Training and skills development for the next generation of seafarers take center stage at the Eugenides Foundation’s event at Posidonia 2026

The Foundation’s collaboration with the World Maritime University of the IMO, as well as the Maritime English digital platform, which is evolving into a comprehensive assessment system

The Eugenides Foundationprovided substantive answers to the key challenge of training and upskilling the next generation of seafarers, together with leading representatives of the international maritime education sector and industry, through a high-level event held as part of the major, international maritime exhibition Posidonia 2026.

Building on the Eugenides Foundation’s 70 years of experience and contributions to education, knowledge, and the development of skills among young people in Greece, as well as a network of significant international partnerships, the event titled “SkillingandUpskillingtheNextGenSeafarers: EugenidesFoundationAdvancesintotheInternationalEducationEcosystem”, focused on the major changes shaping the future of shipping and maritime education.

In his opening remarks, the President of the Eugenides Foundation, Mr. Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenidesemphasized that “the shipping industry is facing a period of profound transformation, as the green transition, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and new safety requirements are radically changing the industry’s environment.” As he pointed out, “the future of shipping will depend first and foremost on its people and their ability to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the times.”

Referring to the Eugenides Foundation’s strategy, he emphasized the ongoing strengthening of its international presence through partnerships with leading organizations and institutions, such as the World Maritime University, the Waterborne Technology Platform, the British Council, and RINA. He emphasized that “only through close cooperation between the shipping industry, the academic community, international organizations, and the government can we ensure that maritime education remains constantly up-to-date and adapted to the needs shaped by technological, environmental, and geopolitical developments.”

He made special mention of the Eugenides Foundation’s internationally recognized Maritime English system, which provides modern digital training, assessment, and certification of language skills in accordance with IMO and STCW Convention standards, in collaboration with the British Council and RINA.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Dimitriadis-Eugenidis emphasized that “Investing in the next generation of seafarers is an investment in the sustainability, safety, and competitiveness of global shipping, because, despite rapid technological progress, shipping will remain, over time, an industry of people.”

With artificial intelligence, automation, and the green transition reshaping the industry, the need for continuous training and adaptation of seafarers’ skills is becoming crucial to the sustainability and competitiveness of global shipping.

In response to this need, the Eugenides Foundation has developed a globally recognized system for teaching and evaluating seafarers’ proficiency in English (Maritime English). As part of the decision to transition from printed textbooks to digital educational resources, the Foundation began this effort in . Maritime English This choice was primarily driven by the crucial role that English plays in maritime business as well as in building a successful career in the industry.

The platform allows trainees to improve the language skills of each seafarer individually, at the pace each person prefers. The platform complies with IMO and STCW standards, and includes a tool for assessing the level of English proficiency acquired and a tool for certifying that level through an appropriate examination, in collaboration with the British Council and the Italian classification society RINA.

Professor Ioannis Golias, Director of the Eugenides Foundation, stated: "This collaboration represents a significant step forward in maritime education and professional development. By combining educational expertise and strong writing skills, international English language assessment standards, and know-how in the shipping industry, the partnership is working to create a reliable and globally recognized framework for learning, assessment, and certification in Maritime English. This integrated ecosystem will improve employability and promote the international mobility of the workforce in the shipping sector, while setting a new benchmark for digital maritime education worldwide.”

As part of its initiatives to transition from traditional textbooks to digital and interactive educational materials for maritime education, the Eugenides Foundation has also developed two additional courses that are being successfully piloted at maritime academies. 

In order to achieve this transition, the Foundation has reached an agreement with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Ministry of National Economy and Finance to implement a 42-month project aimed at strengthening all 104courses taught at the Merchant Marine Academies. The project will develop digital educational content in the form of teaching materials linked to the existing curriculum of the Merchant Marine Academies, with the aim of improving both the learning process and the quality of maritime education.

