Following a vibrant participation at Posidonia 2026, Project Connect’s recent Members & Teachers Conference, held at the Metropolitan Expo on June 4th, highlighted the powerful impact of the Adopt a Ship TM maritime educational program for children in Greek School system across the nation and abroad.
There was a unique kind of energy in the air, at this year’s exhibition, one filled with genuine enthusiasm, deep emotion, and a real sense of hope for what’s ahead, as Project Connect showcased its most innovative and effective action, proudly pioneered in Greece by the organization back in 2018 and seeing fruits of its
labor with 50% choosing maritime careers and 300 plus Adopt a Ship graduates entering Academies. Adopt a Ship EPAL/1st year Marine Cadets expressed gratitude for the program. It helped them pass the exams with current knowledge from their adopted vessels.
Since its inception, this state-approved educational model has grown into a global movement of maritime awareness, building a real bridge between school classrooms and the sea with a proven track record: 30,000+ students inspired, 700+ teachers actively participating, 1,100+ classes engaged, 380+ vessels joined, and 4,500+ heartfelt letters of correspondence exchanged. Those who visited the organization’s pavilion (Stand 2.544, Hall 2) or actively participated in the conference witnessed a beautiful truth: the Greek maritime family is growing and reinforcing itself through a highly engaged audience of shipowners, institutional leaders, educators, and students, all united in their dedication to the next generation.
A Unique and Moving Opening
The conference kicked off with an incredible burst of youth energy, welcoming guests with Florina’s and Prespes’ Adopt a Ship Student’s Rap Songs, written and performed by the students themselves. Τhe opening session, “Voices from the Sea” completely cut through the formal atmosphere. The audience experienced a storytelling reading of an authentic letter exchange between a primary school pupil, Amalia and Captain Konstantinos D. Geomelos, bringing the deep human impact of the program right onto the stage. This heartwarming moment showed how captains act as real-life role models to teach children values like resilience, commitment, and responsibility.
Ms. Irene Notias, Founder & Director of Project Connect, welcomed the guests and shared the inspiring evolution of the organization, from its early days connecting university students with shipping via its pioneering CV Platform, to linking deep-sea vessels directly with young classrooms. The state and the maritime institutions strongly backed this vision. Mr. Athanasios Makris (Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy) and Mr. George Alexandratos (President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping) both addressed the audience, affirming their ongoing institutional support and praising the ESG social responsibility dimension of connecting local communities with the crews at sea.
Industry Leadership & Future Skills
The shipping community’s perspective was powerfully delivered by Mr. John Xylas (Chairman of INTERCARGO, Treasurer of the Union of Greek Shipowners, CEO Ariston Navigation, and Founder Member of Project Connect). In his address regarding the workforce of 2036, Mr. Xylas emphasized: “Investing in maritime education and exposure at an early age is a structural necessity to meet the challenges of modern international shipping. By fostering awareness and empathy for seafarers as essential key workers, we instill vital core values, teamwork, responsibility, and resilience, which are necessary for young adults to transition and work successfully within the maritime industry”.
To reinforce this, Dr. John Kalogerakis, Culture Architect and Motivational speaker, Honorary Founder Member of Project Connect, delivered a high-energy talk on how Project Connect’s “νιάτα ψηλά” (youth elevated) seminars train and build the vital confidence and hard skills needed for a rapidly evolving maritime sector.
The academic foundation of the program was highlighted by Dr. Adamantia Spanaka (Educator’s Consultant and Adopt a Ship Program Developer), who presented research-backed evidence and teacher assessments proving how Adopt a Ship TM transforms regular classrooms into thriving maritime learning ecosystems.
“The “Adopt a Ship” program is the first maritime educational tool and that educators chose over and over again to teach core subjects while they instill the life-changing experience that plants the seed of maritime culture in the hearts of the next generation”, she said.
Recognition Ceremony & Special Grants
The emotional peak of the conference was the Recognition Ceremony: The Heart of Adopt a Ship TM. Project Connect honored the educators driving the program, giving special symbolic awards to five indicative teachers for their outstanding dedication staying with the program consistently in its 8 years: Dr. Adamantia Spanaka, Mrs. Vasiliki Bakrozi, Mr. Chrysostomos Lefteratos, Mr Dimitris Gardiklis and Mrs. Katerina Psaltou.
Project Connect proudly launched tangible pathways for the next-generation workforce of 2036 by presenting Special Adopt a Ship EPAL Graduate Awards & Student Grants to Maritime Vocational graduates who were admitted to Marine Academies due to their full participation in the program.
- The “Future Captain” Scholarship (€1,000), sponsored by Mr. John Naslas, awarded in loving memory of Georgios Lygnos went to a graduate from 2nd EPAL ILION who was admitted to AEN Aspropyrgos
- The “Future CEO” Scholarship (€500), sponsored by SteelShips LLC, supporting the next generation of shipping executives, went to a graduate from EPAL RODOS who was admitted to AEN Macedonia.
- “Short-Sea Travel Experience”: Unique educational sea voyages sponsored by SEAVEN TANKER & DRY MANAGEMENT, Inc. were awarded to two students from 9th EPAL PIRAEUS
Looking back at the packed room and the journey of the program, Ms. Irene Notias noted: “By connecting students with the reality of life at sea today, the program prepares them tangibly with accurate information making them more ready to study maritime in universities and marine academies. This is how Project Connect is actively raising and building the maritime workforce of 2036.”
She continued: “The Shipping community talks about the Greek Shipping Miracle.
Adopt a Ship by Project Connect is the 2nd Greek Shipping Miracle because it has successfully managed to unite a strong collective force of shipowning, management and maritime service companies to one main cause that instills maritime education in the primary and secondary school system for the last 8 consecutive years – all school year long, influencing more initiatives like it. It has been long awaited for!”
Celebrating 11 years of continuous contribution, Project Connect continues to deliver concrete, measurable, and inspiring results, ensuring that the legacy of Greek shipping remains in capable and inspired hands, raising the next generation of professionals both on shore and at sea.
ELNAVI Newsletter
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