ΜΒΑ ΙΝ SHIPPING

Geopolitics and Shipping

On June 17, 2026, at the Maritime Museum of Chios, and on the occasion of the graduation of the students of the MBA in Shipping postgraduate program of the University of the Aegean, a seminar was held on the topic “Geopolitics and Shipping.” The aim of the seminar was to highlight the decisive role of shipping in today’s global environment.

The event featured a speech and presentation by the IMO Maritime Ambassador in Greece, Mr. Leonidas Dimitriadis–Evgenidis.

In his speech, Mr. Dimitriadis–Evgenidis stated that shipping is not merely a professional sector, but one of the fundamental mechanisms supporting the functioning of the global economy. He emphasized that in a world where geopolitical developments rapidly translate into global impacts, shipping lies at the core of these developments, transporting not only goods but also the very balance of the market.

At the same time, he underlined that the future of shipping is not based solely on assets, but primarily on the ability to understand the world and adapt to continuous change. He described the sector as dynamic and global, remaining critical even in times of instability, acting as a bridge between economies and societies.

The Maritime Ambassador also placed particular emphasis on his role, which aims to bring young people closer to shipping, enhance their understanding of the modern world, and highlight the importance of the IMO at an international level.

Piraeus | Open Seas

The event “Piraeus – Open Seas” was successfully held on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI), as part of the “Sea Days 2026”, the city’s major celebration dedicated to shipping, culture, and the sea.

The event brought together distinguished representatives from government, the maritime community, the business sector, and academia, highlighting Piraeus as an international hub for dialogue and development in the shipping industry of the future.

A highlight of the event was the participation of Leonidas Dimitriadis-Evgenidis, IMO Maritime Goodwill Ambassador. In his address, he emphasized the strategic importance of Greek shipping to the global economy, as well as the need for the sector to adapt to evolving international demands.

He further underlined the pivotal role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as the global body shaping the regulatory framework of international shipping, establishing rules for safety, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Through this framework, the smooth functioning of global trade is ensured, while supporting the transition of the industry toward a greener and more technologically advanced future.

Skilling and Upskilling the NextGen Seafarers
Posidonia 2026

As part of the Posidonia 2026 celebrations, the Eugenides Foundation organized the event “Skilling and Upskilling the NextGen Seafarers”, reaffirming its long-standing contribution to advancing maritime education and strengthening its connection with the international shipping community.

IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador Mr. Leonidas Dimitriades‑Eugenides highlighted the critical role of human capital in the future of shipping, emphasizing that the sector’s sustainability and safety depend on the education and continuous upskilling of seafarers.

In the context of his mission as IMO Ambassador, he underlined the importance of promoting an international, high-quality and forward-looking educational framework, aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s priorities for safety, innovation and sustainable development.

Particular emphasis was placed on collaboration with the World Maritime University, founded by the IMO, further strengthening the links between Greek maritime education and the global maritime knowledge and policy ecosystem.

Participation of ΙΜΟ Goodwill Maritime Ambassador in RINA event at Posidonia 2026

Mr. Leonidas Dimitriadis‑Eugenides, IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador in Greece and President of the Eugenides Group, participated in an event organized by the Italian classification society RINA, held within the framework of Posidonia 2026 on 27 May 2026 at the Metropolitan Expo.

Following the event, he engaged in a discussion with students from Bocconi University, highlighting current challenges facing global shipping, with particular emphasis on the role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in shaping international regulations for sustainable development and decarbonization of the sector.

Mr. Dimitriadis‑Eugenides stressed that, in a period of geopolitical shifts and transforming supply chains, shipping remains a fundamental pillar of global trade and requires strong international coordination.

His participation underlined the active role of Greek shipping within the international maritime community and its contribution to advancing the IMO’s objectives for a more sustainable future.

39 students from the Engineering Department of the Merchant Marine Academy of Michaniona meet with the IMO Maritime Ambassador in Greece

The Maritime Ambassador of the IMO in Greece, Mr. Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenides, had the opportunity to meet with the cadets of the Merchant Marine Academy (AEN) of Michaniona in an open and meaningful dialogue. During the discussion, he highlighted the crucial role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in shaping a safe, sustainable, and modern maritime environment.

The cadets shared their expectations as well as their concerns about the seafaring profession, while also being informed about the international challenges facing shipping today. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of responsible maritime leadership as a key pillar for the evolution of the sector in the new era.

Implementation of the EU
Industrial Maritime & EU Ports Strategy

On Thursday, 30 April 2026, an event entitled “Implementation of the EU Industrial Maritime & EU Ports Strategy” was held at the Auditorium of the Eugenides Foundation. The event was organised by the Waterborne Technology Platform, in cooperation with the Eugenides Foundation, under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

Keynote speeches were delivered by the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Mr Vasilis Kikilias, and Member of the European Parliament, Ms Eliza Vozemberg, while a welcoming address was given by the IMO Maritime Ambassador to Greece, Mr Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenides.

