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YES to Shipping Forum 2026

Agenda

Event Program & Structure

1. Forum Opening – Posidonia Conference Hall

10.00-12.00 Exhibition Tour
12.00-13.00hrs Registration
13.00-14.00hrs Opening Remarks (in Greek)
Danae Bezantakou, Concept – Founder – YES FORUM
Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy
Niki Kerameus, Minister of Labour and Social Security
Domna Michailidou, Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs
George Alexandratos, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping
Michalis Sfakianakis, Rector of the University of Piraeus
Giannis Moralis, Mayor of Piraeus

2. Part One – Youth & Maritime Community Dialogue (in Greek)

14.00-15.30hrs

The first thematic part of the Forum is dedicated to open dialogue between young people

and executives of the shipping community. As at the Yes to Shipping Forum 2024, young people will be on stage. They will address questions, concerns and issues that concern them to the executives present.

Speakers:

Captain Stylianos Dimouleas, CEO, ALMI TANKERS S.A.
Costis Frangoulis, Founder & CEO, Franman
Dorothea Ioannou, CEO – The American Club
Aris Koropoulis, Director, Astra Shipmanagement Inc.
Manthos Macheras, CIO – Metrostar
Christina Margelou, General Manager/Head of Shipping, EUROBANK
Natalia Margioli, Managing Director, Hellenic Management Centre ICS Greek Branch
Philip Uhrskov Nielsen, Co-Founder, ORIANI
Eirini Pitta, Management Consultant at Eurobulk LTD, Investor Relations Officer of EUROSEAS LTD and EURODRY LTD
Basil Sakellis, Managing Director – Alassia Newships Management
Korinna Tapaktsoglou, Chief Financial Officer, Pioneer Marine
George M. Teriakidis, Regional Manager, Southeast Europe Maritime, DNV Hellas
Theocharis Terzis, Director – Queensway Navigation Co. Ltd. Founder/CEO – Vsltec
George Tsavliris, Principal – TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE GROUP
John Tsogas, Global Head of Bunkering – SEKAVIN
Simos Varias, Managing Director – Crossworld Marine
Carola Yannouli, General Manager, OCEANKING

3. Part Two – International Session 15.30hrs-17.00hrs (in English)

A panel discussion will be held, with the participation of representatives of academic institutions, organizations and bodies of the maritime community from different countries.

The structure of the panel is designed around three main pillars: Presentation of the results of the joint research initiative, with an emphasis on the concerns, opinions and perspectives of young people in relation to shipping. Discussion of issues and concerns from the perspective of academic institutions, organizations and executives in the shipping industry. Exchange of best practices between participating countries and organizations.

Live translation will be provided throughout the international session, so that both the Greek and international audiences can watch.

Chrysostomos Efthymiou Marine Manager, Cyprus Shipping Chamber Cyprus
Frans Joubert, CEO – Youth Challenge Fund (YCF) Ethiopia
Rear Admiral Joel Whitehead, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret), Executive Vice President/COO, International Propeller Club.
Gersende Le Dimna, head of International Relations and Academic Partnerships Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Marine Marchande (ENSM) France
Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Founder , Maritime SheEO India
H.E. Juseong LIM, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea accredited to the Hellenic Republic Korea
Anne Marie Busuttil, International Safety Training College Malta
Harold G. Tarun, Maritime Education and Training Standards Supervisor,Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) – STCW Office Philippines
Dr. Melis Özdel, Specialism Convenor for Maritime Law Studies and founder of the UCL Autonomous Shipping Project at University College London (UCL) United Kingdom
Evina Fotiadou, Director for Shipping Policy and Communications, European Shipowners – ECSA
San Yi President & CEO, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)

4. Parallel Activity – Painting Exhibition

The event venue will host an art exhibition, featuring works by students from schools participating in the educational activities of the YES Tour to Schools.

The works are inspired by the Shipping presentation and the video of the Greek Shipowners’ Association entitled “What would happen if Shipping stopped”

Christos Stylianides Minister of Shipping and Island Policy

George Pateras, President HCS

Michael Sfakianakis, Rector University of Piraeus

Danae Bezantakou , Concept-Founder YES Forum & CEO Navigator Shipping Consultants

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YES Forum Volunteers

Melina Travlos, President UGS

George Youroukos, Founder & Managing Director Technomar Shipping In

Throughout the event, participants visited more than 30 exhibition booths, guided by 100 volunteers from the YES Forum, and engaged with over 40 industry professionals in discussion circles. This enabled them to learn about various companies, their operations, and submit their resumes directly to representatives, significantly increasing their chances of entering the maritime job market.

Danae Bezantakou, the Founder of YES Forum, presented the organization’s pillars and committed to continuing its initiatives while expanding them internationally:

YES TOUR TO SCHOOLS: With the official approval of the Institute of Educational Policy and the Ministry of Education, the forum has introduced over 100,000 students to maritime and sea tourism, aiming to inspire them to consider maritime careers or studies.
Mentoring Groups: Almost 70 mentor-mentee pairs of shipping professionals and young students or graduates have been formed, achieving remarkable results and enthusiasm from both sides.
Open Days: Visits to shipping company offices, with over 70 companies welcoming young people to learn about their operations.
YES to Shipping Forum: Organizing Youth Day as part of the Posidonia Exhibition since 2016.

The event concluded with Mr. Themis Vokos thanking Danae Bezantakou for revitalizing Posidonia Fridays through the YES Forum, and the next Youth Day was scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026.