The Strategic Alliance of European Cruise Ports Associations reaffirmed its strong collaboration during Seatrade Cruise Europe 2025 in Hamburg, underscoring the importance of sustainable growth, innovation, and resilience across the cruise industry.

The associations came together for the panel session “European Port & Destination Associations: Community Engagement in Port Cities”, moderated by Figen Ayan, Founder of Ayan Consulting and European Commission Expert, where they presented the main findings of their joint survey on the Impact of Cruise Tourism on Destinations.

The panel featured Theodora Riga, President of MedCruise; Simone Maraschi, Chair of Cruise Europe; Kay

Greenway, Director of Cruise Britain; Klaus Bondam, Director of Cruise Baltic; and Monica Berstad, Managing Director of Cruise Norway.

Launched collectively earlier this year, the survey sought to better understand the challenges posed by increasing tourism pressures on infrastructure, the environment, and local communities across Europe. The objective was to gather insights from member ports and destinations, identify best practices, and

advocate for policies that support both the tourism sector and community well-being.

The results provide valuable insights into current trends and priorities:

• • Management and restrictions – Most ports currently have no significant restrictions on cruise arrivals.
• • Sustainability and environmental measures – Destinations are investing in infrastructure, tourist dispersal, and green initiatives such as shore power and environmental fees, though the pace of implementation varies.
• • Collaborative sustainability efforts – Many ports are working closely with cruise lines and local stakeholders to develop sustainable shore excursions and diversify attractions beyond city centres.
• • Investment in greener solutions – Ports are increasingly implementing green measures, reinforcing their commitment to long-term environmental performance.
• • Strong economic contribution – Cruise tourism continues to generate significant revenue for local businesses and create employment in the tourism sector.
• • Cruise tourism, in terms of volume, accounts for only a very small share of the overall tourism handled by most of our members.

In addition to the panel, the Associations held a dedicated meeting during Seatrade Cruise Europe to review their joint initiatives and discuss next steps.

Looking forward, they confirmed their determination to continue working together on key areas such as environmental performance, data sharing, and community engagement — ensuring that Europe’s cruise destinations remain competitive, attractive, and sustainable.

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The value placed on seafarers and their contribution to the global economy was brought into focus at one of the opening seminars at London International Shipping Week.

Titled Maritime Charity Partners Supporting Shipping, Capt Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General at InterManager, who was keynote speaker for the session organised by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, posed the question: “Why can’t we look after ourselves? We need shipowners to recognise what we are trying to do – we need to be listening to seafarers and asking them direct: what is it you need?

What can we be doing for you?”

He added: “We need from a very early stage to love our seafarers and treat them like heroes. That’s the only way we will attract more young talent to our industry.”

The session gave a spotlight to the four chosen charities for London International Shipping Week 2025; the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), International Maritime Rescue Foundation, Sir Thomas Lipton Foundation and Project Connect.

Stuart Rivers, CEO of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, said: “Today’s event – and this week - is ensuring we put talk into action and we see changes for the future that better the lives of seafarers.”

He added: “As unsung heroes, seafarers have a voice and we need to ensure they are listened to.”

Audience member Irene Notias, Founder and Director of Project Connect, which provides maritime culture awareness through the Adopt-A-Ship Programme directly to schools, said: “We facilitate the stage for presenting heroes at sea.

“We want shipowners to join us by enrolling their vessels in our programme to secure the sustai

nability of seafaring; children are inspired to become seafarers because of the direct contact with the captain – who is their new hero all school year round.”

The seminar was hosted by maritime legend Capt Sir Ian McNaught, Master Mariner and captain of ships for Cunard and Seabourn including the last Captain of the QE2.

Guests for the packed session also had the chance to engage in a panel discussion on seafarer welfare with representatives from the four supported charities. Lola Fadina, Director of Maritime for the Department for Transport, also attended the seminar and delivered a guest speech.

