HELMEPA Delegation of Greek Shipping Companies Meets U.S. Coast Guard Leadership in Washington

A high-level HELMEPA delegation representing fifteen Greek shipping companies and maritime organizations travelled to Washington, D.C. for its annual engagement with the United States Coast Guard, reaffirming a longstanding partnership built on shared commitment to marine environmental protection, vessel safety, and compliance in U.S. waters.

The working session, held on 4 March at USCG Headquarters, addressed the full spectrum of issues affecting foreign-flagged vessels trading in U.S. waters. Key topics included Port State Control inspection trends, container vessel safety, firefighting systems, hazardous cargo including lithium-ion batteries and EVs, cybersecurity compliance, Ballast Water Management System operation under challenging water quality conditions, VIDA implementation, Ship-to-Ship operations, and the QUALSHIP 21 program. IMO engagement and the new U.S. Maritime Action Plan were also discussed, alongside crew welfare and international affairs.

The meeting was chaired by Rear Admiral Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, and co-chaired by Captain Robert Compher, Director of Inspections and Compliance, along with other Coast Guard officials.

The delegation was led by HELMEPA Chairperson Semiramis Paliou, along with HELMEPA Board members: 2nd Vice Chairperson Maria Hajioannou, Alternate Treasurer Harris Antoniou, Member Eirini Pitta and Alternate Member Alexandros Glykas, as well as HELMEPA Director General Olga Stavropoulou and Head of Maritime Affairs and Stakeholder Development Costas Triantafillou.

It brought together owners, CEOs and executives from 15 HELMEPA member companies, collectively representing 381 shipping companies and maritime organisations operating a combined fleet of over 2,500 vessels (in alphabetical order): Alassia Newships Management, Bureau Veritas, Costamare Shipping Company S.A., Danaos Shipping Co. Ltd., Diana Shipping Services S.A., DYNAMARINe, ERMA Tech Group, Eurobulk Ltd., Ionic, Kyla Shipping & Trading Corp., Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd., Seanergy Shipmanagement Corp., Tsakos ConBulk Services (TCB) Ltd., Tsakos Shipping & Trading S.A., and the University of the Aegean.

The outcomes of the meeting will be compiled and circulated to all HELMEPA members.

The relationship between HELMEPA and the USCG stretches back to 1986, when Coast Guard officers first addressed HELMEPA members in Piraeus. Annual Washington D.C. meetings have been a fixture since 2013.

On 5 March, senior maritime law professionals at Blank Rome (hosts for the session organised by sister association NAMEPA) provided a regulatory update on foreign-flag vessel operations in U.S. waters, including Port State Control focus areas, sanctions, and enforcement actions. The Counselor for Economic Affairs at the Greek Embassy in Washington, D.C., Dionysios Protopapas also participated in the discussions.

The Washington D.C. visit comprised a full three-day program of professional engagements and networking activities, which also included a visit to the White House.