Greek shipping ministry split off
THE NEW Greek government is to include a stand-alone shipping minister, it was announced today.

National shipowners had frequently complained about the country¡¯s maritime administration after the shipping portfolio was merged into a combined ministry of Development and Competitiveness in late 2009.

In addition, the Greek shipowners have been relieved by the failure of the leftwing Syriza party to win the 17 June elections. In its election manifesto, Syriza had promised to scrap all fiscal exemptions for shipowners.

New prime minister Antonis Samaras, who leads a coalition government formed by the conservative New Democracy and two leftist parties, gave the shipping portfolio to MP Costas Moussouroulis who represents the New Democracy constituents of the island of Chios.

Mousouroulis, 49, is an economist with a long career as European Commission officer which he abandoned in 2004 in favour of a high post in the then Greek conservative government. He was elected MP in 2009. Samaras also appointed Nicos Vernicos deputy shipping minister responsible for the ports sector. Vernicos, 62, is a yachting and tourism entrepreneur, as well as a board member and trustee of the local Greenpeace office.