Aiming to contain the smuggling of marine fuel, the Ministry of National Economy and Finance and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) are installing new monitoring software on vessels.
This year, ministry officials stress that the focus will be on suppressing smuggling by taking measures that will limit its extent. Therefore, as of Thursday, the software for monitoring and sending data from the local inflow-outflow systems of floating marine fuel transport vehicles to the AADE signal reception center is now available.
The collection of this data is expected, as reported by the tax administration, to provide a significant boost in the fight against the smuggling of energy products. Within two months, everyone concerned must proceed with the installation of the software in the computing unit of floating logistics and transport means.
Until April 30, the measurement data and alarms of the local input-output system are being sent to the AADE signal reception center on a pilot basis. From May 1 onward, the system for sending the above data will be put into operation and sanctions will be imposed in the event of an irregularity being detected.
The changes to the floating logistics means consist of a computing unit with certain security specifications, which will mandatorily be installed on the floating logistics-transport means; data management software, provided by AADE, which the unit will install for the collection of input-output and alarm data and for storage of data and sending it to the AADE signal reception center; and interoperability of the software with the local input-output measurement system.
A prerequisite for making the application available to an installer is either its registration with AADE’s register of energy product tanks of floating vehicles, or its authorization by the shipowner or manager who has already been registered in it.
It is noted that in 2024, 17,345 liquid fuel inspections were carried out and 1,765 violations were found. Taxes and fines reached 199.5 million euros. For 2025, inspections will record a spectacular increase and Minister Kostis Hatzidakis has called for the intensification of inspections.