Next-gen seafarers and maritime education in focus at Posidonia 2026

June 8 ------ Education and upskilling of the next generation of seafarers took center stage at the Eugenides Foundation event during Posidonia 2026. The Eugenides Foundation, alongside leading representatives of international maritime education and industry, addressed the pressing challenge of training and upskilling the next generation of seafarers during a high-level event held within the framework of the Posidonia 2026 international maritime exhibition.

During the event “Skilling and Upskilling the NextGen Seafarers: Eugenides Foundation Advances into the International Education Ecosystem,” representatives from the Eugenides Foundation Management Team, the Greek and international academic and shipping community, and the Greek state highlighted the critical importance of upskilling young seafarers in an environment of continuous technological, environmental, and regulatory changes.

The discussion focused on:

• The integration of the modern needs of the shipping industry into educational curricula

• The digital transformation of maritime education with interactive tools and simulation technologies

• Strengthening the connection between education and real-world operational conditions in the maritime sector

• The development of new international partnerships that expand the maritime education ecosystem

Shipping’s transformation and human capital

In his opening remarks, the President of the Eugenides Foundation, Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenides, stressed that “shipping is facing a period of profound transformation, as the green transition, digitalization, artificial intelligence and new safety requirements are radically reshaping the sector”. As he pointed out, “the future of shipping will depend primarily on its people and their ability to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the times.”

Referring to the strategy of the Eugenides Foundation, he underlined the continuous strengthening of its international presence through partnerships with leading organizations and institutions, such as the World Maritime University, the Waterborne Technology Platform, the British Council and RINA. As he said, “only through close cooperation among the shipping industry, the academic community, international organizations and the state maritime education remain up to date and responsive to the needs created by technological, environmental and geopolitical developments”.

He made special reference to the Maritime English program of the Eugenides Foundation, which provides modern digital education, assessment and certification of language skills in accordance with the standards of the IMO and the STCW Convention, in collaboration with the British Council and RINA. Furthermore, Dimitriadis-Eugenides underlined that investing in the new generation of seafarers is an investment in the sustainability, safety and competitiveness of global shipping, as, despite rapid technological progress, shipping will remain a people-driven industry over time.

Maritime education into the digital and AI era

With Artificial Intelligence, automation and the green transition redefining the sector, the need for continuous training and adaptation of seafarers’ skills is crucial for the sustainability and competitiveness of global shipping.

Responding to this need, the Eugenides Foundation launched a learning and evaluation system for Maritime English. In the context of the decision to transition from printed books to digital educational resources, the Foundation started the effort with Maritime English series. This choice was mainly driven by the critical role of Maritime English in ensuring safe operations and successful careers at sea.

Prof. Ioannis Golias, Governor of the Eugenides Foundation, said: "This collaboration represents a significant step forward in maritime education and professional development. By combining educational expertise and strong writing skills, English language international assessment standards, and maritime industry know-how, the partnership is working towards creating a credible and globally recognized learning, assessment, and certification framework for Maritime English," Prof. Golias further highlighted that this integrated ecosystem will improve employability and promote international mobility of seafarers within the maritime sector, while setting a new benchmark for digital maritime education worldwide.

Eugenides Foundation and WMU formalize cooperation on maritime education and training

The Eugenides Foundation also presented a new partnership with the World Maritime University of the IMO. The MoU establishes a comprehensive framework for academic and educational cooperation in the field of maritime studies, with a five-year horizon and the possibility of further development.

The central axis of the agreement is the joint design and delivery of specialized Train-the-Trainers programs for maritime professionals. This issue is attracting increasing interest in view of the IMO developments indicating a partial shift from ship-based experience to the use of simulators for training.

An equally important aspect of the collaboration is the provision of a scholarship by the Eugenides Foundation, which, starting from autumn 2026 and for five years, fully covers the tuition and living expenses of a candidate from Greece for the WMU’s Maritime Affairs postgraduate program in Malmö, Sweden. WMU is committed to accepting one fully funded student each year, subject to meeting the academic admission criteria.

At the same time, cooperation between the libraries of the two institutions is foreseen with the aim of exchanging knowledge, enhancing digital access and developing hybrid and interactive educational tools.

According to Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenides, the agreement confirms the shared commitment of the two organizations to promote maritime education, research, training and the development of skills required to address the major challenges of shipping and the oceans. "Through this cooperation, Greece’s connection with the international academic and maritime community is strengthened, contributing to the formation of a new generation of executives who will combine scientific knowledge, technological proficiency and commitment to the principles of sustainability and international cooperation," Dimitriadis-Eugenides said.

Furthermore, Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., President of WMU, noted: “Tomorrow’s seafarers will need more than technical expertise alone. They will need digital literacy, cyber awareness, systems thinking, accountability, adaptability and a commitment to life-long learning. Preparing such professionals requires a collective effort. The Eugenides Foundation brings a distinguished legacy of educational excellence, technological innovation and service to the maritime community.” "The WMU, established by the IMO, contributes a global network of maritime professionals, researchers, educators and policymakers, aiming for safer, more secure, efficient and sustainable shipping. I am confident that WMU’s partnership with Eugenides Foundation will generate meaningful benefits for the maritime community we both serve," said Maximo Q. Mejia Jr.

“At the Eugenides Foundation, we see our role not simply as a supporter of maritime education, but as an active bridge between tradition and transformation—between the accumulated wisdom of Greek shipping and the demands of a rapidly evolving global industry. But no institution can do this alone”, pointed Dr. Golias.

"The scale and speed of change in our sector demand deeper collaboration than ever before: between academia and industry, between public and private stakeholders, between those who design training and those who live the reality of sea service every day. If we succeed in closing these gaps, we will not only address the skills challenge, but we will also strengthen the very foundations of maritime safety, resilience, and excellence," Dr. Golias concluded.

Source: safety4sea.com