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YES to Shipping Forum 2026

From First Grade to the First Job: 10 Years of Youth Day at Posidonia

With more than 1,000 participants, the 10th Youth Day at Posidonia took place on Friday, June 5, 2026, as part of the YES to Shipping Forum 2026. This landmark anniversary event brought together students, university undergraduates and graduates, young professionals, representatives of the maritime and academic communities, government officials, and local authorities, highlighting the importance of systematically investing in the human capital of Greek shipping.

Opening remarks were delivered by Melina Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners; 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; George Alexandratos, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping; Yiannis Moralis, Mayor of Piraeus; and Michalis Sfakianakis, Rector of the University of Piraeus.

The event featured 36 speakers representing the full spectrum of the maritime ecosystem. Among the distinguished guests were Theodore Veniamis, former President of the Union of Greek Shipowners and Chairman of Golden Union; John Lyras, former President of ECSA and Chairman of Paralos Maritime Corporation S.A.; and Evina Fotiadou, Director of Maritime Policy and Communications at ECSA.

International Dialogue and the YES Forum Survey

A highlight of the event was the first international youth discussion on shipping, bringing together representatives from 12 countries and marking a new chapter in the internationalization of the YES Forum and the global dialogue on the future of shipping. During the event, the first global YES Forum survey was also presented. The findings revealed that young people’s interest in shipping remains strong worldwide, while the primary challenge is not a lack of interest but rather access to information and opportunities.

The study found that:

In developed maritime nations, young people are primarily attracted to shipping because of their passion for the sea and ships.
In developing economies, financial incentives and career advancement opportunities are the main drivers.
Greece combines both factors, with young people recognizing both the sector’s professional opportunities (62%) and its connection to the country’s maritime heritage (60%).
Furthermore, countries that systematically integrate maritime education into their educational systems, such as the Philippines and Ethiopia, demonstrate higher levels of youth interest in the maritime sector, particularly in seafaring careers. This finding is especially significant for Greece, where the Maritime Studies course developed by the YES Forum has been taught in public and private schools since September 2025. Measurable results are expected to emerge in the near future.

At the same time, the YES Forum’s awareness, education, mentoring, and career networking initiatives engage students from the first grade of primary school through to university graduates. Through the book Towards the Sea, which serves as a key educational tool within the Maritime Studies curriculum, thousands of children across Greece have been introduced to the nation’s maritime heritage and the modern career opportunities offered by the shipping industry.

Key Findings for Greece

Despite the strong interest in the sector, 42% of young people perceive entering the industry as difficult or believe they lack the required skills.
At the same time, employers hold a different view. In fact, 63.8% of employers evaluate newcomers to the shipping industry positively, emphasizing that the most important qualities in candidates are communication skills, adaptability, and professional ethics.

The challenge, therefore, is not the quality of young talent, but ensuring timely and effective access to information and opportunities.

Greece’s success in connecting young people with the maritime sector is undeniable, and the YES Forum has played a significant role in this achievement through the initiatives it has implemented since 2014.

Specifically:

51% participation in Career Fairs (compared to 17% globally), with more than 1,500 interviews conducted annually, approximately 40 participating companies, and an average of 150 participants at each YES Forum Career Fair.
47% participation in Open Days (compared to 8% internationally), with the YES Forum having organized more than 130 Open Days to date.
31% participation in mentoring programmes (compared to 20% globally), resulting in the creation of 175 mentoring pairs through the YES Forum.

These figures confirm that sustained engagement between young people and the shipping industry delivers tangible results.

Statement by Danae Bezantakou

Danae Bezantakou, Founder of the YES Forum and CEO of Navigator Shipping Consultants, stated:

“The most significant achievement of the YES Forum has been the creation of a consistent and meaningful dialogue between the business and academic communities, institutional stakeholders, and the younger generation, initially at a national level and now increasingly at an international one. Through this dialogue, shipping becomes more accessible, more understandable, and more open to young people, while also highlighting the importance of international cooperation in shaping discussions about the next generation and the future of our industry.”

Young members visits to exhibition booths

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.