---Greece's rotating presidency of the European Union on Monday welcomed the outcome of a marine transport ministers' meeting held in Brussels last week Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis told a news conference that the ministers had approved acceleration of a ban on single-hull tankers carrying heavy fuel oil to the year 2010 from 2015, as originally scheduled.

'We support all rules and measures that lead to a strengthening of the quality of maritime transportation with top-level services and respect for the environment,' Anomeritis had said in Brussels after the meeting. 'Our decisions will safeguard the safety of ships and crews.' Ministers also agreed a transition period for smaller single hull vessels of up to 5,000 tonnes, which are needed for supplying small islands with fuel. The vessels have to be withdrawn in 2008

Anomeritis also said on Monday that ministers agreed that the issue should also be advanced at the International Maritime Organisation, as its ramifications also lay beyond European regional policy

---The ILO has upheld a complaint against the Greek Government made by the PNO union, the ICFTU and ITF, who accused it of violating trade union rights.

The case was made to the ILO (International Labour Organisation) after the Greek government used a civil mobilisation order - intended for use in wartime or following civil disasters - to quash a lawful strike by the PNO (Pan-Hellenic Seamen's Federation). ITF affiliate PNO had called the strike after the government went back on an understanding to improve pensions.

Supported by the ITF and ICFTU (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions) the PNO accused the government of breaking international labour standards. After finding in favour of the complainants, the ILO recommended that the Greek government should, as speedily as possible 'undertake negotiations ...in order to reach agreement between the parties on a time schedule for the readjustment of seafarers' pensions'. The ILO also stressed that the kind of unilateral measures taken by Greece risk destroying good industrial relations, and asked the government to avoid them in future.

---TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) _ Taiwan's government will file a lawsuit with a Norwegian court seeking compensation from the owner of a Greek-registered tanker involved in the island's worst oil spill in decades, an official said Thursday.

The Amorgos ran aground in January 2001 near the southern resort town of Kenting and left a large oil slick that contaminated the coral reef coastline.

Taiwan will demand that the ship's owner, Nissos Amorgos Shipping Corp., pay up to 350 million Taiwan dollars (about US$10 million) in damages, including the cost of the restoration of the coastline and surrounding waters, said Hau Lung-bin, head of the Environmental Protection Administration.

The company has offered to pay only 148 million Taiwan dollars (US$4.3 million), which would barely cover the salvage costs, Hau said.

The lawsuit will be filed in Norway, where the ship owner's insurance firm is based, he said.

---Greek operators of Mediterranean trading cargo ships charge the government's disinterest in the sector has resulted in many ships leaving the national flag. Leading owner Nikolaos Varvates, says that "despite all the talk on making the fleet more competitive nothing has been done", indeed he says "the fleet is now less competitive" and "owners are fighting to survive".

Varvates, who is president of the Union of Shipowners of Mediterranean Cargo Vessels, said that while other European countries have taken steps to make their short-sea fleets more competitive in the cabotage-free environment, Greek owners have been given greater burdens. He said that governments in other countries have adopted measures to encourage renewal of their fleets and lower ship operational costs while Greek ships have become more uncompetitive. "We will soon not only be unable to compete for cargoes from other countries, but will also lose our own national trade," he said at the union's agm, March 30.

He said the "burdens being imposed on Mediterranean trading ships must stop". He said that in the wake of the Prestige he hoped "responsible people at the Marine ministry" will support renewal of the fleet "which is so important to the country's trade".

Varvates was commenting just days after Marine minister George Anomeritis had told an Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology working luncheon that steps must be taken to encourage renewal of the aged Med fleet, particularly tankers, and a week before a meeting in Livorno, Italy April 4 on short-sea shipping.

Anomeritis told the HIMT luncheon: "We must agree to devise a method to subsidise scrapping rather than newbuildings, as did the Italians, and naturally provide state guarantees related to construction costs." The minister saw the opportunity to boost Greece's shipbuilding and shiprepair sectors and believed there are valid arguments to put to the country's National Economy ministry and the EU to secure the state's financial backing and promote the EU's efforts to improve and develop short-sea shipping and regional development.

Indeed, at the Livorno meeting to be attended by delegations from the Med states, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain, renewal of the short-sea fleet will top the agenda.

Varvates claims operators of ships involved in short-sea trading are facing increasing problems with Port of Piraeus Authority (OLP) procedures associated to loading and discharging cargo, especially containers. He was critical of the delays being encountered because the port's customs authorities do not operate on a 24-hour basis, which is disrupting the flow "of EU liner cargoes".

