PPA president Han Chao visits the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

The School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) hosted a delegation from Piraeus Port Authority (PPA), led by Chairman Han Chao and accompanied by Chief Executive Officer Su Xudong, Deputy CEOs Angelos Karakostas and Panagiotis Tsonis, and Xu Taoran, Manager of the Board Secretariat, Public Relations and Investor Relations Department, as part of the strategic cooperation being developed between NTUA and the port operator.

The delegation visited the towing tank of the Laboratory for Maritime and Marine Hydrodynamics, where resistance testing demonstrations were presented, as well as the Marine Engineering Laboratory, where researchers showcased work on marine engines and ship propulsion systems aimed at improving engine efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and lowering emissions.

Han Chao noted that the technology developed by NTUA’s School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in areas such as the optimisation of new vessel designs, retrofitting of existing ships and, in particular, advancements in marine engine technology, has created internationally recognised expertise that is a decade ahead of some of the most transformative developments in the shipping industry, especially in energy efficiency and the green transition.

The visit was followed by a working session at the Department of Ship Design and Maritime Transport, during which the parties discussed areas of cooperation to be included in a new strategic partnership memorandum between NTUA and PPA. Key areas include joint scientific and applied research related to sustainable development, transport safety, energy efficiency, digitalisation, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence applications.

The two sides also agreed to expand joint educational and training initiatives, strengthen internship opportunities and develop lifelong learning and professional development programmes.