“PROJECT CONNECT was privileged to be attending all the events, as one of the four selected official charities of LISW25 and be among the distinguished speakers of the panels: 'Maritime Charity Partners Supporting Shipping' hosted at Norton Rose Fulbright overlooking the Thames.  The discussion brought together four LISW25 charity partners: International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), Merchant Navy Welfare Board, Adopt a Ship by PROJECT CONNECT and the Sir Thomas Lipton Foundation to highlight their essential role in supporting seafarers and the wider maritime community. Nikos Marmatsouris spoke on behalf of our NPO at the charities event while Irene Notias spoke at "The impact of geopolitics on sustainable maritime transport".  Many Greek shipping people were present including our Founder Members, Ariston Navigation & Chair of INTERCARGO, John Xylas, Marine Tours' Konstantinos Oikonomou, and IBIA Chairman Konstantinos Capetanakis.  

You can still send a donation for the four charities here.”

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Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice of the global cruise industry, moves into the next chapter of its “All Aboard Greece” campaign, bringing forward the stories of local communities and the industry’s progress on sustainability, while inviting the public to experience cruising in a new way through The Voyage exhibition, which will be hosted at the Eugenides Foundation in Athens from October through early January.

Following the July launch and the successful release of the first two campaign videos, CLIA now presents two new videos:

• Local Voices – featuring cruise destination officials and local leaders, including mayors and port authority representatives, who share their perspectives on how cruise tourism supports local economies, creates opportunities for small businesses, and connects visitors with Greece’s cultural identity.
• Sustainable Cruising – outlining the industry’s actions to advance sustainability, including investments in cleaner energy, environmental partnerships, and innovations, as well as sustainable tourism management practices at destinations.

Maria Deligianni, Regional Director, Eastern Mediterranean, CLIA, said: “Through this second phase of our campaign, we listen to the story of cruise tourism through the voices of the people who play instrumental roles in ports and local communities, as well as in the industry’s commitment to sustainable cruising. By striving to reduce the environmental footprint at sea and in ports, while also cultivating sustainable tourism development practices ashore, the cruise industry strengthens its long-term future in Greece, built on meaningful partnerships which safeguard the country’s unique cultural and geographical heritage.”

In addition to the new videos, CLIA is proud to announce that its exhibition, The Voyage, will open at the Eugenides Foundation in Athens from October 9 to January 9. The exhibition will take visitors on an immersive journey through the world of cruising, with interactive features and a spotlight on sustainability. Visitors will have access to valuable information on cruise innovation and environmental progress.

Maria Deligianni, Regional Director, Eastern Mediterranean, CLIA, said: “We are pleased to join forces with Eugenides Foundation, to showcase the success story of cruising in Greece.”

Ioannis Golias, Governor, Eugenides Foundation, said: “With great pleasure, we are hosting the exhibition The Voyage at the Eugenides Foundation. Through its interactive approach, the exhibition highlights the role of the cruise sector as a driver of innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in Europe. The Eugenides Foundation has consistently served as a bridge between the public and key issues related to sustainable development, skills enhancement, and understanding the challenges of the modern world. The arrival of this exhibition in Greece for the first time represents yet another valuable opportunity for dialogue and awareness on the future of maritime transport and the cruise industry.”

As part of the All Aboard Greece campaign, CLIA is also launching a Cruise Info Hub for Greece. The info hub will be available through the exhibition and online, providing accessible information on cruise innovation, environmental progress, and destination partnerships.

Learn more and watch the videos at:

• Local Voices: https://youtu.be/ly4J4lj1Zz0
• Sustainable Cruising: https://youtu.be/cf_Sak2iYls

About the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the preeminent cruise trade association, providing a unified voice for the industry and its members as the leading authority of the global cruise community. CLIA represents oceangoing member lines which comprise more than 90% of global cruise passenger capacity, including the world’s most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines, as well as a business community of leading ports, destinations, shipyards and maritime product and service providers, and the largest network of travel professionals who specialise in cruise travel. Together with its members and partners, CLIA supports policies and practices that foster safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise operations; tourism strategies that maximise the socioeconomic benefits of cruise travel; and technologies and innovations designed to support the industry’s pursuit of net zero emissions by 2050. The organization's global headquarters are in Washington, DC, with regional offices located in North and South America, Europe, and Australasia. 

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 Capital Link is hosting the “15th Annual Capital Link Operational Excellence in Shipping Forum - Best Industry Practices - Building Long Term Value Through Sustainability”, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at the Divani Caravel Hotel, in Athens, Greece.

