Key personalities from government, shipping, and education, gathered together at the Yacht Club of Greece to celebrate a decade of purpose and to honor a movement for youth empowerment and ‘brain gain’.

ATHENS — On June 25, 2025, Project Connect became the epicenter of maritime education and youth empowerment as it celebrated its 10-Years Anniversary, at the emblematic Yacht Club of Greece, highlighting a decade of initiatives that have built bridges between students and the shipping industry and have created an entire movement since its inception.

Over 250 guests, including many members of Project Connect were welcomed with a multimedia display showcasing Project Connect’s journey from youth employment placements, skills training to international expansion and partnering with 800 primary and secondary schools engaged with 418 captains of vessels at sea. The evening began symbolically with the sound of a ship horn, signaling the new voyage for the organization.

The program was opened by Dr. Yanna Darilis, Master of Ceremonies, and the special.  

Ms. Darilis stated,  “On May 27th, 2015, Project Connect was launched by a group of visionary professionals led by Irene Notias, with one bold and clear mission: to bridge the gap between the maritime industry and the next generation. What began as an inspired idea has grown into a national and international initiative, transforming youth engagement, redefining maritime education, and reshaping the future of Greek shipping. A Movement grounded in a commitment to social responsibility, industry sustainability and youth empowerment.”

She continued: “In just ten years, Project Connect has managed with little resources to become a pioneer in youth employability, serving as Greece’s first Human Resource hub for the Greek shipping industry, encouraging companies to open their doors to interns and entry-level professionals, building reciprocal trust, and nurturing new talent. From professional seminars and student placement support to building bridges between universities and maritime companies, the ripple effect has been powerful and continues growing strong.” 

Dr. Darilis introduced the Founder & Director Irene Notias who shared her inspiring story—rooted in family values, a response to Greece’s ‘brain drain’, and a passion for creating opportunity. “We educate, we empower, we connect,” she said, reflecting on the organization’s mission.

His Excellency, Dr. Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, representing  H.E. Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis congratulated Ms Notias on her passion and achievement and affirmed his interest to cooperate in the near future regarding youth orientation towards maritime vocations at sea and shore, creating a National Maritime Week for Schools, and more support for effective tools like Adopt a Ship.

Mr. Nicholas Tsalamanios, Chairman & Main Benefactor of Project Connect and Co-CEO of Seaven Tankers & Dry shared his pride in investing in Project Connect, for its efficient programs such as Adopt a Ship which up to now has educated 20,000 young people about maritime life from an early age and connects them with the industry through structured, professional processes.

Mr. John Xylas, CEO, Ariston Navigation, Treasurer and Representative of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Chairman of Intercargo and Project Connect’s  first Founder Member, expressed his support for the initiative from the beginning as it bridged a big gap between educational institutions and the shipping companies.  He emphasized the empowering benefits for crew who participate in the Adopt a Ship program, as they give back to the younger generation, who bridge the shipping industry to their families, gaining maritime awareness and the future vocational possibilities for their children’s future. Supporting Organization of the educational program Adopt a Ship is the Union of Greek Shipowners.

Presentation of the “Adopt a Ship” program

Dr. Adamantia Spanaka, Educational Consultant for the Adopt a Ship program at Project Connect, presented a slide show about the efficacy of the “Adopt a Ship” program and its benefits for the teachers, students and their families. Pointing out that half of the pupils surveyed aspire to join the industry due to their ‘all-school-year-long’ activities and letter exchanges with their adopted vessel’s captain.

The program featured pupils from Athens College (Olina Anagnostopoulou & Stefanos Delikostopoulos) reading a real letter exchange between a Davlia grade school class and the captain of their adopted vessel, M/T Maran Dione, of Maran Tanker Management.

There were touching remarks from Event Sponsors :

• Her Excellency Mrs. Julie Lymberopoulou Karnakis, Ambassador of Panama firmly supporting the educational component and a future cooperation.
• Mr. Theofanis Theofanous, Managing Director, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Hellas), a PROJECT CONNECT Member stated that they use the CV Platform to recruit young talent and are happily enrolling their vessels in the Adopt a Ship program, for a while now.

Encouragement from Government Auspices and Officials.

