A Memorandum of Cooperation for the rehabilitation of all school units in Thessaly and Central Greece, which were affected by the recent catastrophic floods, was signed today by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, the President of the Hellenic Shipowners’ Union (EEE) Melina Travlou and Managing Director of the Company “Building Infrastructure SA” Athanasios Giannari.

As stated by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras:

“We signed, today, the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Public Company “Building Infrastructure SA” and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, for the financing of school rehabilitation projects in Thessaly and Central Greece, areas affected by the recent, unprecedented floods. This is yet another important initiative of social responsibility, an act of offering and solidarity of the Union of Greek Shipowners.

I want to thank the President of the Union Ms. Melina Travlou, and in her person all the members of the Hellenic Armed Forces, who they have 50 million euros in the areas affected by unprecedented disasters. Initially, a significant part of this amount will be allocated to Building Infrastructure, for school units that need extensive restoration work, improvement of electromechanical installations, energy upgrading and reconstruction of the surrounding area, so that they become functional, modern and upgraded.

Table with the school units in Thessaly and Central Greece in which the restoration work will be carried out by KTYP with the donation of EEE

The projects will be executed based on Article 25 of Law 5049/2023, which concerns the procedures for the urgent execution of projects by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and its supervised entities, in civil protection emergencies. The list of school units, in which KTYP will carry out the projects, and there is already a first detailed record, will be included in a relevant Ministerial Decision.

The Greek State undertakes, after consultation with the Union of Greek Shipowners, the publication of the financing of the projects to be undertaken by the Union. I want, once again, to thank the Union for its offer and its trust. Confidence in Building Infrastructures, a supervised entity of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, which has proven that it can, on time, implement important projects, in terms of economic efficiency and social reciprocity. Together, we will show ourselves worthy of society’s expectations.”

As stated by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, responsible for Infrastructure, Nikos Tachiaos:

“The key word in today’s signing is ‘trust’. Greek society must show confidence in the Greek navy, who first rushes to help in a very difficult situation, especially for the inhabitants of Thessaly. And the trust of the Greek fleet towards the Greek state, which through KTYP can offer a project of very high quality and with assurance of integrity in the management of money. This is a very good start, in a big project, which aims not only to restore the damage in Thessaly, but to do it better than before”.

The President of the Hellenic Shipowners’ Association (EEE) Melina Travlou he said characteristically: “The Union of Greek Shipowners immediately responded to the call of the Prime Minister, about two months ago, for our contribution to the restoration of the damages in the affected areas of Thessaly and the surrounding areas.

We, as the Greek Navy, we responded immediately and in less than 10 days we collected over 50 million in our special fundas we were asked by the motherland.

First of all, I want to thank you, Mr. Minister, as well as the relevant Ministries and the Building Infrastructure services for the perfect cooperation, so that we can sign this Memorandum of Cooperation today.

The Union of Greek Shipowners and the Greek shipowners have always supported education and we are proud to take over the 33 schools, which are all the school units that have been affected. We are by your side, by the motherland, as always.

I want to emphasize that this is the first project we are undertaking and we are in constant collaboration with you, to see further how we will utilize the rest of our donation”.

On his part, the Managing Director of the company “Building Infrastructure SA” Athanasios Giannaris he emphasized: “Ocean shipping sails steadily next to the homeland whenever needed. We consider it our duty to make the best use of this donation. The schools should not only be restored, but made modern and better than they were before, so that they are filled with happy children. “Building Infrastructure S.A.” she is dedicated to her mission and we will complete it with consistency and efficiency.”