The year 2011 will be the first for the full implementation of the lifting of cabotage, following the contract signed by Minister of Maritime Affairs, Giannis Diamantidis and Culture Minister, Pavlos Geroulanos last month. The legislation provides the unrestricted activity of shipping companies, without undermining the public interest. The contribution per passenger and roundtrip is set at 3.95 euro, according to the contract. The contribution decreases by 20%, provided that the amount of Greek seamen employed correspond to at least 1% of the crew. The amount of the contribution decreases by 7% for every additional Greek port that the ship approaches. Costa Pacifica was the first cruiseship to approach port of Piraeus in 2011, while Mediterranean Shipping Company’s “Fantasia” docked at Heraklion, Crete (photo). Royal Caribbean’s “Brilliance of the Seas” docked at the port of Rhodes. Passengers and crews were warmly welcomed by local authorities.
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