Union of Greek Shipowners President Melina Travlos said the global shipping industry had fallen into a trap by following the EU's ambitious decarbonisation path, pushing the International Maritime Organization toward unrealistic 2050 targets, reports London's Riviera Maritime Media.

Ms. Travlos criticised the proposed Net-Zero Framework, arguing it would turn the IMO into a revenue-collection mechanism without clarity on where funds would go. She stated that IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez informed her that the money would be directed to poorer African countries and island states, a linkage she questioned.

She praised the Greek government for recognising the importance of shipping and abstaining from last October's extraordinary MEPC vote, while other EU states pressed ahead. She noted that alternative proposals from Liberia and Japan had been submitted but declined to specify which option the UGS supports.

On the Middle East crisis, Ms. Travlos rejected suggestions that shipowners should pay tolls to transit the Strait of Hormuz. She emphasized that freedom of navigation was paramount and stressed that ships had been targeted and weaponised, calling for respect for international laws and treaties.

Addressing the dark fleet debate, she stated that partial sanctions regimes create distortions and unfairly target Greek shipping. She argued that vessels from many countries end up in the dark fleet and that Greek owners cannot control tankers sold on to others.

"We are in a better position now. If a compromise can be found, it will benefit not only shipping but the global economy as a whole," Ms. Travlos said.