The Forum is organized in partnership with ABS & in cooperation with HELMEPA. With a 15-year track record, this Forum stands as the premier event dedicated to showcasing operational excellence in the maritime industry. It explores best practices across all critical areas, including fleet management, technological innovation, crewing, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, as well as safety and security. The Forum brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders—from shipping companies, charterers, and ship managers to classification societies, flag registries, P&I Clubs, government and non-government bodies, technology and service providers, and the financial & investment community. It serves as a vital platform for fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and sustainable development in the maritime sector. This year's forum will once more feature industry leaders addressing a global audience.

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Direct Travel, Inc., a leader in corporate travel management acquired its long-time strategic partner, ATPI, creating one of the world’s largest travel management companies. Together, the two companies will drive over $6 billion in annual total travel volume and offer leading technologies and unparalleled service across global corporate, leisure, events, and specialized travel sectors.

The acquisition of ATPI, one of the most experienced and long-established international travel and event management companies, serves as a natural progression of the companies’ multi-year collaboration to serve the business travel needs of global corporate clients. The union will also help accelerate the international rollout of Avenir Travel Edition, Direct Travel’s next-generation platform designed to delight business travelers, empower travel managers with real-time intelligence and create new value for travel suppliers.

“ATPI has a commanding presence in the international travel management space and a strong history of collaboration with Direct Travel, making them a perfect fit to strengthen our efforts in delivering exceptional service at scale,” said Christal Bemont, CEO, Direct Travel. “This partnership represents a pivotal moment in reshaping managed travel, allowing us to deliver tailored solutions and a seamless experience for clients across a range of sectors and of all sizes and locations. Together, we will redefine what it means to offer The Perfect Trip on a global scale.”

“ATPI and Direct Travel have long held a shared vision for reimagining how the world connects, underpinning a successful commercial partnership. Bringing our two organizations together will enable us to better serve clients collectively, through the combination of our specialized services, innovative technologies, and highly skilled customer teams,” said Ian Sinderson, CEO, ATPI. “By bolstering our already strong position in travel technology and highly specialized travel support, we will combine to provide a compelling alternative to mega-agencies for global travel throughout our range of extensive geographic markets and business lines.”

Direct Travel values ATPI’s strong fundamentals, proven strengths in corporate travel and its deep expertise across specialty markets such as energy, marine, sports, and mining. Specialized industries bring distinct needs and complex challenges. ATPI has proven its ability to solve them through relentless innovation and the development of proprietary technologies and services that deliver measurable results. As part of this acquisition, Direct Travel intends to build on ATPI’s successful history and further invest in expanding its market reach and impact in these specialized segments.

Jefferies LLC served as exclusive financial advisor and Perkins Coie LLP served as legal counsel to Direct Travel. Baird served as exclusive financial advisor to ATPI.

About ATPI

ATPI is a global leader in travel and event management, renowned for delivering innovative and highly tailored solutions across various industries, including corporate, marine, energy, sports, and group travel as well as event management services. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Manchester, UK, ATPI employs approximately 2,500 people and has an operations network that spans across 100+ locations on six continents. Their robust global footprint, combined with deep local expertise, allows them to meet the unique and complex needs of a diverse clientele.

About Direct Travel, Inc.

Direct Travel is one of the world’s largest travel management companies, focused on delivering exceptional, groundbreaking solutions to every client and traveler. With a long history of proven market expertise, we blend advanced technology, superior service, and expert insights to drive tangible value and meaningful savings—offering solutions across Corporate Travel, Leisure Travel, and Meetings & Events.

Through Avenir, our next-generation platform developed with leading technology partners, we provide the industry’s broadest inventory and a modern, real-time shopping experience that empowers travelers and simplifies program management. What truly sets us apart is the human care behind the technology: an experienced, passionate team dedicated to anticipating needs and delivering exceptional service at every step.

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The visit of the Secretary of the Interior of the United States, Doug Burgum, to the ONEX Shipyards & Technologies in Elefsina, marks the first presence of a minister of the new Trump administration in our country.
This fact highlights the strategic importance of the ONEX Group for the rebirth of the Greek shipbuilding industry and underlines the close cooperation between Greece and the USA in the field of shipyards. The visit confirms that the Group enjoys the trust and support of both governments, which recognize its vision and dynamics.
The President and CEO of ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Group and President of the Hellenic Shipyards Association, Mr. Panos Xenokostas, welcomed the American Minister, who was accompanied by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Stavros Papastavrou. Elefsis Shipyards also hosted bilateral meetings of Mr. Burgum with the Minister of Development, Mr. Takis Theodorikakos, and the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Vassilis Kikilias.

