From First Grade to the First Job: 10 Years of Youth Day at Posidonia

With more than 1,000 participants, the 10th Youth Day at Posidonia took place on Friday, June 5, 2026, as part of the YES to Shipping Forum 2026. This landmark anniversary event brought together students, university undergraduates and graduates, young professionals, representatives of the maritime and academic communities, government officials, and local authorities, highlighting the importance of systematically investing in the human capital of Greek shipping.

Opening remarks were delivered by Melina Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners; Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy; Niki Kerameus, Minister of Labour and Social Security; Domna Michailidou, Minister of Social Cohesion and Family; George Alexandratos, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping; Yiannis Moralis, Mayor of Piraeus; and Michalis Sfakianakis, Rector of the University of Piraeus.

The event featured 36 speakers representing the full spectrum of the maritime ecosystem. Among the distinguished guests were Theodore Veniamis, former President of the Union of Greek Shipowners and Chairman of Golden Union; John Lyras, former President of ECSA and Chairman of Paralos Maritime Corporation S.A.; and Evina Fotiadou, Director of Maritime Policy and Communications at ECSA.

International Dialogue and the YES Forum Survey
A highlight of the event was the first international youth discussion on shipping, bringing together representatives from 12 countries and marking a new chapter in the internationalization of the YES Forum and the global dialogue on the future of shipping.

During the event, the first global YES Forum survey was also presented. The findings revealed that young people’s interest in shipping remains strong worldwide, while the primary challenge is not a lack of interest but rather access to information and opportunities.

The study found that:

In developed maritime nations, young people are primarily attracted to shipping because of their passion for the sea and ships.
In developing economies, financial incentives and career advancement opportunities are the main drivers.
Greece combines both factors, with young people recognizing both the sector’s professional opportunities (62%) and its connection to the country’s maritime heritage (60%).
Furthermore, countries that systematically integrate maritime education into their educational systems, such as the Philippines and Ethiopia, demonstrate higher levels of youth interest in the maritime sector, particularly in seafaring careers.
This finding is especially significant for Greece, where the Maritime Studies course developed by the YES Forum has been taught in public and private schools since September 2025. Measurable results are expected to emerge in the near future.

At the same time, the YES Forum’s awareness, education, mentoring, and career networking initiatives engage students from the first grade of primary school through to university graduates. Through the book Towards the Sea, which serves as a key educational tool within the Maritime Studies curriculum, thousands of children across Greece have been introduced to the nation’s maritime heritage and the modern career opportunities offered by the shipping industry.

Key Findings for Greece
Despite the strong interest in the sector, 42% of young people perceive entering the industry as difficult or believe they lack the required skills.

At the same time, employers hold a different view. In fact, 63.8% of employers evaluate newcomers to the shipping industry positively, emphasizing that the most important qualities in candidates are communication skills, adaptability, and professional ethics.

The challenge, therefore, is not the quality of young talent, but ensuring timely and effective access to information and opportunities.

Greece’s success in connecting young people with the maritime sector is undeniable, and the YES Forum has played a significant role in this achievement through the initiatives it has implemented since 2014.

Specifically:

51% participation in Career Fairs (compared to 17% globally), with more than 1,500 interviews conducted annually, approximately 40 participating companies, and an average of 150 participants at each YES Forum Career Fair.
47% participation in Open Days (compared to 8% internationally), with the YES Forum having organized more than 130 Open Days to date.
31% participation in mentoring programmes (compared to 20% globally), resulting in the creation of 175 mentoring pairs through the YES Forum.
These figures confirm that sustained engagement between young people and the shipping industry delivers tangible results.

The full survey results can be accessed here.

The executive summary of the survey can be found here.

Statement by Danae Bezantakou
Danae Bezantakou, Founder of the YES Forum and CEO of Navigator Shipping Consultants, stated:

“The most significant achievement of the YES Forum has been the creation of a consistent and meaningful dialogue between the business and academic communities, institutional stakeholders, and the younger generation, initially at a national level and now increasingly at an international one. Through this dialogue, shipping becomes more accessible, more understandable, and more open to young people, while also highlighting the importance of international cooperation in shaping discussions about the next generation and the future of our industry.”