The initiative will support in addition, support instructors in effectively integrating this material into their teaching and in continuously enriching their teaching practices, responding to evolving educational needs. At the same time, a comprehensive Digital Learning Repository will be created to host all relevant material, and a Learning Management System (LMS) will be developed to link this material directly to the curricula of the Merchant Marine Academies. The project, which represents a significant investment in the future of maritime education, has secured 5.9 million euros in funding through the NSRF and is expected to begin shortly.

The Eugenides Foundation also announced its new partnership with the World Maritime University (WMU) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The agreement provides for a comprehensive framework for academic and educational cooperation in the field of maritime studies, with a five-year timeframe and the potential for further expansion. A central pillar of the agreement is the joint design and implementation of specialized train-the-trainer programs for maritime professionals. This issue is gaining increasing attention in light of developments at the IMO, which indicate a partial shift from hands-on training aboard ships to the use of simulators for training.

An equally important aspect of the collaboration is the scholarship awarded by the Eugenides Foundation, which, starting in the fall of 2026 and for five years, will fully cover the tuition and living expenses of one candidate from Greece for the Maritime Affairs master’s program at WMU in Malmö, Sweden. WMU is committed to admitting one fully funded student each year, provided that the student meets the academic admission requirements.

At the same time, cooperation is planned between the libraries of the two institutions with the aim of exchanging knowledge, enhancing digital access, and developing hybrid and interactive educational tools.

As Mr.stated Dimitriadis-Eugenidis, “The agreement reaffirms the two organizations’ shared commitment to promoting maritime education, research, training, and the development of the skills needed to address the major challenges facing shipping and the oceans.” This collaboration strengthens Greece’s ties with the international academic and shipping communities, helping to shape a new generation of professionals who will combine scientific knowledge, technological proficiency, and a commitment to the principles of sustainability and international cooperation.”

For his part, the President of the WMU, Mr. MaximoQ. MejiaJr., emphasized: "The seafarers of tomorrow will need much more than just technical knowledge. They will need digital literacy, knowledge of cyberspace, systems thinking, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Training such professionals requires a collective effort. The Eugenides Foundation has a rich legacy of educational excellence, technological innovation, and service to the shipping community. The WMU, founded by the IMO, brings together a global network of maritime professionals, researchers, educators, and policymakers, with the goal of achieving safer, more efficient, and sustainable shipping. "I am confident that the partnership between WMU and the Eugenides Foundation will yield significant benefits for the shipping community that we both serve."

During the event, representatives of the Eugenides Foundation’s administration, the Greek and international academic and shipping communities, and the Greek government, emphasized the critical importance of upgrading the skills of young seafarers in an environment of constant technological, environmental, and regulatory changes.

The discussion focused on:

1. The integration of the shipping industry's current needs into educational programs
2. The Digital Transformation of Maritime Education Through the Use of Interactive Tools and Simulation Technologies
3. Strengthening the link between education and real-world operational conditions in the shipping industry
4. The development of new international partnerships that expand the maritime education ecosystem

“At the Eugenides Foundation, we see our role not merely as a supporter of maritime education, but as an active bridge between tradition and transformation—between the accumulated wisdom of Greek shipping and the demands of a rapidly evolving global industry.” "But no institution can do this on its own," Dr. Goliath, and concluded: "The scale and pace of change in our sector require deeper collaboration than ever before: between academia and industry, between public and private entities, and between those who design educational programs and those who experience the realities of maritime service on a daily basis. "If we manage to close these gaps, we will not only address the skills challenge, but we will also strengthen the very foundations of maritime safety, resilience, and excellence." 

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70 Years of the Eugenides Foundation

The year 2026 marks a milestone for the Eugenides Foundation, as it celebrates 70 years of uninterrupted and multifaceted contributions to education, knowledge, and the development of skills among the youth of our country. This 70-year journey was the result of a collective effort. A journey shared with thousands of people: students, teachers, families, scientists, technicians, and professionals. A journey that kept knowledge alive, open, and accessible to everyone. A journey that paved the way. Which provided direction. Which shaped a better tomorrow. Because the future doesn't just happen. We're shaping it together. And the future has a history.