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