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.
