When European Union member states sit around the table in Brussels to discuss regulations for shipping emissions, you can bet your bottom dollar that Greece will object.

Athens will trot out the well-­rehearsed lines about “unrealistic” proposals and the need for more “reliable data” before an EU-wide position is adopted.

There are two other certainties: that the Greek position will be almost identical to that of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS); and that Athens will be able to rely on the support of Cyprus.