On June 5, 2019, IMO Ambassador in Greece Mr. Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenides participated in the annual conference of TheSeaNation.gr entitled “2020: The Wind of Change in Global Shipping”, which took place at the Auditorium of the Eugenides Foundation.

Mr. Eugenides, addressing the full auditorium, including the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, the Maritime representative of the New Democracy Party, the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, the British Minister of Transport, the General Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, the Ambassador of Japan, Great Britain and Korea, the President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the President of INTERCARGO, representatives of the shipping industry and many students of the maritime departments of the Universities and students of the Merchant Marine Academies, mentioned:

“In my view, the World Maritime Community should focus on research, innovation and education, together with entrepreneurship and know-how, to prepare future generations of shipping and shipping professionals. I believe that Greece will surely have a leading role in this process.

Greek shipowners, who were among the first to highlight the challenges of the 2020 global sulfur cap, with their experience, skills and commitment shall continue leading the necessary processes to enhance safety and environmental protection, always respecting competition- It is extremely important, to maintain the principle of free and fair competition in open trade, as well as equal conditions of competition as an essential tool for the world’s welfare because “The Sea unites, sea does not separate nations”. Greek Shipping without Greek Seafarers cannot be conceived.

As IMO Ambassador in Greece and a member of the Eugenides Foundation family, we join forces with the Greek Shipowners Union in order to attract young Greeks into Maritime professions and invite them to get onboard the Ships and support the State to further improve our educational system. Our goal must be to prepare properly educated young deck and engine officers. In the course of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the almost hybrid relation between the vessel and office emphasis should be given in education on STEM and new technologies. Our education system should encourage young students of vocational high schools and Merchant Marine Academies that operate properly and strong private education to follow a career into the sea. This is an uphill battle which we have to fight altogether pursuing to establish long-term cooperation among industry stakeholders, research institutes and training providers at all levels.”

The conference was attended by more than 400 delegates.