The new year began with strong symbolism and a clear message of support for Greece’s maritime community at the port of Piraeus, the heart of the country’s shipping industry.
Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Stefanos Gkikas marked the start of 2026 by honouring Greek seafarers and members of the Hellenic Coast Guard, recognising their daily contribution to keeping the Greek flag flying across the world’s seas. Accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Tryfon Kontizas, and senior officers, Gkikas welcomed the first vessel to enter the port this year, the Blue Star Delos, which symbolically ushered in 2026 at Greece’s largest port.
The deputy minister exchanged New Year wishes with the ship’s captain and crew and attended the traditional cutting of the New Year’s cake aboard the vessel.
He later visited the National Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (EKSED), where, representing Maritime Affairs Minister Vassilis Kikilias, he communicated with two merchant vessels currently at sea—the Maran Lynx in the Indian Ocean and the Andromeda in the Mediterranean—as well as two Hellenic Coast Guard vessels on active duty.
Addressing the crews of the merchant ships, Gkikas thanked them for “keeping the Greek flag flying at every corner of the globe,” stressing that thanks to Greek seafarers, “Greek shipping is the first in the world, a fact that fills us with pride.” He also expressed the gratitude of Greek citizens to Coast Guard personnel for their round-the-clock work in safeguarding maritime borders and protecting human life at sea.
In his statements, Gkikas said: “Greek shipping—the leading force worldwide—is the pride of our country. At this moment, more than 450 Greek-owned ships are sailing across the globe. Our seafarers are the ones who have made our shipping great and strong. I wholeheartedly wish all our seafarers, as well as the personnel of the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Hellenic Navy, good health and calm seas, and may Saint Nicholas always be at their bow. May the new year be peaceful, creative and productive for our country and for all Greeks.”
Gkikas also attended the New Year’s cake-cutting ceremony of the A’ Tzelepi Port Authority Division of the Piraeus Port Authority, where he and the Coast Guard chief exchanged wishes with serving personnel for the year ahead.
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on Google News and Apple News.
