Exactly 10 Greek-flagged vessels are currently within the Persian Gulf and five outside it, while approximately 325 ships connected to Greece but flying foreign flags are in the broader region, as announced by Shipping Minister Vassilis Kikilias in a television interview on SKAI. He clarified that the ten Greek ships carry 85 Greek sailors who are well and in continuous communication, noting that the Ministry’s Operations Center remains on constant alert.
The minister advised calm and particular caution in public statements, as both the timeframe and degree of crisis escalation remain unknown. He warned that closing the Strait of Hormuz would cause enormous economic repercussions for shipping and global trade, noting that vessels continuing toward the region remain outside the Straits.
Meanwhile, he referenced the significance and criticality of shipping amid military conflicts, emphasizing that developments directly affect international shipping and consequently, the global economy, explaining that approximately 20% of global oil and 20-25% of natural gas pass through the Strait of Hormuz, demonstrating the gravity and potential impacts on global economic activity.
As he noted, attacks with missiles and drones against commercial vessels have already been recorded, strikes on three port facilities and one offshore installation, sailor injuries and one sailor death, clarifying that these incidents do not involve Greek-flagged ships or Greek interests. He emphasized, however, that there was a strike with minor damage to a Greek-owned vessel, which continued its journey.
Mr. Kikilias characterized targeting sailors as unacceptable, emphasizing that ocean-going shipping should remain outside military conflicts, something that unfortunately is not confirmed by reality.
In conclusion, he stressed that the basic priority of the Greek government remains protecting Greeks in the region.
