As part of its activities to support the next generation of port and maritime professionals, BLUE PORTS is launching the BLUE PORTS Academy, a targetted training programme focusing on the green transition and sustainable development of ports.

The programme is organised by the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems Laboratory (ReSEL@TUC) of the Technical University of Crete, Coordinator of the BLUE PORTS project. It is specifically designed for final-year students and recent graduates in maritime studies and engineering.

Building on the knowledge and training experience developed through BLUE PORTS, the Academy aims to inform, empower and support young people interested in pursuing a career in the port and maritime sectors, equipping them with relevant knowledge and skills while introducing them to the challenges and opportunities associated with the transition towards sustainable, smart and resilient ports.


Training programme

The BLUE PORTS Academy will take place on 8, 14, 16 and 21 October 2026, with a total duration of 12 hours. It will be delivered in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend either in person at the Technical University of Crete or online.

The programme covers four key areas:
• Sustainable Port Development
• Energy Transition towards Net-Zero Ports
• Circular Economy for Zero-Waste Ports
• Environmental Protection towards Zero-Impact Ports


What will participants gain?

Through the BLUE PORTS Academy, participants will have the opportunity to:

• gain practical insights into real-world applications and current practices in the port sector;
• develop relevant skills aligned with the evolving needs of the labour market;
• strengthen their academic and professional profile with knowledge related to port sustainability and the green transition;
• broaden their career perspectives in the rapidly evolving port and maritime sectors.

Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive a Certificate of Attendance.


Investing in the next generation

The BLUE PORTS Academy extends the project’s capacity-building activities to young talents who are preparing to enter the maritime and port sectors. By introducing sustainability and the green transition early in their professional pathways, the initiative seeks to help prepare a new generation of professionals able to contribute to the transformation of European ports.


The programme will be delivered in Greek and participation is free of charge.

Call for Applications

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On 3 June 2026, the BLUE PORTS consortium successfully held the international conference “NET ZERO PORTS: Empowering the Human Capital Behind the Green Transition” within the framework of Posidonia 2026 in Athens, the world’s leading international maritime exhibition. The event was organised by the BLUE PORTS Consortium, under the coordination of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Lab of the Technical University of Crete (ReSEL TUC), in collaboration with the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME) and the Heraklion Port Authority, with the support of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy.

Within the frame of the most important global maritime gatherings, attracting more than 40,000 participants from over 130 countries, the BLUE PORTS conference provided a unique opportunity to place workforce development and sustainability skills at the centre of discussions on the future of ports and shipping. The conference brought together representatives from ports, maritime organisations, certification bodies, policymakers, training providers, industry associations and sustainability professionals from across Europe and beyond to discuss one of the most pressing challenges facing the maritime sector: developing the skills and competencies needed to support the green transition of ports.

Human capital at the centre of the green transition

The event opened with welcome addresses from representatives of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME), the Technical University of Crete and the Heraklion Port Authority. A keynote intervention by Andreea Strachinescu, Head of Unit for Maritime Innovation, Marine Knowledge and Investment at the European Commission (DG MARE), presented the European Ocean Pact and emphasised the growing importance of blue skills and workforce development in achieving Europe’s sustainability and decarbonisation objectives.

The first round table, moderated by Prof. Theocharis Tsoutsos, Director of theRenewable and Sustainable Energy Lab of the Technical University of Crete, focused on the development of a qualified workforce for greener ports and presented the achievements and lessons learned from the implementation of the BLUE PORTS project. Representatives from the Heraklion Port Authority, TÜV NORD HELLAS, Fundación Valenciaport, the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia and the Technical University of Crete highlighted the importance of creating a sustainability culture across port organisations, fostering cooperation among stakeholders and ensuring that training and certification programmes remain aligned with evolving market needs and technological developments. Panellists also stressed that the development of human capital, both operational and managerial personnel, is a prerequisite for ensuring that investments in green infrastructure and innovative technologies deliver their intended environmental benefits.

Strong support from the maritime and port community

The second round table, moderated by Vasileios Mamalis, Executive Director of the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME), brought together key stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the BLUE PORTS Certification Scheme through the project’s National Technical Committees, including representatives from the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping (NEE), the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN), the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE), as well as European-level maritime and port networks such as MedCruise and the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO). The discussion was further enriched by video statements from the Port Authority of Valencia (APV), the Italian Shipowners’ Association (Assarmatori) and Poti New Sea Port of Georgia.

Discussions addressed emerging operational challenges related to shore-side electricity (cold ironing), alternative fuels, digitalisation, climate adaptation and environmental compliance. Speakers agreed that certification schemes such as BLUE PORTS can play an important role in equipping current and future professionals with the competencies needed to address these challenges effectively. The debate also highlighted the importance of collaboration between ports, shipping companies, regulators, professional associations and educational institutions to ensure that workforce development keeps pace with the rapid transformation of the maritime sector. A series of video statements from international port and maritime stakeholders further reinforced the importance of continuous learning, cooperation and knowledge exchange in building a sustainable port ecosystem.