Mr Dimitriadis-Eugenides stressed that the main challenge today is no longer the design of strategies, but their effective and timely implementation, with an emphasis on competitiveness, regulatory clarity, and the transformation of European policies into tangible investments and innovation in the maritime and port sectors.

He made special reference to the human factor — skills, education, and adaptability — as a decisive element for the success of the green and digital transition of shipping, highlighting the role of institutions such as the Eugenides Foundation in strengthening maritime knowledge and training, in full alignment with the values and priorities of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

His presence and intervention at the conference form part of his broader work as an IMO Ambassador, actively contributing to the international dialogue on safe, sustainable, and competitive global shipping.

3rd International Conference on Maritime Security
Μaritime Security in an Era of Geopolitical, Geoeconomic and Technological Disruption

On the occasion of the 3rd International Conference on Maritime Security, held on 28 April 2026 at the Auditorium of the Eugenides Foundation, Leonidas Dimitriadis Eugenides, IMO Maritime Goodwill Ambassador, delivered a welcoming address, highlighting the critical role of shipping as a pillar of stability in a period marked by significant geopolitical, geoeconomic, and technological transformations.

The Maritime Ambassador emphasized that the international system is entering a phase of structural uncertainty, in which sea lanes are gaining increased strategic importance and maritime security can no longer be regarded solely as a technical matter, but rather as an issue of international governance and cooperation.

Particular emphasis was placed on the need to preserve the seas as a domain of stability, freedom of navigation, and cooperation, fully aligned with the principles and regulatory framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It was underscored that, in times of heightened uncertainty, stability is not a given; it is built through resilient international institutional frameworks, cooperation, and a shared commitment to the fundamental principles of the international maritime system.

From the Past to the Present

On Friday, 24 April 2026, the 14th Panhellenic Conference of Maritime Museums was held at the Hellenic Maritime Museum.

The conference, entitled “From the Past to the Present: Contemporary Museum Practices in the Presentation of Maritime Cultural Heritage,” highlighted the critical role of maritime museums as living institutions of memory, education, and cultural continuity.

Among the speakers at the conference was the IMO Maritime Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Dimitriadis-Evgenidis, who focused on linking maritime heritage with the contemporary needs of education and the shipping industry.

Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that, for Greece, shipping is not merely an economic sector but a cornerstone of its historical and developmental identity.

Within the modern context of rapid technological, energy, and geopolitical changes, a central challenge identified was the skills gap and the need for a meaningful connection between knowledge and practice. In this framework, the role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was highlighted as decisive, both in shaping international policies for sustainable shipping and in promoting maritime education and professional awareness among young people.

Finally, Mr. Dimitriadis-Evgenidis emphasized that attracting pupils, students, and young scientists to the maritime sector cannot rely solely on technical training, but requires an understanding of the sector’s values, responsibilities, and international role.

I Choose Shipping

On Saturday, 21 March 2026, the 39th “I Choose Shipping” Conference of Isalos.net took place in the auditorium of the Eugenides Foundation.

During the event, more than 500 cadets from Merchant Marine Academies gathered at the Eugenides Foundation and had the opportunity to participate in the conference proceedings. These young men and women, who filled every corner of the Foundation’s premises, are cadets from the Merchant Marine Academies of Epirus, the Ionian Islands, Kalymnos, Kymi, Laconia, Oinousses, Syros, Hydra, Chios, as well as Aspropyrgos.

The conference was honored by the presence of the IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador for Greece, who also delivered a welcome address. In his speech, he welcomed and encouraged the cadets as they embark on their first training voyage, referred to the unique aspects and challenges of the seafaring profession, and emphasized the importance of the IMO for global shipping.

The Role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Addressing the Challenges of Global Shipping

On 13 March 2026, the 1st Academic Conference on International Maritime Law was held at the Amphitheatre of the Old School of Philosophy at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, under the title “International Navigation in 2050: Its Future in a Changing World of Challenges and Innovation.”

In his address, the IMO Maritime Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Dimitriadis Evgenidis, analyzed the pivotal role of shipping in the global economy, noting that it constitutes an “invisible yet critical infrastructure” that carries 90% of world trade.

Emphasizing the significant role of the IMO, he presented the historical background of the organization’s establishment, its objectives, as well as the full range of core conventions governing ship safety, environmental protection, seafarer training, labor rights, and liability/compensation in shipping.

He analyzed current challenges: geopolitical tensions, the need for global regulations, decarbonization by 2050, the energy transition, new fuels, the digital transition, cybersecurity, and Europe’s dynamic role.

In closing, he underlined that the shipping of the future will be shaped not only on ships and in shipyards, but also “in the rooms where international rules are written.