Greek Shipowners Invest 848mln US

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It looks like Greek shipowners are doing very well. Reports in Athens claim that they purchased about 72 ships within the first three months of 2013 and invested some 848 million US in their companies, (a 244 million US increase and an additional 32 ships from the previous year.)

According to ANSA, citing Allied Shipbroking, Greek shipowners absorbed the 28% of the dry bulk cargo ships that have changed hands between the period of January-March, the 17% of tankers as well as the 23% of the dry bulk cargo ships.

The report says they invested about 420 million US to buy 43 dry bulk cargo ships, 352 million US for 20 tankers and 75 million US for container ships. During the first three month period of this year approximately 315 ships worth 3.476 billion US changed hands worldwide. Greeks remain at the top of the buyers and the Chinese follow with the purchase of 19 ships worth 117 million US.

Question 1: Will these investments generate jobs in Greece?

Question 2: Will these jobs be given to Greek nationals?

Question 3: When will Greek shipowners begin paying their share of taxes to the Greek state and stop threatening to change their flags every time the state asks them to do so?

Question 4: Will Greek shipowners finally give back to Greek society, and make investments in Greece like other veteran and legendary shipping tycoons of the past (example -A.Onassis, Niarchos family)?