He said the lack of equipment to handle small container ships and the unequal treatment the small ships generally get is also disturbing. Further, he said owners are unhappy with the monopoly being maintained by OLP on port services. He said cargohandling, docking and storage costs are high "as there is a monopoly with no private stevedoring companies" able to operate.

Union of Shipowners of Mediterranean Cargo Vessels on March 30 re-elected combative Nikolaos Varvates their president. He heads up a committee also comprising: Alkis Korres, first vp; Melina Travlou, second vp; Panagiotis Leonardos, secretary general; Argyro Manoli, treasurer; and board members: Nikolaos Boukos, Michael Sarlis, Charalambos Simantonis and Vassilis Terzis.

---Rapidly rising insurance rates have allowed the Hellenic Hull Mutual to escape from the doldrums.

The club is celebrating its 10th year in business with a relaunch to alert Greek and Cypriot shipowners to the fact that they do not have to look to London, Norway or other foreign underwriting markets to insure their ships.

The club, which operates out of Limassol and Piraeus, allowed its book of business to shrivel as low insurance premiums virtually guaranteed red ink on the books.

But it is now full speed ahead with the club's annual meeting to be told next month that premiums doubled last year to $12m and are expected to reach $15m through 2003.

The Hellenic Hull Mutual is still a relatively modest venture taking an up to $5m line on some 600 vessels but it has a growing band of well-known owners such as Oceanbulk, Pacific & Atlantic, Barclay Shipping, Good Faith, Transmed and Hellas Flying Dolphins on its books.

The revival of the club's fortunes will be marked with a reception in Piraeus next Wednesday, when Jonathan Jones, a former star of the Lloyd's insurance market is also in town, but Hellenic Hull Club manager Bob Wiggins tells TradeWinds it is just a coincidence.

There have been rumours that Jones is to link up with the club but these appear unfounded as the ex-underwriter, who now lives in Ireland, is in Piraeus to promote the attractions of the Irish maritime sector.

Wiggins says the Hellenic Hull Club is doing very nicely, back in surplus after losses through 1998 and 1999 and that it has a strong reinsurance programme to protect claims above $500,000 placed by brokers Willis and Newman Martin & Buchan with top professional reinsurers such as Swiss Re, Munich Re and the General Electric offshoot ERC Frankona.

The 2000 underwriting year is coming out around break-even while the 2001 year should be profitable and the 2002 year even more so.

"We have had a very low profile but we are opening the door to new business again," said Wiggins, who adds that the club is prepared to be either a lead or a following underwriter. The target market is Greek or Cypriot controlled tonnage although the owner may be based in London or New York.

Despite the club's Greek focus, its rules specify that disputes are subject to English law and London's High Court.

The underwriting focus of the club means it has not only escaped high-profile claims such as the Diamond Princess, Tricolor and Hual Europe that have hit the international market but also the Prestige tanker loss and others involving Greek owners.

Wiggins admits he has occasionally been tempted to dip a toe in the protection-and-indemnity (P&I) market especially when he has had approaches from credible partners but says such a move is at the very least premature.

A move into P&I would be unrealistically expensive as he would have to secure high levels of reinsurance, recruit a legally qualified claims team and have to contend with long tail claims.

---For companies that are thinking of cutting back on their advertising or marketing budget as a result of the global economic slowdown or the uncertainties generated by the war in Iraq, Jack Modzelewski has only one thing to say.

Don't, says the president and chief operating officer of the European operations of Fleishman-Hillard, the biggest public relations firm in the world in terms of revenues and which recently signed up Greek media communications and public affairs company Civitas as an affiliate.

Modzelewski says the trick - in order to keep a company in the minds of consumers during difficult times - is to adopt a more effective and direct approach such as public relations. Using a combination of the media, experts and people whose opinions and knowledge are respected, public relations could effectively communicate a message where advertising cannot.

"Companies during bad economic times are looking for ways to have more direct communication with their customers and they want to do that at a high value and they want to get feedback," he says.

In Greece, the public relations market took off during the stock market boom in 1999 as companies discovered the need to promote themselves to investors and stock analysts, says Dave Robinson, executive vice president of Civitas. "It really gave a boost to the public relations industry," he says.

Contrary as it may sound, Robinson says the need for public relations is greater now even as the Athens stock market appears to be heading for its fourth bearish year, losing about a tenth of its value since the beginning of the year. He says it is an opportunity for companies to spend their money effectively at targeted markets, thereby ensuring measurable returns. "Companies need to change from proactive measures to defensive ones. There is more need now for public relations as they re-engineer their business," he says.