• Mr. George Alexandratos, President, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping focused on the importance of such initiatives and stressed they will expand their support.
• Ms. Katerina Monogiou, a Member of the Hellenic Parliament, chairing the Education committee, and representing the Cyclade Islands where the Adopt a Ship is thriving, pledged support for incorporating Adopt a Ship into The National Maritime Week, proposed in synergy with relative Ministries.
• Mr. Lou Raptakis, U.S. State Senator,  a supporter from the very beginning of its inception and first to declare that initiatives like Project Connect are necessary for sustainability.  Together with his wife, Dr Donna Raptakis recommended the program to Hellenic Charter Plato Academy schools, in Florida.
• Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos, former European Commissioner, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense, Member of Parliament sent salutation and stated that “Greek shipping, a pillar of our national economy with global reach, needs the new generation. And the new generation needs initiatives like Project Connect to be inspired and to chart its own course in this unique world.”
• Ms. Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of Education sent Salutation through written statement  that  “the fact that the program is integrated into the Skills Labs and supported by approved material from the Institute of Educational Policy (IEP) further enhances its educational value.  I extend my warmest thanks to the educators who, with enthusiasm and dedication, implement the program and serve as the vital link between the classroom and the world of shipping. Their contribution is truly invaluable.”

Both Salutations were read by the Adopt a Ship Coordinator, Mrs. Effie Kotika. 

Celebrating the Adopt a Ship Pioneers

The original “Lucky 7” vessels, and captains, came from six shipping companies. They and the teachers who participated in the Adopt a Ship Pilot during school semester,  January to June 2019  were mentioned and the companies honored: ARISTON NAVIGATION, ASTRA SHIPMANAGEMENT, EUROBULK, MEDFERRY, PHOENIX, and STARBULK.

Special recognition was given to:

• Effie Kotika, Adopt a Ship coordinator, for voluntarily matching ships with schools for seven consecutive years.
• George Tsavliris, Honorary Chairman of Project Connect who was instrumental in advising Ms.Notias about bringing Adopt a Ship to Greece.
• Alex Josephides, Chairman, Cyprus Chamber of Shipping & Michael Ierides, Secretary General, CYMEPA for providing the Adopt a Ship materials and allowing Ms Notias free reign to develop the Adopt a Ship program, in Greece. 

A special surprise by Dr. John Kalogerakis Honorary Project Connect Member performing a Cretan tradition of commemoration. He created and sang a Cretan song (mandinada) about the character and achievements of Ms. Notias.

The festive cocktail evening reinforced maritime camaraderie, graced by the soprano Ms. Anastasia Zannis’ live performance and added to the event’s success.

The Event was sponsored by the Chairman, Nicholas Tsalamanios and the following companies who are members and friends:  Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, Columbia Shipmanagement Greece,   Cormorant Maritime Projects LLC,    Cross Roads Agencies S.A.,    Danaos Shipping Co. Ltd,     Doric Shipbrokers S.A.,      Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd,      Embassy and Consulate of Panama,     Eurobulk Ltd.,    GANMAR Shipping,     Island Oil Hellas Ltd.,     J. G. Roussos,     John Naslas,     Katradis Marine Ropes Industry,    Konkar Shipping Agencies S.A.,    Lotus Shipping Company Limited,    Marine Tours S.A.,    Pleiades Shipping Agents S.A.,    Sea Pioneer Shipping Corporation,  Seaven Tankers & Dry Management, Inc.,  Star Bulk Management Inc.,    SteelShips LLC,    Technomar Shipping Inc., The American P&I Club,   Tsavliris Salvage Ltd, and   V.Ships. 

The Project Connect team dedicated this celebration event which fell on Seafarers Day to the captains and crew of the Adopt a Ship  program.

A Decade of Achievements

PROJECT CONNECT’s key initiatives include:

• Adopt a Ship: Connecting grade and high schools with ship captains via e-mail letters engagement, the program has expanded from Greece to the United States.
• 11 UN SDG Contributions:  addresses sustainability goals from quality education to mental well-being.
• “Youth Empowerment – Niata Psila” Seminars: Offering professional readiness and soft skills training, and personal empowerment.
• 3-D Virtual Tour of a modern Shipping company’s departments and positions
• CONNECT CV-HR Platform: A digital recruiting tool that connects young talent with shipping companies using a fun, psychometric skills tool, ‘owiwi’.

MEDIA SUPPORT: All About Shipping, Alpha News, Elnavi, ERT,  Kathimerini, Lloyds, Maritime Economies, maritimes.gr, Nafsgreen Shipping News Portal, National Herald, Naftemporiki, New Greek TV,  Portal Piraeus, Proto Thema, Ta Nea, The National Herald, The SeaNation, Tradewinds and Vima.

Join the Movement

PROJECT CONNECT invites shipowners, educators, and stakeholders to join its mission to prepare the next generation for a thriving future in maritime.

Contact:
✉️ bridge@project-connect.gr

📞 +30 6938 509 893,    211 119 5693

📍 PROJECT CONNECT, 85 Vouliagmenis Ave., City Plaza, Glyfada 16674
🌐 www.project-connect.gr