Voices from the first blue ports candidates

One of the most inspiring moments of the conference was the presentation of testimonials from participants currently enrolled in the BLUE PORTS training and certification programmes in Greece, Italy, Spain and Georgia.

Candidates highlighted how the programme is helping them acquire practical knowledge, better understand sustainability challenges and develop the competencies needed to support environmental improvements within their organisations. They also emphasised the value of networking opportunities and the importance of certification as a pathway for professional development and career advancement within the evolving blue economy.

The testimonials demonstrated that the development of sustainability competencies is already generating tangible benefits for ports and ports workforce and helping create a common understanding of sustainability challenges and opportunities across the sector.

Future skills for greener ports

The final round table, moderated by Leonardo Manzari, Senior Expert on Blue Economy,  explored future pathways for expanding workforce capacity and scaling up certification initiatives across the maritime sector. Experts from MedCruise, WestMED, Escola Europea, the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia and Batumi State Maritime Academy reiterated that while technologies and infrastructure are essential, success ultimately depends on the ability of organisations to adapt, learn and embrace new ways of working. Training, reskilling and lifelong learning were identified as critical enablers of this transformation. Speakers also highlighted the importance of ensuring that sustainability knowledge reaches all levels of port organisations. BLUE PORTS was highlighted as a pioneering certification scheme specifically designed and accredited for port sustainability personnel.

BLUE PORTS at the Posidonia exhibition: Networking and stakeholder engagement

In addition to organising the conference, the BLUE PORTS consortium maintained a strong presence throughout the exhibition through the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME) stand, where project partners engaged with port authorities, maritime organisations, training providers, certification bodies and industry stakeholders. Visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the BLUE PORTS training and certification scheme, its implementation across Europe, and its benefits for all stakeholders across the port ecosystem value chain.

Key Conclusions

The conference concluded with a strong consensus that the green transition of ports is ultimately a people-driven transformation. Participants highlighted the growing importance of green and digital skills, as well as the role of training, certification and lifelong learning in supporting sustainable port operations. Cooperation between ports, industry, educational institutions and certification bodies was recognised as essential for addressing future workforce needs, with the BLUE PORTS Certification Scheme presented as a scalable model for the wider blue economy.

Beyond the conference sessions, Posidonia 2026 provided valuable opportunities for networking and stakeholder engagement. Through its presence at the ELIME exhibition stand, BLUE PORTS reached a broad international audience and strengthened connections with key maritime and port stakeholders interested in advancing sustainability skills and certification.

As the project moves towards the completion of its pilot implementation phase, the BLUE PORTS consortium remains committed to equipping ports with the people needed to achieve a net-zero future.

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The BLUE PORTS Consortium is pleased to announce the organisation of the international conference “NET ZERO PORTS: Empowering the Human Capital Behind the Green Transition” which will take place within the framework of Posidonia 2026, one of the world’s leading maritime exhibitions, attracting more than 40,000 participants from over 130 countries. Posidonia is organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, and the Union of Greek Shipowners.

📅 Wednesday, 3 June 2026
🕥 10:45 – 14:30
📍 Posidonia Seminar Room 1A, Athens Metropolitan Expo

The event is organised by the BLUE PORTS Consortium, under the coordination of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems Lab of the Technical University of Crete (ReSEL TUC), in collaboration with the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME) and the Heraklion Port Authority, with the support of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy.

As ports and the wider maritime sector accelerate towards climate neutrality, the need for a skilled and future-ready workforce is becoming a strategic priority for the blue economy. The conference will bring together representatives from European institutions, port authorities, maritime organisations, accreditation bodies, training providers and industry stakeholders to discuss the competencies, professional profiles and certification mechanisms required to support the green transition of ports.

The conference programme will explore:

• the future skills required for greener and smarter ports,

• workforce challenges linked to port decarbonisation,

• the role of professional certification and upskilling,

• and opportunities for strengthening blue careers across the maritime ecosystem.

Through keynote speeches, high-level panel discussions and stakeholder testimonials, participants will exchange experiences and discuss future pathways for scaling up workforce capacity and sustainability competencies in the port and maritime sectors.

The conference is organised in the framework of the BLUE PORTS project, co-funded by the European Commission through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). Through this conference, BLUE PORTS reaffirms its commitment to strengthening skills and professional capacity within the port ecosystem, supporting the green transition of ports through a mutually acknowledged European training and certification scheme in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024, while promoting wider adoption, transferability and stakeholder engagement across the maritime sector.

Provisional Agenda

📌 Registration is now open:
https://forms.gle/J31mkRbbcVtqWQdEA

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Athens, 26 November 2025 – The National Technical University of Athens hosted the “From Insights to Impacts: Designing the Future of Sustainable Shipping in the Mediterranean” GreenMED conference today, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and academics to chart a greener course for shipping in the region.

