The Eugenides Foundation hosted a high-level event at Posidonia 2026 focused on the training and upskilling of the next generation of seafarers, bringing together leading figures from international maritime education and industry. The event, titled “Skilling and Upskilling the NextGen Seafarers: Eugenides Foundation Advances into the International Education Ecosystem”, drew on the Foundation’s 70 years of experience in education and skills development in Greece. The case for change The event addressed the growing impact of the green transition, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and new safety requirements on the maritime sector. Speakers underlined that the future of shipping depends primarily on people and their ability to adapt to rapidly changing demands. “Shipping is facing a period of profound transformation, as the green transition, digitalization, artificial intelligence and new safety requirements are radically reshaping the sector. The future of shipping will depend primarily on its people and their ability to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the times” said Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenides, president, Eugenides Foundation. He stressed that only close cooperation among industry, academia, international organisations and the state can keep maritime education relevant and responsive to technological, environmental and geopolitical developments. Maritime English platform The Foundation launched a globally recognised digital learning and evaluation system for Maritime English, compliant with IMO and STCW standards. The platform allows cadets and seafarers to improve language skills independently and at their own pace. Assessment and certification components were developed in partnership with the British Council and Italian classification society RINA. “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in maritime education and professional development. By combining educational expertise, English language inter