4 Conclusion
The system of maritime transport in Greece was in a state of transition from a ‘protectionist’ state which Greek had been up to November 2002 to a liberalized one in which the provision of maritime transport services is open to all interested and eligible operators from other EU Member States. The shipping industry presumably would not have undergone any reform and the state would have remained the dominant actor, if the European Commission, on behalf of the EU, had not promoted the change in the sector. Greece’s initial refusal was further rationalised on grounds that to acknowledge coastal shipping liberalization would threaten social cohesion and impair the national strategic and economic interests of the country. However, it was the pressure groups’ interests the government sought to protect.
Nevertheless, liberalisation of maritime transport in Greece constitutes a substantial and vital progress not only in the maritime transport market in general, but also in influencing the development of island regions. Currently, the coastal shipping and the cruise environment have an international character, although much more should be done with focusing on the macroeconomic gains and keeping up this sector with international experience.