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DryLog supports the Singapore Maritime Foundation in its efforts to nurture local marine talent. As part of this commitment, the company will be sponsoring a final-year student at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), who will be awarded a BEng (Hons) in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering in May 2026. Upon his graduation, the sponsored will join the company’s Technical Department in Singapore, where he will contribute his skills and knowledge to our growing team.

On Friday, 12th September, Mr. Dimitris Seretis, Managing Director of DryLog Services Singapore, had the honor of attending the MaritimeONE Scholarship Ceremony 2025, where he officially presented the selected awardee with his sponsorship.

The company thanked Singapore Maritime Foundation for their tireless efforts in fostering the next generation of maritime professionals.

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EuroDry Ltd. has signed an agreement to sell M/V Eirini P., a 76,466 dwt drybulk vessel, built in 2004, to an unaffiliated third party, for approximately $8.5 million. The vessel is expected to be delivered to its buyers in October 2025.

Aristides Pittas, Chairman and CEO of EuroDry, commented: “We are pleased to announce the agreement to sell M/V Eirini P., one of the three older vessels and the longest-held in our current fleet, for $8.5 million as part of our fleet renewal program. As a result of this sale, we expect to generate a gain of approximately $0.6 million, or about $0.21 per share. The net proceeds will strengthen our balance sheet position and increase our near-term liquidity, providing us with more flexibility to pursue the renewal of our fleet with more modern, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vessels.”

EuroDry Ltd. was formed on January 8, 2018 to consolidate the drybulk fleet of Euroseas Ltd. into a separate listed public company. EuroDry was spunoff from Euroseas Ltd on May 30, 2018; it trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker EDRY.

EuroDry operates in the dry cargo, drybulk shipping market. EuroDry's operations are managed by Eurobulk Ltd., an ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified affiliated ship management company and Eurobulk (Far East) Ltd. Inc., which are responsible for the day-to-day commercial and technical management and operations of the vessels. EuroDry employs its vessels on spot and period charters and under pool agreements. After the sale of M/V Eirini P., the Company will have a fleet of 11 vessels, including 2 Kamsarmax drybulk, 3 Panamax drybulk carriers, 5 Ultramax drybulk carriers, and 1 Supramax drybulk carrier. EuroDry’s 11 drybulk carriers have a total cargo capacity of 766,420 dwt. On a fully delivered basis, the Company’s fleet will increase to 13 drybulk ships with a cargo capacity of about 893,420 dwt.

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Alpha Bulkers signs up for global weather intelligence provider's Total Fleet Management Solution (TFMS) including comprehensive monitoring, optimization and weather services. Alpha Bulkers Shipmanagement specialises in the management and operation of large bulk carriers, ranging from ultramax to newcastlemax units. The fleet provides ocean transport services in close cooperation with major grain, coal, iron ore and minor bulk producers, power utilities, traders and shipping operators.

Initially, 22 vessels will be equipped with Weathernews' market-leading TFMS to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability, expanding to Alpha Bulkers' full stable of 35 ships within a few months. The agreement, which leverages Weathernews' SeaNavigator platform, including OSR-e (Optimum Ship Routing) and the Performance Monitoring Service, marks a significant milestone by enrolling the majority of Alpha Bulkers' fleet into optimizing and monitoring their voyages. The implementation of this project is overseen by Captain Thomas Levantis, Deputy Operations Manager at Alpha Bulkers, in coordination with the rest of Operations team.

Demanding selection process

After evaluating multiple offers, Alpha Bulkers chose Weathernews for its service excellence and deep engagement, rather than solely focusing on price. "Through in-depth discussions and workshops, we were able to develop a deep understanding of Weathernews' offering. This being the start of an extensive agreement with Weathernews, our key considerations were building trust and testing the performance of the solutions. Our top leadership responded very positively and valued the expertise and responsiveness of the Weathernews team. We look forward to rolling out their technology on our vessels," said Pavlos Vitos, General Manager and project lead at Alpha.

