The post BLUE PORTS Launches Training and Certification Programme for Port Sustainability Personnel appeared first on BLUE PORTS.

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

The post Developing qualified workforce for greener services in island ports: Prof. Th. Tsoutsos Presents BLUE PORTS Certification scheme at GreenMED Final Event appeared first on BLUE PORTS.

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.

The post BLUE PORTS featured as a Flagship European Initiative at Ecomondo 2025 appeared first on BLUE PORTS.

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.

The post BLUE PORTS Showcased at the European Commission Stand at Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 appeared first on BLUE PORTS.

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

The post BLUE PORTS at Ecomondo 2025! appeared first on BLUE PORTS.

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

The post 🚀 BLUE PORTS will be at the European Commission stand at Smart City Expo World Congress 2025! appeared first on BLUE PORTS.

On 16 October 2025, the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Lab (ReSEL@TUC) proudly represented, upon invitation, the BLUE PORTS project at the high-level workshop “Green and Smart Ports: Shaping the Future of Green Transition and Skills Development in the Adriatic-Ionian Region”, held in Trieste, Italy. The workshop was organised by the Central European Initiative (CEI), in partnership with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, under the coordination of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) Pillar II – Transport and Energy. High-level panellists included also representatives from the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), the Italian Ports Association (Assoporti), the Maritime Authority of Friuli Venezia Giulia, and other EUSAIR Pillars (Pillar I- Blue Growth, Pillar V – Improved Social Cohesion).

The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss the advancement of green and smart port transformation and the essential role of skills development in driving the maritime sector’s sustainability and digitalisation efforts. The discussions were incredibly fruitful, highlighting the urgent need for transnational cooperation to bridge the green skills gap in the Adriatic-Ionian maritime and port sector, and emphasizing the cooperative actions between ports and education/training institutions.

BLUE PORTS actively contributed to the dialogue by sharing its experience in upskilling and certifying port professionals to lead the green transition, and in following a bottom-up co-creation approach for the development of a European-wide acknowledged certification scheme under ISO 17024. Barriers and success factors identified through the project’s work were emphasized. Based on the successful collaboration with the port ecosystem value chain, BLUE PORTS offered additional input and suggestions to strengthen cooperation between the port sector, training providers, and regional initiatives.

The participation reinforced the project’s commitment to fostering synergies, capacity-building, and a skilled, certified workforce ready to shape the sustainable future of European ports.

The post BLUE PORTS joins the regional dialogue on green skills for port transformation: high-level CEI workshop, Trieste, 16 October 2025 appeared first on BLUE PORTS.

3^rd Consultation Meeting of the Greek National Technical Committee, 30 May 2025

On May 30^th, 2025, the Greek National Technical Committee convened its 3^rd consultation meeting in Piraeus, bringing together all its members to co-design the final aspects of the BLUE PORTS Certification Regulation, as well as to discuss the maintenance and transferability of the certification scheme, as the project prepares to enter the pilot phase.

The meeting was hosted by the project coordinator, the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Lab of the Technical University of Crete (ReSEL@TUC), in collaboration with TÜV HELLAS – TÜV NORD and the Heraklion Port Authority, with the support of the Hellenic Ports Association, and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping.

A key session reviewed the progress of the BLUE PORTS Scheme, incorporating insights from cross-country harmonisation of the consultation findings from the previous round of Technical Committee meetings. This was followed by an in-depth consultation session focused on finalizing the regulatory components of the certification framework, such as procedures for certification maintenance and periodic review and pathways for recertification. The event also previewed the next project phase—pilot testing of the certification scheme—and discussed the pathway toward mainstreaming, transferability and cross-country recognition of the BLUE PORTS Certification.

Participants, including representatives from the Hellenic Ports Association, the Federation of Port Workers of Greece, the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies, the Labour Institute of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, the Technical Chamber of Greece and the Hellenic Environmental Center, reaffirmed their willingness to support the pilot testing and provide their feedback to further reinforce the scheme’s relevance and alignment with actual workforce needs.

As the BLUE PORTS initiative advances to its pilot phase, the strong engagement of the Greek NTC reaffirms its vital role in designing an inclusive and future-ready training and certification system—one that enhances competitiveness and sustainability in the port sector, both nationally and across Europe.

BLUE PORTS is funded by the European Commission through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, and supported the Hellenic Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy.

The post Empowering the Ports human capital for a Sustainable Tomorrow – Validating the BLUE PORTS Certification Framework appeared first on BLUE PORTS.

On June 6, 2025, Fundación Valenciaport hosted the third Spanish National Technical Committee (NTC) meeting in Valencia as part of the BLUE PORTS project. The session gathered representatives from regional authorities, logistics associations, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders to discuss and finalise critical aspects of the BLUE PORTS Certification Scheme.

The meeting focused on three core topics: defining the certification’s validity period, establishing the frequency of scheme reviews, and setting criteria for renewal without examination. Following a collaborative and dynamic consultation process, participants recommended a three-year certificate validity, periodic reviews at each renewal cycle, and the possibility of renewal without exam under specific conditions tied to professional activity and scheme stability. These decisions ensure that the certification remains both rigorous and accessible to professionals working in rapidly evolving port environments.

The consultation also sparked strong interest in mainstreaming the certification across Spanish and European ports. Participants committed to promoting the scheme through professional networks, outreach campaigns, and collaboration with training and port authorities. The meeting concluded with a shared vision to build a community of certified professionals and position the certification as a reference point for port sustainability competencies across the region.

The post Strengthening Port Certification: Key Outcomes from Spain’s 3rd NTC Consultation Meeting appeared first on BLUE PORTS.