YES to SEApping Forum at Heraklion, Creta

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

Twenty young volunteers took the stage to pose questions to 30 industry professionals, exploring topics such as the skills required to enter the shipping industry, the sectors experiencing growth, the potential of shipbuilding zone revitalization, and the mutual search by companies and young professionals for employment opportunities.

A standout moment was when George Youroukos extended an invitation to two young female naval architects from the YES Forum to intern at his company, underscoring both the prospects of their field and the importance of women’s presence in the industry. Similarly, the UGS President offered the same opportunity to two female students from the National Technical University of Athens.

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.

Akis Konstantinidis

Akis Konstantinidis is the Human Resources Manager at Technomar Shipping Inc., leading HR strategy, talent development, and employer branding initiatives.

With a background spanning shipping, fintech, and banking, he has held key HR roles, supporting digital transformation and workforce development. His expertise includes organizational development, employee engagement, and shaping career frameworks that align with evolving industry needs.

Akis actively collaborates with universities and industry stakeholders, bridging the gap between education and the maritime workforce. He frequently represents Technomar Shipping Inc. at HR conferences and forums, sharing insights on leadership, talent management, and future workplace trends.

Captain George Koumpenas – Chief Operating Officer Celestyal Cruises

Captain George Koumpenas has been with Celestyal Cruises since the company’s inception in 2014. As Chief Operating Officer, Captain Koumpenas oversees the day-to-day operations of the company.

Since 2004, Captain Koumpenas was with Louis Cruise Lines, and he started his career in the cruise industry in 1987 working on several cruise vessels as deck officer and captain. In 2000, he stepped ashore as Director of fleet operations for Festival Cruises.

He has served as General Secretary of Hellenic Cruise Ship Owners and Associated Members’ Union (EEKFN) since its founding and has been President of the union since April 2021.

Minas Papadakis – CEO, Heraklion Port Authority SA

Minas Papadakis is a visionary leader at the helm of the Heraklion Port Authority, serving as CEO since January 2020. With a distinguished background in finance and strategic management, he has redefined the port’s trajectory, spearheading major infrastructure projects, boosting operational efficiency, and positioning Heraklion as a dynamic player in the global maritime landscape.

Before his tenure at the port, Minas built an impressive career in the financial sector, holding executive roles at EFG Eurobank Equities, where he led the Private Clients division. His expertise in high-level financial strategy and corporate governance also earned him board positions at Minoan Lines and A. Papadakis-Technometal.

Under his leadership, Heraklion Port has embraced cutting-edge digitalization, smart technologies, and sustainability initiatives, ensuring its competitive edge in an evolving industry. A strong advocate for green innovation, he has driven ambitious projects to reduce the port’s carbon footprint and enhance environmental stewardship. His ability to cultivate strategic partnerships with shipping companies, local enterprises, and governmental bodies has been instrumental in accelerating the port’s transformation.

Minas holds an MBA from the Management School of Imperial College, London University, and a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. A thought leader in his field, he has shared his expertise by teaching Project Management and Financial Management at the Technical Chamber of Greece, North College, and the Hellenic Management Association.

A firm believer in progress, innovation, and sustainability, Minas Papadakis continues to shape the future of Heraklion Port, driving it toward new heights of excellence and international prominence.

Gregory Spourdalakis - Managing Director of Columbia Shipmanagement Greece

Gregory Spourdalakis is the Managing Director of Columbia Shipmanagement Greece, a leading ship management company overseeing a diverse fleet of vessels. He has been in this role since December 2023, following his tenure as General Manager for more than three years. With over 20 years of experience in the maritime industry, he possesses a strong background in marine engineering, project management, and international shipping.

His expertise includes ship repairs, conversions, fleet upgrades, and implementing innovative solutions to optimize efficiency, safety, and sustainability. He is committed to delivering high-quality ship management services, ensuring compliance with international standards, and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Education background

MBA, Master of Business Administration – Southampton University (2001 – 2002)
MSc in Marine Technology – Newcastle University (2000 – 2001)
BEng in Mechanical Engineering – Brighton University (1998 – 2000)
Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Engineering – National Merchant Marine Academy (Aspropyrgos) (1994 – 1998)

Certifications & Licenses

Panama Flag Inspector (ASI) – Panama Maritime Authority (Issued Aug 2014)

Maria Deligianni - Regional Director, Eastern Mediterranean, CLIA

Maria Deligianni is the Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade association representing more than 90% of the cruise sector, headquartered in Washington DC. Maria joined CLIA in March 2018 and is based in Athens. In her role, she is responsible for handling government and public affairs issues in the Eastern Mediterranean region (Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Turkey, Israel).

Maria has been working in the shipping industry for 15 years. Prior to joining CLIA, she served as a Senior Advocacy and Policy Advisor at the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) in Brussels focusing on maritime safety, environmental and offshore shipping issues. She also worked at the European Commission, in the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) in Brussels. In addition, she worked for SQE Marine Group in Piraeus and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC Greece) in Athens.

She holds an executive Master’s degree in Maritime Science with distinction from the University of Ghent in Belgium. She also has a Master’s degree in International and European Studies from the University of Piraeus and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Athens.

Loukas Sigalas, CEO at MINOAN Lines

Capt. George Chronakis

Capt. George Chronakis is an experienced maritime professional with a strong background in seafaring and crew management. He graduated from the Maritime Academy in 2007 with a Master’s Rank and began his career as a Deck Cadet. Following his military service in the Greek Army (2007–2008), he spent 15 years at sea on various tanker ships, progressing from Master Class C’ (2008–2015) to Master Class B’ (2016–2019) and ultimately achieving Master Class A’ (2019–2023). Since 2023, he has been serving as Marine Personnel Manager at Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Ltd