John Sideris, Senior Sales Manager at Weathernews, added: "We are delighted that Alpha Bulkers has chosen our solution. Our 24/7 availability and good rapport played a significant role in securing the business. Both parties have collaborated to develop a good understanding of each other's processes and strategies. This has been key in building trust and aligning our objectives to enhance the operational efficiency of the Alpha Bulkers fleet."

Solving key challenges

Alpha Bulkers' selection criteria included weather accuracy, detailed reporting, fast decision-making and high optimization capability. Their optimization requirements range from voyage optimisation to reduce fuel consumption/costs, engine speed (RPM) efficiency, TCE (time-charter equivalent) rates and overall fleet performance analysis. As per evolving market dynamics, single voyage optimisation has become even more strategically important.

Alpha Bulkers’ transition to data-driven decision-making reflects an industry-wide trend, aligning with its strategic goals and Weathernews' expertise in digital solutions. "This is a high-priority project that could influence potential carriers," concluded Sideris.

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RINA, the inspection, certification, ship classification and consulting engineering multinational, has awarded Korea Maritime Consultants Co., Ltd. (KOMAC) the Approval in Principle (AiP) for a newly developed 40,000 CBM LNG-fuelled, hydrogen-ready, liquid CO₂ (LCO₂) carrier.

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies offer significant potential for decarbonisation and are a key enabler of a more cost-effective and achievable net-zero future. Among the available CO₂ transportation options, shipping emerges as a viable solution to link emission sources with storage sites. Compared to pipelines, it provides shorter lead times, greater flexibility and scalability, streamlined permitting processes, and, in many cases, improved economic efficiency.

LCO₂ shipping is still an emerging market, with only a limited number of vessels in operation or under construction. This makes the development of new ships essential. KOMAC’s vessel design captures the growing momentum in the LCO₂ shipping segment, as major international projects begin to set the pace.

This AiP represents a significant advancement in maritime innovation. The future-ready design of the LCO₂ carrier, which features hydrogen as fuel - produced on board and on demand - offers a practical and efficient solution for meeting the IMO 2050 decarbonization targets.

Simone Manca, North Asia Marine Vice President at RINA said, “This AiP reinforces the close and productive relationship between RINA and KOMAC, highlighting our shared commitment to accelerating the transition toward low and zero-carbon operations. We are proud to support KOMAC in advancing a ship type that will play a pivotal role in the global carbon transport infrastructure. This achievement reflects not only technical excellence but also the collaborative spirit driving sustainable progress in maritime design. Looking ahead, RINA and KOMAC aim to deepen their collaboration, pushing the boundaries of marine engineering and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future for global shipping.”

KOMAC, the Korea's first and only private organization of naval architects and marine engineers, was founded in 1969. KOMAC has provided full range of professional services in the field of marine engineering including ship design (contract design, basic design, detailed design & production design), new building construction supervision, machinery and equipment procurement services, and technical and management consultancy services to shipbuilders and ship owners in more than 30 countries since its establishment. During last 54 years, KOMAC has designed more than 1,700 different classes and type of vessels and supervised construction of more than 1,400 vessels and provided numerous technical and management consultancy services to the worldwide clients.  KOMAC has participated in the planning of nearly every major shipyard projects and yard expansions in Korea including two huge ultra modern shipyards currently owned by Hanhwa Ocean (previously Daewoo) and Samsung Groups.  Through this intensive involvement in the local shipbuilding industry, KOMAC has made itself an indispensable partner in the rapidly expanding international maritime industry through relentless efforts and continued nurturing of its expertise both in quality and quantity.

RINA, leading certification and engineering company, provides a wide range of services across the Energy, Marine, Infrastructure & Mobility, Certification, Industry and Real Estate sectors. In December 2023, alongside the majority shareholder Registro Italiano Navale, Fondo Italiano d'Investimento SGR entered the shareholding structure guiding a pool of co-investors. With revenues in 2024 of 915 million euros, 6,200 employees and 200 offices in 70 countries worldwide, RINA is a member of key international organizations and an important contributor to the development of new legislative standards.

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