Interview: Maritime Sophisication’s Owner on Present Market Situation in Greece

 

Greek shipping industry, one of the oldest industrial branches in the country, has encountered various challenges over the recent period having in mind the on-going financial crisis. 

In an interview with Panagiotis Katsoulas, owner of Greece Maritime Sophisication Ltd, World Maritime News Staff inquired about the present market situation, reasons behind the downturn along with the economic forecast for both Greece and Europe.

What can you tell us about the Greek shipping industry in general, and is the Greek shipping industry in a crisis and to what extent?

“I think that the Greek shipping industry has an excellent heritage from the past decades.

Personally, I do not have a shipping background in terms of studies, but I think that if you are not afraid to learn and if you are not afraid to make mistakes you cannot be successful in any type of work.

Yes, I think that the shipping industry is in a crisis and not only in Greece but globally.

Of course, we do not pay taxation because all the shipping companies are offshore companies, but when Greece and generally when Europe is struck by an economic crisis, all the business fields become affected by it.”

He further added that the over-capacity across the shipping market has negatively influenced the height of charter rates.

On the question to what extent has Greece Maritime Sophisication been affected by the economic crisis, Mr.  Katsoulas replied that the company was established in September of 2012 in the middle of economic crisis, therefore the tough market conditions prompted by the crisis “gave us the opportunity to create the company and to focus on the new business fields.”

Speaking about the latest projects, Mr.  Katsoulas stated that the company is currently engaged in bringing lubricants from Germany to Greece for ships and vehicles.

In that context he added that: “We have found some import companies in Greece for wholesale to the local market.”

When asked about how much does the Greek shipping industry contribute to the country annually, Mr. Katsoulas explained that the Greek shipping industry has been the most powerful business sector in Greece for many years now.

And what is more, as noted by Mr. Katsoulas , the Union of Greek Shipowners voiced their commitment to the Greek Government in the economic recovery of the country at a recently held meeting with the Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Antonis Samaras.

In your opinion, what could be a good solution for Greece to overcome the crisis?

“I think that the problem in Greece is not only of financial nature, but is deeply rooted in social and political areas. Over the past decades all the generations lived from the money from banks.

They took a lot of loans to buy cars, houses, to open shops and there were a lot of credit cards involved.

Also, there were a lot of employees in the public sector.

I think that the Greek government and especially Mr . Antonis Samaras are undertaking efforts to improve the situation for Greece and for the people, but the situation cannot be changed so easily.

The Greek people are trying to make the best for the country as real patriots and the Troika must understand that we talk for people and not for slaves, we talk for families with children ,who have many economic problems.”

About the company:

Maritime Sophistication Limited, with sales and marketing office in Athens, specializes in the container ship products and has partnership with some industries from abroad and from Greece.  The company also engages in helping export companies find wholesalers and import companies, which is very important as an export gate.

The company has investor relations and a public relations office in London.

World Maritime News Staff, August 30, 2013