forgotten what the main sources of revenue are for this country. It is shipping, tourism, services and real estate—and hundreds of thousands of people and Greek families make their living from these sectors.”

The meeting was attended by Dodecanese MPs Ioannis Pappas and Tsampika Iatridi, Regional Governor Georgios Chatzimarkos, Deputy Regional Governor Apostolis Asprakis, Mayor Alexandros Koliadis and representatives of the local port, business, hotel, tourism, maritime recreation, cargo-handling and taxi sectors.

The minister also visited the Central Port Authority of Rhodes, where he was briefed in detail on the operational work and activities of the port authority and held discussions with personnel.

Finally, Kikilias visited the Holy Metropolis of Rhodes, where he met with Metropolitan Kyrillos.