Speaking to Naftemporiki on the sidelines of the international maritime exhibition Posidonia 2026, Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenides, President of the Eugenides Foundation, highlighted the Foundation’s role in preparing the next generation of seafarers and technical professionals amid the rapid technological, digital and environmental transformation of the shipping industry.
As he noted, the mission of the Eugenides Foundation has remained unchanged for the past 70 years. “In cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, particularly maritime academies and the shipping industry, and through continuous monitoring of developments at both the European and global levels—primarily through the International Maritime Organization (IMO)—we strive to enhance knowledge, strengthen skills and improve the training of Greek shipping professionals,” he said.
The Need for a Highly Skilled Workforce
At a time when industry requirements are increasing due to climate change, the United Nations’ 2050 decarbonization objectives and broader global challenges, “there is a pressing need to develop highly qualified professionals who embrace a mindset of lifelong learning and continuous adaptation to evolving industry developments.”
He noted that the Foundation seeks to remain ahead of emerging trends, observing that institutional frameworks and systems often struggle to keep pace with the speed of technological change.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Asked how the maritime sector can transform today’s challenges—ranging from geopolitical uncertainty and decarbonization to technological transition—into future opportunities, Dimitriadis-Eugenides stressed that every possible effort is being made to achieve this objective.
He expressed confidence that, provided Greek shipping continues to operate with the qualities that have historically defined its success—foresight, hard work and innovation—it will remain at the forefront of industry developments.
He also underlined that Greek shipping maintains a technology-neutral approach and is not in a position to dictate which technologies will ultimately prevail in the decarbonization process.
Competitive Fuels as a Strategic Priority
According to Dimitriadis-Eugenides, a key priority is the identification and development of competitive fuels that are widely available across global markets and ultimately benefit consumers. He stressed that it is impossible at this stage to determine which technology or fuel pathway will emerge as the dominant solution.
The same principle, he noted, applies to geopolitical developments.
“Shipping has consistently demonstrated its ability to operate as a highly dynamic industry. Greek shipping, while maintaining a neutral stance toward these developments, possesses both the resilience and the adaptability required to respond effectively to changing competitive conditions,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Concluding his remarks, he observed that Greek shipping functions collectively as an ecosystem. While individual market participants may experience differing outcomes, the sector as a whole will continue to endure, evolve and create value.
“By remaining faithful to its fundamental principles while continuously focusing on the future, societal needs and technological progress, shipping can, through vision and effective leadership, help address a significant gap that is emerging internationally. In doing so, it will continue to serve as the vital link that ensures the efficient movement of goods, supporting economic cohesion and delivering benefits to both society and the planet.”
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