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Next generation maps best practices for conservation of the marine environment

Shipping 4.0 environmental implications, air pollution in ports, decarbonization of the shipping industry, sea water pollution, oil spills with emphasis on prevention and restoration as well as biodiversity and marine ecosystems conservation are among the key themes to be examined via a participatory model offering young scientists the unique opportunity to have a direct link with the shipping industry.

Students and professors together with shipowners and maritime executives, work closely to identify the current challenges, trends as well as best practices in the frames of the joint initiative “BiG Focus” (Blue is Green) launched today (2/3/22) by the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) in collaboration with The American College of Greece (ACG), bringing students at the forefront of global developments and in direct liaison with the maritime community, with the common goal to enhance marine environment protection through sustainable development.

The initiative is implemented by The American College of Greece through the Center of Excellence in Logistics, Shipping & Transportation (under the direction of Dr. George Kokosalakis), the Center of Excellence in Sustainability (under the direction of Dr. Stella Apostolaki) with the support of the Office of Public Affairs in collaboration with HELMEPA New Generation department.

HELMEPA Chairperson Ms Semiramis Paliou congratulated the students for their proactiveness and commitment to map best practices and share findings with the maritime community and assured them that “the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association stands by young scientists and being an open credible platform will continue to bridge academia with the shipping industry facilitating access to real time data and first hand know-how as well as fostering mentoring, study visits, job shadowing and internships”.

The American College of Greece systematically promotes sustainable development through the application of numerous best practices, both at the level of educational programs and at the operational level. We are the only academic institution in Greece that has been assessed and rated for these practices with the STARS Gold Rating, by an international system that evaluates more than 900 educational institutions around the world.  In this context, we are very pleased for our new partnership with HELMEPA, with the common goal of educating mainly the younger generation, so as to protect the marine environment from the effects of climate change, but also to promote sustainable practices in the Shipping sector”. Claudia Carydis, Vice President | Public Affairs

The BiG Focus initiative features among the key 40 activities that HELMEPA will showcase in 2022, a landmark year as the Association celebrates 40 years since its foundation (1982) when forward thinking shipowners together with seafarers voluntarily committed to “Save the Seas”.

Mapping results and best practices will be available end of May.