The contribution of Coastal Shipping in the Regional Development of the Greek Islands. The Case of the Southern Aegean Region

The current article examines the interdependent relationship between the Greek coastal shipping system and the economic development of the Greek regions, with emphasis on the Southern Aegean islands. The methodology that is followed is based on the hypothesis that regional development is the balanced economic development of the remote island regions, as well as the Greek mainland. Available data on development of the Southern Aegean region, point to two basic sectors of economic development, the tertiary and secondary sectors, with tourism being the most important leverage of economic development. The transport sector is an important production factor since it ensures the functioning of the supply chain and the distribution of the tourism product. At the same time the isolation and the geographical distribution of the island regions demands the existence of a continuous and unbreakable communication between the island regions and the Greek mainland. Coastal shipping constitutes the most important means of transporting goods, and the primary means with over 70%, of passenger transportation. Therefore the proportional relationship between coastal shipping and the regional development of the Southern Aegean islands becomes evident.