Among the distinguished speakers, Prof. Theocharis Tsoutsos, founder and Director of the Renewable & Sustainable Energy Laboratory at the Technical University of Crete, presented the BLUE PORTS certification scheme, a pioneering initiative aimed at developing a qualified workforce for greener services in island ports. The scheme is developed in the frame of the BLUE PORTS project, co-funded by the European Commission through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). His session highlighted how the project equips port managers, operators and port service providers, with the skills and competencies needed to implement sustainable practices, reduce emissions, and advance the Mediterranean’s transition to carbon-neutral maritime operations.

Prof. Tsoutsos emphasized the importance of workforce upskilling and certification as a cornerstone of sustainable port development, ensuring that ports not only serve trade but also become active contributors to maritime decarbonization.

The full event is available to watch online: https://lnkd.in/eazJ23hq

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The BLUE PORTS project proudly participated in Ecomondo 2025, one of Europe’s foremost exhibitions dedicated to the green and circular economy, held in Rimini, Italy between 4-7 November 2025, gathering around 100.000 participants, amongst them companies, start-ups, researchers, innovators, and policymakers.

Recognized for its innovative contribution to the sustainability of European ports, BLUE PORTS was selected as one of the flagship European initiatives, and showcased at the European Commission’s stand, hosted by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), among other outstanding EU-supported projects.

Representatives from the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems Laboratory of the Technical University of Crete (ReSEL@TUC)—the project’s coordinating partner—presented the project’s vision and key outcomes, highlighting how BLUE PORTS is accelerating the green transition of European ports through the certification of the ports’ and port operators’ personnel.

The participation of BLUE PORTS marks a significant milestone that highlights the impact of sustainable innovation in shaping the future of European ports.

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The BLUE PORTS project proudly participated in the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025, held in Barcelona between 4-6 November 2025, gathering more than 25.000 participants from 140 countries.
Invited by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), BLUE PORTS was showcased at the European Commission’s stand, among other outstanding initiatives and projects supported by the Commission. This recognition highlights BLUE PORTS’ pioneering role in driving the green transition of European ports.

As project coordinator, ReSEL@TUC presented the BLUE PORTS Certification Scheme for port sustainability personnel, highlighting its contribution to the development of sustainable and smart ports — and, by extension, smarter cities. The team also connected with port authorities, city leaders, tech innovators, and investors from across Europe, fostering collaboration and sharing insights for sustainable maritime development. The official invitation to showcase BLUE PORTS at the European Commission’s exhibition area highlights the growing importance of transforming ports into greener, smarter, and more sustainable hubs for the future.

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The BLUE PORTS team proudly announces the BLUE PORTS project participation at Ecomondo 2025, one of Europe’s leading events dedicated to the green and circular economy.

The BLUE PORTS project has been selected as one of the flagship European initiatives among outstanding projects supported by the European Commission. It will be featured at the European Commission’s stand, hosted by CINEA and EISMEA, on Friday, 7 November 2025, in Rimini, Italy.

The Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems Laboratory of the Technical University of Crete (ReSEL@TUC)—coordinator of the BLUE PORTS project—is honored to present this forward-thinking initiative that drives the green transition of European ports, empowering them to become cleaner, smarter, and more resilient hubs of the future.

During the event, ReSEL@TUC will showcase the BLUE PORTS Certification Scheme, which equips port staff with the key competencies needed to lead the ports’ green transition. The team will also engage in networking sessions with port authorities, city leaders, technology stakeholders, and investors from across Europe.

Join us at Rimini for the international benchmark for ecological transition and the circular economy, with over 100,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibitors.       

Let’s shape the future of sustainable ports together!

BLUE PORTS Slot:

Date: Friday 07/11/2025

Time: 9h00 until 13h00 & 13h30 until 18h30

Location: EC Stand, HALL SUD (Via Emilia, 155 | 47921 Rimini)

Learn more 👇 
https://lnkd.in/ehEMKx-x 

#ECOMONDO2025 #EU  #BLUEPORTS #Ecomondo2025 #EMFAF #Ecomondo #EUGreenDeal #GreenPorts #SmartPorts #BlueEconomy #BLUEPORTS #GreenSkills

CINEA – European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive AgencyCINEA – European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency

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The Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems Laboratory of the Technical University of Crete (ReSEL@TUC) will participate in the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025, taking place 4–6 November 2025 in Barcelona, at the European Commission’s exhibition area. As the coordinator of the BLUE PORTS project, ReSEL@TUC will present this innovative European initiative that supports the green transition of ports across Europe, by delivering a mutually acknowledged Certification Scheme for the port workforce.

Join us at Barcelona for the world’s largest event on urban innovation—featuring 1,000+ exhibitors, 25,000+ attendees, and 800+ cities from 135 countries.

#SCEWC25 #BluePorts #ReSEL #SmartCityExpo #EUInnovation #GreenTransition

Info: https://europa.eu/!tCcqYb

BLUE PORTS Slot: Tuesday 4 November 2025, 14:00 – 19:00 (CET)

Where: Fira Barcelona, Spain

Find us at: Hall 2, Stand D101 – “EU for resilient green cities”

For more: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/events/cinea-smart-city-expo-world-congress-2025-2025-11-04_en

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