Pre-Conference Event of the 19th Annual Conference on Marine Technology 2025 “European Shipbuilding and the Defense Sector” – A Strategic Dialogue on the European Shipbuilding Industry and Defense
As part of the 19th Annual Conference on Marine Technology 2025, organized by the Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology (H.I.M.T.), a pre-conference event entitled “European Shipbuilding and the Defense Sector” was held on Monday, 8 December 2025, at the Piraeus Marine Club. The event brought together representatives of the European Commission and leading figures of the European shipbuilding industry, highlighting the increasingly decisive role of European shipyards in European Security and Defense within a geopolitical environment of heightened volatility.
The event focused on development-oriented perspectives and was dedicated to strengthening resilience and technological superiority of European shipbuilding as a critical role for Europe’s strategic autonomy.
The Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology, committed to act as a catalyst for collaboration and a bridge between academic and the maritime industry, hosted three distinguished speakers, representing key institutional and industrial pillars of the European ecosystem. More Specifically, were:
• Mr. Michalis Ketselidis, Member of the General Secretariat of the European Commission, presented aspects of the Commission’s strategic planning regarding industrial readiness and priorities related to defense and critical capabilities.
• Mr. Davide Cucino, Representative of the European Shipyards Association, Director of Defense and Security at Fincantieri S.p.A. and Senior Vice President for European and NATO Affairs, who elaborated on the approach of European shipyards to emerging requirements, emphasizing investments, skills, and technologies.
• Mr. Fernando Miguelez Garcia, Official Representative of Navantia (Spain) to the European Union and NATO, who outlined the sector’s strategic response to future challenges and the prerequisites for implementing critical investments and synergies.
The presentations were followed by a discussion with Mr. Markos Vasilikos, Executive Advisor of the Hellenic Defense Technology Center. Key issues highlighted during the event, included:
• The need for coordinated European industrial policy for defense and security.
• The importance of investment in infrastructure, digitalization, and human capital.
•Strengthening supply chains and compatibility.
• Linking innovation with operational readiness through industry–institution–research synergies.
The event was attended by prominent representatives of shipping and marine technology industries, from both public and private sectors, as well as executives from major organizations and companies, underscoring the significance of this pre-conference meeting as a forum for preparation and exchange of views, enhancing scientific and professional dialogue ahead of the Conference.
Among the attendees were Mr. Apostolos Kamarinakis, President of Association of Greek Ports (E.LIM.E.), Mr. George Koubertsos, President of the Elefsis Port Authority, and Mr. Anastasios Rozolis, President of the Hellenic Manufacturers of Defense Materiel Association (SEKPY). Τhe Hellenic Navy and the Vice Admiral Dimitrios Eleftheriou Kataras, was represented by Captain Fragkiskos Martinos and Captain Spyridon Dessalermos- representative of the Directorate of Defense Investments and Technological Research.
Other key representatives of the sector were, Mr. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis,CEO of Skaramangas Shipyards; Mr. Anastasios Kyprianis, COO of Skaramangas Shipyards; and Mr. Georgios Koros, CEO of Salamis Shipyards. Also, Mr. Konstantinos Oikonomou, Head of Shipping Finance at Credia Bank; Mr. Dimitrios Nodaros, Director EU EDF Projects, New Technologies Domain at AKMON S.A.; and Ms. Danai Bezantakou, CEO of Navigator Shipping Consultants, honored us with their presence.
Additionally, representatives of academic institutions, sponsors of the 19th Conference, and other distinguished professionals from the sector attended.
The Institute warmly thanks the speakers and all participants for their contribution to a high-level dialogue, reaffirming the Institute’s role as a platform that brings stakeholders together and transforms the discussion on the future of shipping into concrete direction and action.
