Now in its third consecutive year in Greece, NauticinBlu Europe 2026,created by Marevivo Foundation andimplemented by HELMEPA with the support of the MSC Foundation, brought 228 students from five Vocational Nautical High Schools across Attica into direct contact with the maritime industry, the marine environment and their own future role as Ocean Ambassadors. With this year’s edition, the programme has now engaged a total of more than 516 students and 52 teachers since its launch in Greece, fostering connections between vocational maritime education with ocean literacy, climate awareness and the realities of the blue economy.
Following a bottom-up, student-centred methodology, each of the five participating schools followed a five-day programme adapted to students’ interests, educational profile and career aspirations, combining interactive workshops on marine protection and climate change, mentoring sessions with maritime industry leaders, beach clean-up and marine litter monitoring activities, educational visits and onboard experiences, and a final event with student-led presentations.
4th EPAL of Piraeus: Students stepped into HELMEPA’s Bridge Simulator for hands-on exposure to navigation and safety procedures in a realistic bridge environment. The week also featured a mentoring session by Capt. Nikolaos K. Polymeris, Crew Manager at Evalend Shipping Co / Apex Shipping & Energy Ltd. and closed with a beach cleanup and student presentations inspired by Marevivo’s exhibition.
Leonidas, student at the 4th EPAL of Piraeus, captured the spirit of the experience: “This programme gave me the opportunity to learn more about the environment in a creative and engaging way. It made me realise that environmental protection is everyone’s responsibility and that young people can play an important role in creating change.”
1st and 2nd EPAL of Agia Paraskevi:Students
were mentored by Mr. Theodosis Stamatelos, Director of the Fleet Operations Centre at Lloyd’s Register, and together with students from the Italian Nautical Institute “Nino Bixio,” they visited CMA D. Argoudelis& Co S.A. to explore its maritime automation laboratory and engage in sessions on soft skills, recruitment and interview preparation. The week concluded with an Interactive Ocean Ambassadors Presentation inspired by Marevivo’s exhibition and international awareness campaignONLY ONE – One Planet, One Ocean, One Health, which highlights the essential role of the ocean and marine biodiversity, as well as the urgency of accelerating the ecological transition. The event featured the in-person participation of Mr. Elias Tsoukalas, General Manager of MSC Greece and Ms. Kim Mancini, of the MSC Foundation.
1st and 2nd EPAL of Ilion: Students were mentored by Ms. Katerina Palla, Head of the Marine Training Centre at RINA, on maritime safety, quality standards and career opportunities. The week also included an onboard educational visit to the MSC Cruises vessel MSC Lirica and a coastal cleanup paired with marine litter monitoring.
Katerina Rigou, teacher at the 5th Laboratory Centre of C’ Athens Prefecture, reflected on the programme’s value: “What impressed me most was that we didn’t just talkabout environmental problems. We also explored practical solutions and ways that young people can contribute through simple everyday actions. I believe programmes like this are essential for inspiring young people to care for the environment and our future.”
“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect the ocean. By bringing together ocean literacy, maritime education and direct experience, while strengthening young people’s connection to and scientific understanding of marine ecosystems, NauticinBlu Europe is helping to inspire a new generation that understands both the opportunities and the responsibilities linked to the sea. The enthusiasm and commitment shown by the students in Greece confirm the importance of investing in knowledge and awareness to help build a more responsible and sustainable future,” emphasised Raffaella Giugni, Secretary General of Marevivo Foundation.
Daniela Picco, MSC Foundation Executive Director added:“Having supported NauticinBlu since its inception with Marevivo Foundation in Italy, we are proud to collaborate with HELMEPA to help young people in Greece strengthen their understanding of the marine environment while exploring future maritime careers. We warmly congratulate HELMEPA, participating schools and students on another successful year of the programme.”
“NauticinBlu Europe” is a cross-border initiative involving Nautical Institutes from Italy, Greece, Portugal and Spain, coordinated by the Italian environmental Foundation Marevivo with the support of the MSC Foundation. In Greece, the programme is implemented by the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA), reflecting a shared commitment to build environmental literacy and ocean stewardship among the next generation of maritime professionals, equipping them to contribute actively to a sustainable blue economy.
HELMEPA’s Director General, Olga Stavropoulou, highlighted: “NauticinBlu Europe is exactly the kind of collaboration we believe in. Bottom-up, solution-focused, and built around the people it serves. We do not build programmes for young people. We build them with them. When a vocational student sits down with the General Manager of a major shipping company, steps onto the bridge of a real vessel, or stands in front of their peers as an Ocean Ambassador, something shifts. They stop being passive learners and start owning the outcome.”
