Two amendments tabled by the government under the omnibus development bill on Wednesday will provide additional funding to the Hellenic and Elefsis Shipyards to March 2020 for contractual obligations and staff wages at both facilities.
The shipyards have outstanding contracts with the Hellenic Navy. Hellenic Shipyards (also known as Skaramagas from its location) will be funded with an additional 21.5 million euros to complete four submarines, while Elefsina will be funded with an additional 7.65 million euros to complete two torpedo boats. The funds will be provided through the National Defence ministry's budget, and the public investment branch in particular.
In addition, National Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said he had tabled an amendment for funding wages at each of the shipyards. He explained that the funding was of an emergency nature, extending the Hellenic Navy's program which ended on September 31, and revealed that the first of the two torpedo boats will be delivered to the navy within 2020.
He added that the process of looking for an investor for the shipyards is ongoing.