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Education and upskilling of the NextGen Seafarers at the focus of the Eugenides Foundation event at Posidonia 2026

The Eugenides Foundation, together with leading representatives of international maritime education and industry, provided substantive answers to the top challenge of the need to train and upgrade the skills of the next generation of seafarers, through a high-level event in the context of the major international maritime exhibition Posidonia 2026.

Utilizing 70 years of experience and contribution of the Eugenides Foundation in the education, knowledge and skills development of young people in Greece, as well as a network of important international partnerships, the event entitled "Skilling and Upskilling the NextGen Seafarers: Eugenides Foundation Advances into the International Education Ecosystem", 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-Eugenides, stressed that “shipping is facing a period of profound transformation, as the green transition, digitalization, artificial intelligence and new safety requirements are radically reshaping the sector”. As he pointed out, “the future of shipping will depend primarily on its people and their ability to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the times.”

Referring to the strategy of the Eugenides Foundation, he underlined the continuous 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. As he said, “only through close cooperation among the shipping industry, the academic community, international organizations and the state maritime education remain up to date and responsive to the needs created by technological, environmental and geopolitical developments”.

He made special reference to the internationally recognized Maritime English programme of the Eugenides Foundation, which provides modern digital education, assessment and

certification of language skills in accordance with the standards of the IMO and the STCW Convention, in collaboration with the British Council and RINA.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Dimitriadis-Eugenides underlined that “investing in the new generation of seafarers is an investment in the sustainability, safety and competitiveness of global shipping, as, despite rapid technological progress, shipping will remain a people-driven industry over time”.

With Artificial Intelligence, automation and the green transition redefining the sector, the need for continuous training and adaptation of seafarers' skills is crucial for the sustainability and competitiveness of global shipping.

Responding to this need, the Eugenides Foundation launched a globally recognized learning and evaluation system for Maritime English. In the context of the decision to transition from printed books to digital educational resources, the Foundation started the effort with Maritime English series. This choice was mainly driven by the critical role of Maritime English in ensuring safe operations and successful careers at sea.

The platform enables cadets to seafarers to improve their language skills independently and at their own pace. The platform complies with IMO and STCW standards, while a component for the assessment of the acquired level of the knowledge of Maritime English and a component for the certification of this level through a suitable test were introduced, in collaboration with the British Council and the Italian classification society RINA.

Prof. Ioannis Golias, Governor of the Eugenides Foundation, said: “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in maritime education and professional development. By combining educational expertise and strong writing skills, English language international assessment standards, and maritime industry know-how, the partnership is working towards creating a credible and globally recognized learning, assessment, and certification framework for Maritime English. This integrated ecosystem will improve employability and promote international mobility of seafarers within the maritime sector, while setting a new benchmark for digital maritime education worldwide”.

Within its initiatives towards leading the transition from conventional books to digital and interactive educational material for maritime education, the Eugenides Foundation has also developed two additional Merchant Marine Academy courses, which have been successfully piloted at the Marine Academies.

In this context, to accelerate its transition, the Foundation has come to an agreement with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, and the Ministry of National Economy and Finance,

for the implementation of a 42-month project aimed at enhancing all 104 courses taught at the Merchant Marine Academies. The project will develop digital educational content in the form of learning resources linked to existing teaching materials used by the Merchant Marine Academies, with the objective of improving both the learning process and the quality of maritime education.

The initiative will also support instructors in effectively integrating these resources into their teaching and in continuously enriching them in response to evolving educational needs. In parallel, a comprehensive Digital Learning Repository will be created to host all developed resources, while a Learning Management System (LMS) will be established to connect these resources directly with the curricula of the Merchant Marine Academies. Representing a major investment in the future of maritime education, the project has secured funding of €5.9 million through the ESPA framework programme and is expected to commence shortly.

The Eugenides Foundation also presented a new partnership with the World Maritime University of the IMO. The MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for academic and educational cooperation in the field of maritime studies, with a five-year horizon and the possibility of further development. The central axis of the agreement is the joint design and delivery of specialized Train-the-Trainers programmes for maritime professionals. This issue is attracting increasing interest in view of the IMO developments indicating a partial shift from ship-based experience to the use of simulators for training.

An equally important aspect of the collaboration is the provision of a scholarship by the Eugenides Foundation, which, starting from autumn 2026 and for five years, fully covers the tuition and living expenses of a candidate from Greece for the WMU’s Maritime Affairs postgraduate program in Malmö, Sweden. WMU is committed to accepting one fully funded student each year, subject to meeting the academic admission criteria.

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

"Τhe agreement confirms the shared commitment of the two organizations to promote maritime education, research, training and the development of skills required to address the major challenges of shipping and the oceans. Through this cooperation, Greece's connection with the international academic and maritime community is strengthened, contributing to the formation of a new generation of executives who will combine scientific knowledge, technological proficiency and commitment to the principles of sustainability and international cooperation", Mr. Dimitriadis- Eugenides said.

Mr. Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., President of WMU, noted: “Tomorrow’s seafarers will need more than technical expertise alone. They will need digital literacy, cyber awareness, systems thinking, accountability, adaptability and a commitment to life-long learning. Preparing such professionals requires a collective effort. The Eugenides Foundation brings a distinguished legacy of educational excellence, technological innovation and service to the maritime community. The WMU, established by the IMO, contributes a global network of maritime professionals, researchers, educators and policymakers, aiming for safer, more secure, efficient and sustainable shipping. I am confident that WMU’s partnership with Eugenides Foundation will generate meaningful benefits for the maritime community we both serve”.

During the event, representatives from the Eugenides Foundation Management Team, the Greek and international academic and shipping community, and the Greek state highlighted the critical importance of upskilling young seafarers in an environment of continuous technological, environmental, and regulatory changes.

The discussion focused on:

ü  The integration of the modern needs of the shipping industry into educational curricula

ü  The digital transformation of maritime education with interactive tools and simulation technologies

ü  Strengthening the connection between education and real-world operational conditions in the maritime sector\

ü  The development of new international partnerships that expand the maritime education ecosystem

“At the Eugenides Foundation, we see our role not simply 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 alone”, pointed Dr. Golias, and concluded: “The scale and speed of change in our sector demand deeper collaboration than ever before: between academia and industry, between public and private stakeholders, between those who design training and those who live the reality of sea service every day. If we succeed in closing these gaps, we will not only address the skills challenge, but we will also strengthen the very foundations of maritime safety, resilience, and excellence.”