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Leading European Figures to Convene in Athens for High-Level Meeting on the EU Industrial Maritime & Ports Strategy

Athens to Host High-Level Meeting on E.U.’s Industrial Maritime and Port Strategies at 30 April 2026 Eugenides Foundation

The Waterborne Technology Platform, in cooperation with the Eugenides Foundation and under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, is organizing a high-level meeting on Thursday, 30 April 2026, focusing on the implementation of the European strategy for maritime transport and ports.
The event will take place at the Eugenides Foundation and will bring together leading representatives from European and Greek political leadership, the maritime industry, and the technology sector. The meeting will be moderated by journalist Ms. Margarita Pournara of Kathimerini.

High-level participation

Keynote speeches will be delivered by:
- The European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas
- The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias

In addition, a keynote intervention will be delivered online by Member of the European Parliament Eliza Vozemberg, Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism.

Key themes and strategic dialogue

The meeting will focus on key pillars of the European maritime and port strategy, including:
- The implementation of the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and the EU Ports Strategy
- Short sea shipping, ferries, and insularity
- Strengthening Europe’s shipbuilding and technological leadership
- The role of the maritime technology sector
- Port ecosystems and sustainability
- Skills, training, and quality job creation

Programme

Opening and welcome
10:15 – 10:30
- Mr. Leonidas Dimitriades-Eugenides, President, Eugenides Foundation
- Mr. Jaap Gebraad, Secretary General, Waterborne Technology Platform

Keynote speeches
10:30 – 11:00
- Minister Vassilis Kikilias, Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy
- Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism

Presentation of EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and EU Ports Strategy
11:00 – 11:20
- Mr. Dario Bazargan, Policy Officer, DG GROW, European Commission
- Ms. Joke Bamps, Seconded national expert, DG MOVE, European Commission

Short Sea shipping, ferries and insularity
11:20 – 12:05
- Mr. Manolis Koutoulakis, Secretary General of the Aegean and Island Policy, Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy
- Mr. George Alexandratos, President, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping
- Mr. Dionysis Theodoratos, President, Greek Shipowners Association For Passenger Ships (SEEN)
- Mr. Charalampos Simantonis, President, Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association
moderator: Mr. Jaap Gebraad

Break
12:05 – 12:30

Reinforcing Europe’s maritime manufacturing capabilities and technological leadership: The role of Greece
12:30 – 12:45
- Mr. Panos Xenokostas, Chair, Hellenic Shipyards Association in conversation with Mr Michalis Psilos, Director of Naftemporiki.gr

Maritime Technology Sector
12:45 – 13:30
- Mr. Vassilis Korkidis, President, Piraeus Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Dr. Eleni Polychronopoulou, President, Hemexpo
- Dr. Maja Novakovic, Chair, Waterborne Technology Platform
- moderator: Mr. Pieter Huyskens

Lunch break
13:30 – 14:15

Keynote intervention
14:15 – 14:30
- Ms. Eliza Vozemberg, Member of European Parliament, Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism

Port ecosystems
14:30 – 15:15
- Ms. Helena Athoussaki, Chief Sustainability Officer, Motor Oil
- Dr. Nikos Mertzanidis, Executive Director, CLIA Europe
- Mr. Apostolos G. Papapostolou, President, Regulatory authority for Ports
- Mr. Minas Papadakis, CEO, Heraklion Port Authority S.A.
- moderator Dr. Sotirios Theofanis

Skills, Training and Quality Jobs
15:15 – 16:00

- Dr. Ioannis Golias, Governor, Eugenides Foundation
- Captain HCG Konstantinos Saviolidis, Director Maritime Training, Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy
- Ms. Elpi Petraki, President, Wista International
- Dr. Ioannis Tsaras, President, EXANTAS Ports Training Institute
- moderator Dr. Maria Boile