In one of the most iconic venues associated with Greek shipping, the Hellenic Sailing Club, the signing ceremony of the agreement between ONEX Elefsis Shipyards and the classification society Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) took place on June 23, 2025. The event took place in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Gkikas, the General Secretary of Fisheries and Ports, the General Secretary of Research and Development, as well as representatives of the Greek shipping cluster and the shipping press.
The agreement concerns the construction of 20 new RAstar 2800 Tugboat type tugs at ONEX shipyards in Elefsina, marking the official restart of new shipbuilding activity in our country. The agreement was signed by the Chairman and CEO of the ONEX Group and President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Mr. Panos Xenokostas, and the Senior Vise President BV Marine & Offshore Division, East Europe, Mediterranean Sea, Middle East, Africa and India (EMA) of Bureau Veritas, Ms. Paye Palaeologou.
Mr. Xenokostas emphasized the significance of this historic step for the Greek shipbuilding industry: "Since 2018, when we started during very dark years for the shipbuilding industry, we dreamed, envisioned, designed, and realized this dream." Today we see the shipyards working, bringing back thousands of jobs directly and indirectly, with over 720 ships repaired in Syros and Elefsina.
Referring to the strategic choice of tugs as the starting point for the newbuilds, he noted: "We decided to start with tugs as it is a small and controlled investment exposure." It allowed us to try to do everything we wanted in terms of how to prepare the shipyard and collaborate with major industries and top companies like Robert Allan Naval Architects, MAN Energy Solutions SE, and SCHOTTEL GmbH, to design a tugboat that we would be proud of and that offers "state of the art" technologies.
The tugboats will be equipped with state-of-the-art engines and will be adaptable to LNG & LPG environments, while being capable of operating with complexity in various roles, including firefighting and oil spill cleanup.
Mr. Xenokostas also announced that "in the coming weeks, we will sign an agreement for the first time with a company of Greek interests for 2+2 tugs, and we aim to expand our production line with another 20 tugs by 2026." Our production line is secured, and in November we will cut the first sheet metal. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive solution to businesses in Greece or abroad, thru financing packages such as the Performance Based Logistics model.
Closing his greeting, Panos Xenokostas wanted to thank all the customers, Greek shipowners, employes, and executives for their trust, and of course the Greek government for its practical and continuous support since 2019, as he stated: "The revival of the shipyards is not a matter for one or two people." It's a game that we must play as a team to win. "Our vision for a strong Greek shipbuilding industry is becoming a reality today."
Ms. Paget Palaiologou, Senior Vise President East Europe, Mediterranean Sea, Middle East, Africa and India (EMA) Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore Division, spoke about the deep connection of BV with Greek shipping, which serves as a beacon for the entire world, emphasizing the historical significance of the agreement: "We have seen ships being built, traveling, and becoming part of global history, bearing the signature of safety and completeness of our Organization." Our commitment to Greek shipping and local maritime activity is more than a professional relationship. It is a deep emotional connection, based on mutual trust and a vision for progress and development. We are here today to mark the restart of shipbuilding activities in our country. The shipbuilding industry is a sector inextricably linked to our identity and has always nurtured our Nation's endless love for the sea."
He emphasized the strategic importance of the project: "The construction of 20 new RAstar 2800 Tugboats is a very significant project for the shipyards, for BV, for Greece, and for the global tugboat industry," highlighting that BV holds 27% of the global market in tugboat classification.
Referring to the technical specifications of the tugboats, she emphasized: "This new fleet of tugboats will be extremely flexible, as it will be equipped for various activities."