Modzelewski says public relations are expected to catch on among entrepreneurs who start their own businesses and are becoming more sophisticated in the value of effective communication.

He says the current focus on corporate governance, stemming from the Enron scandal, is another reason why companies need to consider public relations. "Public relations firms can act as intermediaries between the government and the company," Modzelewski says.

Committee members of the UGS, shipowners and representatives of maritime organizations were all present to witness the awards ceremony held this afternoon at the offices of the UGS.

During his speech, the president of the UGS Mr. Efthymiou announced that this year, the Union would present awards to two individual categories of distinguished persons.

a) Professional and now retired seamen, who have zealously served the maritime industry.

b) Younger academic nationals, who are the future of the Greek maritime industry.

Awards and a cheque for 3,000 Euro for outstanding contribution to the maritime industry were presented to the first class captain Mr. George Kodonakis and to the 2nd class chef Mr. Constantine Zafirakis.

In memory of Antonis Chandris, a scholarship of USD 10,000 was shared between two candidates - Mr. Theodore Economopoulos and Mr. Sotiris Zois - who demonstrated equal academic calibre in their results of the examination that had been announced.

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Andriaki Shipping > Crude Oil Tanker,"308,500 DWT",Violando/Samsung HI,Jan-03

Angelakos > Bulker,73.990 DWT,Skythia Graeca/Namura Shipbuilding,Jun-02

Angelakos > Bulker,"73,991 DWT",Adriatica Graeca/Namura Shipbuilding,Aug-02

Angelakos (Hellas) > Bulker,"73,990 DWT",Namura Shipbuilding,2003

Angelakos (Hellas) > Bulker,"73,990 DWT",Namura Shipbuilding,2003

Arcadia > Crude Oil Tanker,"105,500 DWT",Aegeam Freedom/Hyundai HI,Jan-03

Arcadia Shipmanagement > Crude Oil Tanker,"164,500 DWT",Aegean Eagle/Hyundai-Samho,Jan-03

Athenian Sea Carriers > Products Tanker,"46,000 DWT",Hyundai Mipo,2004

Athenian Sea Carriers > Crude Oil Tanker,"160,000 DWT",Hyundai HI,2005

Attica Enterprises > Pass/Vehicle Ferry,29.000 GT,Superfast XI/Flender Werft,Jul-02

Attica Enterprises,Pass/Vehicle Ferry,"29,000 GT",Superfast XI/Flender Werft,Jul-02

Attica Enterprises > Passenger/Vehicle Ferry,"30,000 GT",Superfast XII/Flender Werft,Oct-02

Avra Shipmanagement > Bulk Carrier Ore,"164,000 DWT",Thalassini Kyra/China Shipbuilding,Aug-02

Carras > Bulk Carrier Ore,170.000 DWT,Sasebo HI,2003

Centrofin > Crude Oil Tanker,"98,000 DWT",Apanemo/Daewoo,Jan-03

Ceres Hellenic Shipping > Bulk Carrier Ore,170.000 DWT,Sasebo HI,2003

Ceres Hellenic Shipping > Bulk Carrier Ore,170.000 DWT,Sasebo HI,2004

Ceres Hellenic Shipping > Crude Oil Tanker,105.000 DWT,Fantasy/Tsuneishi Shipbuilding,Jun-02

Ceres Hellenic Shipping > Crude Oil Tanker,"105,000 DWT",Fidelity/Tsuneishi Shipbuilding,Aug-02

Ceres Hellenic Shipping > Crude Oil Tanker,"105,000 DWT",Fantasy/Tsuneishi Shipbuilding,Jun-02

Chartworld Shipping > Crude Oil Tanker,113.000 DWT,Ionian Spirit/Samho HI,Jul-02

Chartworld Shipping > Bulk Carrier Ore,"50,354 DWT",Aifanourios/Shanghai Shipyard,Aug-02

Chartworld Shipping > Crude Oil Tanker,"113,000 DWT",Ionian Spirit/Samho HI,Jul-02

Costamare Shipping > Container Ship,"6,252 TEU",Maersk Kolkata/Hyundai HI,Jan-03

Diamlemos Shipping > Bulk Carrier Ore,"75,007 DWT",Angelic Glory/Hudong Zhonghua,Aug-02

Diana Shipping Agencies > Bulk Carrier Ore,"73,100 DWT",Jiangnan Shipyard,2004

Dioryx Maritime > Container Ship,"2,508 TEU",MOL Santiago/STX Shipbuilding,Sep-02

