2022 is a milestone year for marine environmental protection with HELMEPA celebrating its 40th anniversary since the Association’s founding. It was in 1982 that Greek shipowners and seafarers joined forces in an unprecedented move, as the environmental challenges were not as imperative as they are today, in a collective desire and voluntary commitment to pass on to future generations a clean and healthy marine environment.
Celebrating 40 years of voluntary action in the field with a positive impact throughout Greece, HELMEPA presented during a Press Conference on Thursday, March 17th, the Association’s anniversary activities scheduled during 2022, the vision and strategy for the coming years, as well as the tools and methodology to be used.
Some of these activities indicatively include: mapping best practices, promoting the exchange of knowledge and know-how on the green and digital transition of shipping, implementing awareness raising campaigns on the marine environmental protection, climate change and maritime safety, strengthening the interconnection between the academic community and the shipping industry, advancing the employment prospects in the blue economy for youth through the Blue Generation initiative, focusing maritime training for the development/strengthening of professional skills, projecting through international collaborations and fora the commitment of the Greek shipping and society for the health of our oceans.
Wishing to further contribute to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and constituting a bridge of knowledge, cooperation and joint action, the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) focuses on the better understanding of the concepts and challenges so that no one is left behind.
The Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis, greeted the event with a recorded message, while keynote speakers included HELMEPA Chairperson Mrs. Semiramis Paliou, Vice Chairman Mr. Ioannis Xylas and General Secretary Ms. Irene Daifas. The discussion was moderated by Director General, Mrs. Olga Stavropoulou.
Statement by Chairperson Mrs Paliou: “HELMEPA proves to be resilient and adaptable, with fast reflexes to meet the challenges and needs of our time. Our strongest points are the pioneering DNA and of course the people who have shaped us. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers, youth and adults, from Greece and abroad, the shipping community and beyond, the media that help us spread our message, we all share the same mission and belief that we can save the seas”.
Statement by Vice Chairman Mr. Xylas: “One of the central activities for the 40th anniversary is mapping the current challenges, trends and best practices on issues such as the environmental impact of Shipping 4.0, air pollution in ports, decarbonization in shipping, marine pollution, oil spills with an emphasis on their prevention and remediation, as well as biodiversity and the conservation of marine ecosystems. Issues that we examine through a participatory model, in direct contact with the University community (the American College of Greece) and which offers young scientists the opportunity to have direct contact with the maritime community.”
Statement by the General Secretary Mrs Daifa: “The anniversary logo of HELMEPA’s 40th anniversary comes from the painting of the talented Greek artist, Mrs Maria Filopoulou, who is inspired by the greatness of the sea and offers her artwork for this ‘noble cause’, as the late George P. Livanos, founder of the Association once said, to help us highlight and provide inspiration for our message, ‘Sea is Life”.
Regarding this synergy, Ms. Filopoulou stated: “It is important to attract allies to a noble cause. […] From my part, that of art, I feel very happy and honored that HELMEPA has chosen my work as a symbol for a cause it has been pursuing for 40 years. Clean seas are beautiful. Let us all help HELMEPA to maintain them beautiful”.
The event took place at Piraeus Marine Club, with the presence of Members of the Board of Directors, entities and representatives of the press.
