Leaders of the Greek shipping community are expressing deep concern about the future of Greece’s maritime tradition and the manning of ships, highlighting the urgent need for radical changes in maritime education and the elimination of outdated stereotypes, with the aim of attracting the younger generation to the profession.
The current situation surrounding the Greek flag and maritime education is considered particularly critical. Despite ongoing discussions, the progress made is unsatisfactory, at a time when international geopolitical developments are creating an environment of insecurity that acts as a deterrent to young people.
Geopolitical crises and security concerns
Contemporary international challenges directly impact the profession’s image. As Ms. Melina Traoulou, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping (HCS), aptly noted at the press conference marking the conclusion of the Posidonia 2026 International Exhibition, external factors are not favorable at this time, as the safety of seafarers is at risk: “Current circumstances do not encourage young people to view the profession positively. We have wars all around us, ships that are being targeted, ships that are stranded in a war zone, with seafarers who are worried—just as we are all worried about their safety—so this has not helped us.”
Greek Shipping Register: Modernization or Change in Composition
The link between the competitiveness of the shipping register and the presence of Greek seafarers on ships is unbreakable, as their absence inevitably leads to the dilemma of changing the composition of crews. The call for a modern fleet remains urgent, as the steps taken so far are insufficient and a joint effort by all stakeholders is required to overcome old stereotypes.
The President presented a clear dilemma regarding the future of the Greek flag, emphasizing that a universal mobilization of all parties is required: “The shipping register must evolve and keep pace with the current needs of our shipping industry. We’ve been saying this for years. Steps have been taken in that direction and are still being taken, but we’re not yet at the desired level. At the same time, it’s also about attracting young people to the maritime profession. Because in order to have Greek flags, we must also have seafarers on our ships. So either we must recruit and convince young people by every means to enter this profession, or we must decide to change the composition of the workforce. It’s one or the other. A coordinated effort and discussion among all stakeholders is needed.”
In this context, the need to move beyond the rigidities of the past was emphasized: “We have maintained a close relationship with the Ministry over time and are in dialogue. However, all stakeholders—whether we’re talking about educators or union representatives—must sit down at the same table and decide that we must now set aside certain stereotypes in order to move forward.”
Upgrading maritime education and the role of the family
The discussion regarding maritime education and young people’s disengagement from the sea is deep and multifaceted. Despite the fact that awareness initiatives are being implemented by elementary schools, the solution requires time and a comprehensive approach.
Upgrading schools is not the sole responsibility of the state, but requires the cooperation of the entire system—teachers, students, and parents—since “it all starts at home.”
The Greek shipping industry offers unique advantages for the younger generation, which must be communicated effectively:
- High salaries: Today, the monthly earnings of a Captain or Chief Engineer range from $12,000 to at least $14,000 or €12,000 to at least €14,000 per month (depending on the company), with corresponding scales for other officers.
- Modern environment: This is an extremely modern profession, with radically improved living and working conditions on board ships.
- Immediate job placement: With a powerful Greek-owned fleet of 5,800 merchant ships, there is no issue finding work for new cadets.
The Greek training model and simulators
Regarding the structure of training, it should be noted that the Greek system has an advantage, as young people go directly to a real merchant ship. At the same time, existing schools are fully equipped with modern simulators. The focus and investment must be on “having the right training system, the right textbooks, the right instructors, and the right schools,” so that students can then fully grasp the realities of seafaring on the ship itself in the best possible way.