Greece’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy said in a statement that Greece and Japan are seeking to deepen cooperation in shipping, shipbuilding and ports, with two-way investment, coast guard collaboration and maritime decarbonization also placed on the agenda.

Japan is the guest country of honor at this year’s Thessaloniki International Fair. On September 7, Vassilis Kikilias, Greece’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, met with Minoru Kiuchi, Japan’s Minister in charge of Growth Strategy, at the Port of Thessaloniki.

The talks explored opportunities to expand two-way investment and strengthen cooperation between the Greek and Japanese coast guards. Maritime decarbonization was another core issue.

Vassilis Kikilias highlighted Japan’s role in International Maritime Organization (IMO) negotiations and called for stronger coordination between the two countries to jointly seek mutually acceptable solutions. He said Greek shipowners’ newbuilding orders at Japanese shipyards rank second globally.

Minoru Kiuchi noted that Japan’s growth strategy, adopted on July 21, covers 17 strategic areas, including shipbuilding and port logistics supply chains. He identified ports, logistics and shipbuilding as directions for further cooperation with Greece, including exchanges of professional experience and technology, and expressed a willingness to expand two-way direct investment.

Officials from the two countries then boarded the Greek Coast Guard vessel “P.A.Th.090” to continue the talks. During the meeting, Vassilis Kikilias presented the Port of Thessaloniki’s regional positioning, expansion projects and cruise business growth. After the meeting, no bilateral agreements or memoranda of understanding were announced.