The aim of the one day-Forum was to provide an opportunity to shipping experts from around the world, to examine and analyze the current and future state of the industry amidst the fast political,economic and technological developments we experience on a daily basis.

The Forum was geared to deal with in two main sessions: one am and the other pm.The morning session dealt with economic, financial, geopolitical and related matters with an impact on the structure of shipping and shipping markets while the afternoon session dealt with technological developments impacting the design and equipment of ships and matters relating to the marine/atmospheric environment and security (piracy and terrorist attacks) at sea.

The morning session was chaired by the renowned French economist and until recently Executive Director of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Mr. Pascal Lamy and the afternoon session by the Chairman of the “Maria Tsakos” Foundation and Emeritus Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr. Efthymios E. Mitropoulos.

Our ambition was to secure the participation, as moderators and panellists, of prominent individuals from the international maritime community to enable the Forum to achieve its objectives and, in final analysis, to contribute to a better understanding of the various forces that shape our industry today and may influence its state in the years to come.

Check out the  AGENDA of the Forum.

Below you can visit the Forum’s microsite on Capital Link

In 1994 he was ordained deacon and in 2000 he was ordained priest. In 1999 he was assigned as a preacher of the Holy Metropolis of Chios. Ιn 2000, he was Assistant Secretary Chancellor, in 2003 he served as Second-in-line Secretary of the Holy Synod, in 2006 Primus Secretary of the Holy Synod and in 2010 Secretary Chancellor of the Holy Synod with the responsibility of the drafting, the amending and the literary editing of all the Holy Synod documents. He is also a Stated Member of the returning board of the Library of the Holy Synod, the Supreme Service Church Council and the Special Synodic Boards which concern: a) the cultural identity, b) the observation of European matters, and c) sports. He can speak English. He is a Member of the Greek Philologists’ Association, the Hellenic Theologists’ Association and the Literature Club “Parnassos”. He has participated as a speaker in International and Greek Conferences of theological, literature and historic interest, as well as in Church Missions both in Greece and above.

He has written books, studies and articles in newspapers and magazines. In 2001 he was appointed as a Literature teacher of Secondary Education and he has been approved by the Athens School of Philosophy to prepare his Ph.D. in Byzantine Literature. He has been honoured many times. After his recommendations, the Holy Synod has appointed Efstathios, Archbishop of Thessaloniki as a Protector of the Homer’s Studies. In 2011, he was ordained Eminent Metropolitan Bishop of Chios, Psara and Oinousses.

He has been a Member of the Scientific Council of the “Maria Tsakos” Foundation since 2012.

A signing ceremony to commemorate the agreement between the two partners was held at the Foundation’s headquarters in Athens on 29 November 2013. ClassNK Chairman and President Noboru Ueda, and “Maria Tsakos” Foundation Chairman and IMO Secretary-General Emeritus Efthymios Mitropoulos signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of their respective organizations. They were joined by a number of distinguished guests including Captain Panagiotis Tsakos, Founder of the Tsakos Group of Companies, Mr. V. Papageorgiou, Vice President of the Group and Dr. S. Krimizis, Chairman of the Foundation’s Scientific Council, among others.

The Chios-based “Maria Tsakos” Foundation-International Center for Maritime Research and Tradition, was founded in 2008 by the family of Captain Panagiotis N. Tsakos, one of Greece’s most renowned shipowning companies. Since its founding, the Foundation has grown to become one of the leading maritime NGOs and philanthropic organizations in Greece, and is known internationally for its relentless efforts in support of the maritime industry and seafarers.

ClassNK is one of the world’s leading classification societies, providing safety and certification services for more than 8,500 vessels representing more than 20% of the world’s merchant fleet in terms of tonnage. The society is supporting the new study as part of its Joint R&D for Industry program, which has provided funding and research support for more than 250 joint maritime R&D projects since its inception in 2009.

The first project under the co-operation scheme is a research study to improve seafarer health and welfare, largely financed by ClassNK.

The objective of the Project (code-named S.H.I.P.S., i.e., Study on the Health Impact of air-Pollution in Ships) is to assess levels of exposure to ambient particles to establish whether they constitute a health hazard for ship crews, especially those working in the engine rooms, and to quantify any associated potential health risks

As part of the study, environmental fixed measurements and personal measurements are taken on-board 3 liquid cargo ships, 3 dry bulk cargo ships and 3 containerships. The project has two phases. First, a pilot study is underway to determine whether ambient air measurements of Particulate Matter (PM), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), reach health hazardous levels. If that is the case, a second phase will determine specification and quantification of the associated health risks.

It is expected that the research, the first phase of which is expected to be completed by end of 2014, will provide a greater understanding of the potential health risks posed by air pollution in engine rooms and help better ensure the safety of seafarers.

The Founder, Captain P. Tsakos warmly welcomed the Japanese delegation to the meeting and expressed his delight for the co-operation hammered out and his wish for a close and strong co-operation for many years to come to the benefit of shipping and the seafarers.

Speaking on the occasion, ClassNK Chairman and President Ueda highlighted the importance of the Maria Tsakos Foundation’s work saying: “It is a great honor to be able to work together with one of the world’s leading maritime NGO’s to promote safer shipping and better conditions for seafarers. It is our hope that this project is only the first of many such collaborations to ensure a better future for our industry.

This sentiment was echoed by Chairman Efthymios Mitropoulos, who thanked ClassNK for its contribution to safety and environmental protection and stressed that he was looking forward to working closely with ClassNK in the future.

For more information please contact:

The “Maria Tsakos” Foundation–International Center for Maritime Research and Tradition

Dr.Evi Hatziandreou, Scientific Director

Tel:   +30-210-9498715

Email: fmtchios@tsakoshellas.gr

ClassNK Executive Operations Division

Tel:   +81 3-5226-2047

Fax: +81 3-5226-2034

Email:  eod@classnk.or.jp

Speeches

Mr. Efthymios E. Mitropoulos’ speech

Mr. Noboru Ueda’s speech

Photos from the signing ceremony 

Captain Panagiotis Tsakos in his remarks stressed his concern for maintaining school operation in Kardamyla and offering opportunities for the young people to excel. He considers this as a duty and obligation, “Without this School greek shipping would not be what it is today. Instead of ships more likely, there would be an equal number of sheep grazing the land of Chios!”

The facility has the capacity of accommodating up to 25 students. It consists of a modern boarding house with all the necessary comforts and amenities, including a computer lab, playing grounds and a garden with homegrown fruits and vegetables.

The graduation ceremony took place at the port of Chios in front of S/Y MANIA. The Chairman of the “Maria Tsakos” Foundation, Mr. Efthimios Mitropoulos, the Chief of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Mr. Dimitrios Mpantias and delegates of the 5th European Coast Guard Functions Forum were present along with friends and families of the children who participated in the programs “Navigation” and “Traditional Shipbuilding”.

Part of the ceremony was the launch and placement on board S/Y MANIA of the rescue boat that was the outcome of the work of the team of “Traditional Shipbuilding”.

Photos:

The specific educational program comprises of two sub programs:

The program has been warmly received by the Chian community in great enthusiasm and participation.

It’s first circles concluded their works on 16/6/2012. The students who participated in the programs “Navigation” and “Traditional Shipbuilding” received Certificates of Participation in a special ceremony which took place at the Foundation’s atrium.

Download the event’s invitation

Download Maria’s House Brochure