Greek shipping ministry to be abolished
The new Greek government has laid out plans to reform the country's civil service, including abolishing the shipping ministry and splitting its functions. The old ministry's trade and commercial activities will now fall under the new Ministry of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping, while ports, security and the Greek coastguard service will forms a new department within the Ministry of the Interior. New Prime Ministry George Papandreou is thought to be keen on what he sees as rationalisation and reform of the industry as he seeks to slash Greece's deficit and debt.