Dynacom Tankers > Crude Oil Tanker,"71,000 DWT",Onomichi Dockyard,2005

Dynacom Tankers > Crude Oil Tanker,"141,700 DWT",Universal Shipbuilding,2005

Dynacom Tankers > Crude Oil Tanker,"105,000 DWT",Harmony/Sumitomo HI,Jan-03

Easterm Med Maritime > Crude Oil Tanker,"308,000 DWT",Samsung HI,2005

Eletson > Products Tanker,"105,500 DWT",Makronissos/Hyundai HI,Aug-02

Empros Shipping Mgmt > Bulker,"53,500 DWT",Alitis/Imabari Shipbuilding,Aug-02

Glafki (Hellas) > Crude Oil Tanker,"150,709 DWT",Paros/Universal Shipbuilding,Nov-02

Glafki (Hellas) > Crude Oil Tanker,"150,709 DWT",Anafi/Universal Shipbuilding,Jan-03

Hellespont Steamship > Crude Oil Tanker,"442,500 DWT",Hellespont Tara/Daewoo,Nov-02

Kristen Navigation > Crude Oil Tanker,"105,000 DWT",Astro Sculptor/Daewoo,Jan-03

LMZ-Transoil Shipmanagers > Product Tanker,"69,000 DWT",Daewoo,2004

Minerva Marine > Crude Oil Tanker,"105,000 DWT",Samsung HI,2005

Minerva Marine Inc > Crude Oil Tanker,105.709 DWT,Minerva Maya/Samho HI,Jul-02

Minerva Marine Inc > Crude Oil Tanker,"105,709 DWT",Minerva Maya/Samho HI,Jul-02

Minoan Lines Shipping > Pass/Vehicle Ferry,"28,000 GT",Ariadne Palace/Samsung HI,Oct-02

Naftomar Shipping & Trading > LPG Carrier,19.650 DWT,Queen Zenobia/Namura Shipbuilding,Jun-02

Neptune Shipping Agencies > Vehicle Carrier,4.700 DWT,Neptune Aegli/J Barreras,Jul-02

Neptune Shipping Agencies > Vehicle Carrier,"4,700 DWT",Neptune Aegli/J Barreras,Jul-02

Neptunes hipping Agencies > Vehicle Carrier,"6,500 DWT",Neptune Dynamics/J Barreras,Aug-02

Niarchos > Crude Oil Tanker,"110,000 DWT",World Kindred/Daewoo,Jan-03

Nomikos Transworld > Bulk Carrier Ore,48.900 DWT,IHI,2004

Paradise Navigation > Products Tanker,"72,000 DWT",Hudong Zhonghua,2005

Samos Steamship > Bulk Carrier Ore,75.162 DWT,Pythagoras/Hitachi Zosen,Jul-02

Samos Steamship > Bulk Carrier Ore,"75,162 DWT",Pythagoras/Hitachi Zosen,Jul-02

Sealion Shipping > Multi Function Service,7.950 GT,Toisa Proteus/ van der Giessen-de Noord,Jul-02

Sealion Shipping > Multi Function Service,"7,950 GT",Toisa Proteus/ van der Giessen-de Noord,Jul-02

Seaworld Management > Products Tanker,"37,400 DWT",British Explorer/Hyundai Mipo,Jan-03

Stamco Ship Management > Vehicle Carrier,"21,300 DWT",Gdynia Shipyard,2004

Thenamaris > Products Tanker,"37,000 DWT",Hyundai Mipo,2002

Thenamaris > Crude Oil Tanker,"37,000 DWT",Seamerit/Hyundai Mipo,Sep-02

Thenamaris > Products Tanker,"35,000 DWT",Seacrown-Seaexplorer/Hyundai Mipo,Jan-03

Tomasos Bros > Products Tanker,"37,000 DWT",Emmanuel/Hyundai Mipo,Nov-02

Tomasos Bros > Products Tanker,"37,000 DWT",Nicos Tomasos/Hyundai Mipo,Jan-03

Tomasos Bros > Pass/Vehicle Ferry,"25,000 GT",Trinacria/Cantiere Navale Visentini,Nov-02

Tranmed Shipping > Bulk Carrier Ore,172.000 DWT,Hyundai HI,2004

Transmed Shipping > Bulk Carrier Ore,"172,000 DWT",Hyundai HI,2004

Tsakos > Crude Oil Tanker,"165,000 DWT",Pentathlon/Samho HI,Oct-02

Tsakos Shipping & Trading > Crude Oil Tanker,"107,000 DWT",Marathon/Imabari Shipbuilding,Jan-03

