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Trends and opportunities
The market
The Greek transport industry, in particular marine, offers opportunities to a range of Australian companies and a number of them have been successful in winning contracts in recent years. Marine exports have made up the highest proportion of export sales to Greece.
Although Australian firms are unlikely to be become involved in major projects such as the construction of ports many are well-positioned to pursue specific business opportunities such as the supply of passenger ferries, leisure craft and marine technologies. Austrade’s office in Athens receives ongoing enquiries for assistance from boat-builders, marine and port consultants and suppliers of marine technologies.
The Greek marine sector is large and diverse and offers export prospects for a range of Australian suppliers. Greece operates the largest merchant marine fleet in the world and has a large associated infrastructure of 51 marinas that offer 15,000 mooring places. These marinas require a host of products and support services where niche Australian technology can find customers – ranging from port operations to repairs to spare parts.
Industry deregulation, privatisation and a trend towards a one-market Europe are increasing competition and consolidation across many industries in Greece, especially in the food, shipping and finance sectors. Greek firms across all sectors have instigated programs to modernise their facilities and services using technology and know-how from overseas. Australian ferry manufacturers have numerous car-passenger ferries operating in Greece and an Australia company won a contract from a shipping company to supply air filters that reduce pollution output from diesel engines in order to meet new EU guidelines.
Opportunities
The Greek business sector has a positive attitude towards the quality of Australian products and services. Companies do not experience as many difficulties getting their foot in the door to meet key decision-makers as they might in some of the larger European countries such as Germany and the UK. This is because of there is awareness of Australia’s commercial strengths and the positive image the country enjoys in Greece. Key
Opportunities include:
- Marina development market
- Large high-speed vessels
- Yachts
- Equipment for passenger/naval/yachts
- Services in marine sector
- Small boats
Greece's passenger vessel industry is in the midst of a radical makeover. A new law not only opened up
the country's routes to competition from EU passenger vessels in 2002, but also forced the retirement of
a good proportion of the sector's aging hulks. EU regulations specify that the ceiling for passenger ships
be reduced from 85 to 30 years, starting 2008. Only about one-third of some 400 passenger ferries operating
on Greek sea routes were built in the last 20 years which will open up opportunities for Australia’s ferry
manufacturers.
Further information
For further information and to discuss your specific export needs to this market contact our Greek marine specialists within our Austrade EMEA Marine Team.
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