The BLUE PORTS Baseline Report manages to shed light on both completed and on-going relevant training and certification initiatives, identify potential training providers for the BLUE PORTS scheme, and also pinpointing their potential involvement and expertise to drive the BLUE PORTS certified training forward. The report involves initiatives across all BLUE PORTS countries, i.e., Georgia, Greece, Italy, Spain, and also addressed broader EU/MED-level efforts as well, setting the stage for BLUE PORTS’ standardized certification scheme, which will fill a significant gap in professional green port training aligned with ISO 17024 standards.
Key findings reveal limited relevant Blue Economy training for ports, yet significant expertise exists in related environmental fields, providing exploitable resources. Additionally, pioneering green training programs in Northern Europe offer promising models to enhance the region’s Blue Economy workforce. A critical gap detected is in the professional certification aligned with ISO 17024 for sustainable port management, a gap that BLUE PORTS intends to address.
Collaboration is central to the report’s strategy, suggesting joint events, social media efforts, and resource sharing with other EU projects to expand the BLUE PORTS initiative’s reach. The baseline insights will help to shape BLUE PORTS’ future work, from training methodologies and materials to a certification scheme that advances sustainability across the port sector.