Tsakos Shipping & Trading > Products Tanker,"68,500 DWT",Maya/Koyo Dockyard,Jan-03

Tsakos Shipping & Trading > Crude Oil Tanker,"164,000 DWT",Decathlon/Samho HI,Aug-02

Tsakos Shipping & Trading > Products Tanker,"37,000 DWT",Hyundai Mipo,2004,,

Tsakos Shipping & Trading > Crude Oil Tanker,"164,000 DWT",Triathlon/Samho HI,Dec-02

Vrontatos > Bulk Carrier Ore,74.000 DWT,Nicos L/Jiangnan Shipyard,May-02

Zela Shipping > Bulk Carrier Ore,172.000 DWT,Hyundai HI,2004

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ISM Internal Auditing

Date: 15 - 17 April 2003 at DNV Maritime Service Centre > 26-28 Akti Kondyli > 185 45 Piraeus - Greece

This 3-day course provides practical knowledge on how to conduct audits, including auditing practices guidance, preparation, execution and follow up.

This course is addressed to Internal auditors and managers within shipping and associated companies who are responsible for determining, measuring, and monitoring safety performance and any continuous improvement programs.

For more: Ms Vassilia Dimitrakou > Tel: (+30) 210 41 00 200 > E-mail: Vassilia.Dimitrakou@dnv.com [ http://www.marine-marketing.gr/users/dnv ]

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BRIDGE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Date: 15 - 17 April at the QMS Training Centre, 139 Doiranis Str. & Skra str. - 176 73 Kallithea - Athens.

Training Director: Vice Admiral (Ret.) Stavros Kechris H.N.

This 5 days BRM /Bridge Simulator course is DNV and PANAMA approved.

> How Bridge-watch resources are being allocated and used > based on Bridge Resource Management principles

> Plan a voyage and conduct navigation

> Establish watchkeeping arrangements and procedures

> Maintain a safe navigational watch

> Respond to emergencies

> Manoeuvre and handle a ship in all conditions

Quality Maritime Services > S.A (QMS) provides maritime training activities as Maritime Training Center (MTC).

139 > Doiranis Str. & Skra Str. > 176 73 Kallithea - Greece

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MARINE CARGO CLAIMS

Date: 14 - 15 May 2003 - Athens

Practical Strategies for Pursuing and Defending. Featuring an expert panel of speakers from Greece and the UK this two-day programme provides a detailed analysis of all key aspects of marine cargo claims.

For more: www.informamaritime.com

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INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING & BUNKER - 2nd Conference

Date: 3 - 5 June 2003 > Astir Palace Resort > Vouliagmeni/Athens > Greece

2nd International Shipping and Bunker Conference organised by Infospectrum.net Limited and Concorsa Limited > in association with IBIA (International Bunker Industry Association).

For more: www.greece2003.net

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2nd GREEK SHIP FINANCE CONFERENCE - Lloyd's Shipping Economist

Date: 4 - 5 June 2003 > Ledra Marriott Hotel > Athens > Greece

Investing & Financing Greek Shipping: Challenges and Opportunities

For more > contact Claire Ritchie on telephone +44 (0) 207 553 1894 or email mailto:claire.ritchie@informa.com

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SALE & PURCHASE OF NEW & SECOND HAND TONNAGE: The Memorandum of Agreement Date: 6 June 2003 Ledra Marriott Hotel > Athens > Greece

Half-day workshop with presentations by:

Christopher Hobbs > Managing Partner > Norton Rose > Greece and

Alexia Vassiliou > Assistant Solicitor > Norton Rose > Greece

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SHIP MANAGEMENT 2003 - Lloyd's Ship Manager's 13th Conference

Date: 17 - 18 June 2003 > Divani Apollon Palace Hotel > Athens > Greece

For more > contact Caroline Chapman > Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7553 1491 e-mail: caroline.chapman@informa.com

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GREEK SHIP FINANCE FORUM - Marine Money 5th Annual Conference

Date: 9 October 2003 > at Athens Ledra Marriott

Executives of Greek ship owning companies > the financial community as well as legal and broking specialist will meet > once again > to discuss latest developments and tomorrows new opportunities.

Organised by "Marine Money Greece" > more details can be obtained from: Kevin Oates > kevin@marine-marketing.gr or Mia Jensen > mia@marine-marketing.