DNV GL and the “Maria Tsakos” Foundation Team Up to Support Maritime Research
The “Maria Tsakos” Foundation-International Center of Maritime Research and Tradition and DNV GL have embarked on a joint venture to cooperate on the maritime transportation domain, with particular emphasis on maritime education, research and environmental protection.
A signing ceremony to commemorate the agreement between the two partners was held at the Foundation’s headquarters in Chios on 27 September 2014. DNV C.E.O. of Maritime Tor Svensen, and “Maria Tsakos” Foundation Chairman and IMO Secretary-General Emeritus Efthymios Mitropoulos signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of their respective organizations. They were joined by a number of distinguished guests, including Captain Panagiotis Tsakos, founder of the Foundation, the President and C.E.O. of the DNV GL Group Mr. Henrik O. Madsen, the Ambassador of Norway in Greece, H.E. Sjur Larsen, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Greece, H.E. Gil Sou Shin, the DNV GL Regional Manager of Eastern Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas, Mr. Nikolaos Boussounis and the DNV GL Manager for Greece and Cyprus, Mr. Andreas Pagalos, Professor E. Thanopoulou, students of the Aegean University, Mr Manolis Koukoulis Director of “Maria’s House” boarding school with boarders and Tsakos Group Seafarers.
The “Maria Tsakos” Foundation’s Chairman Mr. Efthymios E. Mitropoulos delivering a welcome speech to the DNV GL delegation. On his left, there are: Capt. Panagiotis N. Tsakos, Mr. Henrik O. Madsen, President and CEO of DNV GL Group, H.E. Sjur Larsen, Ambassador of Norway in Athens, H.E. Gil Sou Shin, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Greece, Adm. Stavros Michaelidis, General Manager of the Foundation and Dr. Evi Hatziandreou, Scientific Director. On Mr. Mitropoulos’ right, there are Mr. Tor E. Svensen, C.E.O. of DNV GL’s Maritime, Mr. Nikolaos Boussounis, DNV GL Regional Manager of Eastern Mediterranean, Black and Kaspian Seas and Mr. Andreas Pagalos, DNV GL Manager for Greece and Cyprus.
The Chios-based “Maria Tsakos” Foundation – International Center of Maritime Research and Tradition, was founded in 2008 by the family of Captain Panagiotis N.Tsakos. Since its establishment, the Foundation has grown to become one of the leading maritime NGOs in Greece relentlessly working to support the maritime industry and seafarers.
DNV GL, a leading classification society, form one of the world’s leading ship and offshore classification society, the leading technical advisor to the global oil and gas industry, and a leading expert for the energy value chain including renewables and energy efficiency.
The Foundation’s Chairman, Mr. Mitropoulos signing the Memorandum of Understanding with DNV GL’s C.E.O. Mr. Tor E. Svensen.
As a result of the MoU signing, the two Parties will share complementary mission elements in a wide range of mutual interest areas, with key overlapping elements including, but not limited to, maritime research, safety at sea, seafarers’ welfare and the protection and preservation of the environment – both marine and atmospheric.
Captain P. Tsakos warmly welcomed the DNV GL delegation to the meeting, stressing that the signing of the MoU honours the Foundation and expressing the wish for a long co-operation to the benefit of shipping and the wide objectives the two partners aim to achieve.
Speaking on the occasion, DNV GL Group’s President and C.E.O. Mr. Madsen highlighted: “It is a great honour for us to work together with the “Maria Tsakos” Foundation to promote safer shipping and better conditions for seafarers and the environment.”
This sentiment was echoed by Chairman Efthymios Mitropoulos, who thanked DNV GL for its contribution to safety and environmental protection and stressed that he was looking forward to working closely with it to mutual benefit.
Source: DNV GL