CLIA said the Greek Parliament’s approval of a law lifting cabotage restrictions on cruise ships in Greece would benefit the country's economy.
"It will allow more ships to operate itineraries throughout Greece," said Michael Crye, CLIA's executive vice president for technical and regulatory affairs. "It will bring more passengers and benefit the economy of Greece."
Greece’s existing cabotage restrictions are similar to those of the United States: only European Union-flagged passenger ships may operate in the Greek islands without leaving the European Union.
The new law allows passenger ships without EU flags to operate on roundtrip voyages to and from the same port.
Crye said the changes pertained to cruise vessels and that Greek law would still protect ferries.
Industry publication Seatrade Insider reported that Markos Foros, president of the Association of Greek Passenger Shipping Companies, estimated the cumulative potential value of lifting the restrictions at as much as $1.26 billion per year.
The Seatrade report said that under the terms of the new law, which is effective immediately, international cruise companies will be able to embark and disembark passengers at Greek ports once they have signed a three-year contract with the government submitting to certain conditions, such as compliance with international standards of safety and seaworthiness.
