EU pollution “interference” will harm trade, says Greek shipping chief

European Union pressure on shipowners to shoulder progressively stricter anti-pollution safeguards will end up undermining a vital EU industry and encourage law-abiding operators to skirt regulations, the Union of Greek Shipowners warned in a statement Tuesday.
In a speech to an Independent Association of Tanker Owners (Intertanko) conference released Tuesday, union chairman Nikos Efthymiou also said the EU’s toughening stance and increasing antagonism with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) risks driving operators from European shores.