Bureau Veritas hosts 26th Hellenic and Black Sea Committee in Athens

A forum of insight and collaboration, gathering industry leaders to shape the future of shipping

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV M&O) convened the 26th meeting of its Hellenic and Black Sea Committee in Athens, bringing together influential figures from the Greek shipping community and international maritime experts. The annual forum fosters dialogue on the future of maritime transport, the energy transition, and evolving regulatory frameworks.

Chaired by George Procopiou and hosted by Paillette Palaiologou, Senior Vice President for East Europe, the Mediterranean, Middle East, Africa, and India (EMA) at BV M&O, the event opened with remarks emphasizing the importance of transparent engagement between classification societies and the shipping sector.

Hinda Gharbi, CEO of Bureau Veritas, outlined the Group’s global vision, reaffirming its mission to build trust and support clients in their sustainability transitions. Matthieu de Tugny, President of BV M&O, followed with an update on the organization’s strategic focus — highlighting advancements in innovation, regulatory leadership, and decarbonization efforts.

Dr. John Kokarakis, Technical Director for the SEEBA Zone at BV M&O, delivered a comprehensive technical update on post-MEPC 83 compliance strategies and the implementation of FuelEU Maritime. He emphasized a systems-thinking approach to regulatory adaptation and long-term fleet management.

This year’s Committee featured distinguished guest speakers offering diverse perspectives on global shipping’s transformation. Michal Kurtyka, former COP24 President and Minister of Climate for Poland, explored the geopolitical and technological forces shaping the industry. Araceli Fernandez Pales, Head of the Technology Innovation Unit at the International Energy Agency, discussed energy technology supply chains and their impact on maritime decarbonization.

Vassilios Dimoulas, Director of Technology & Innovation at BV M&O, examined the potential of renewable methane as a successor to LNG, reinforcing the growing significance of gas fuels in the sector’s decarbonization roadmap.

Adding a cultural dimension, Eleni Letoni offered a reflective presentation on the historical and symbolic resonance of St. Constantine and St. Eleni, drawing thoughtful parallels to today’s transformative challenges in maritime affairs.

The meeting concluded with an open forum and closing remarks by George Procopiou, reaffirming the Committee’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaborative progress in shipping.

Matthieu de TugnyPresident Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore: “This Committee remains a vital platform for constructive dialogue with our partners in the Greek and Black Sea maritime communities. I’m grateful to our members and guest speakers for their invaluable insights as we collectively navigate the evolving future of our industry.”