The Italian Ship Registry RINA is upgrading its presence in Greece with the creation of a new Inspector Academy for all of Southern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
As Giosuè Vezzuto, Executive Vice President of RINA Marine points out, Greece is an important region for shipping and for RINA. “We aim for the new Inspector Academy to target university students and new graduates in the near future in addition to RINA inspectors,” he noted. The relevant announcements were made at the recent meeting of the Hellenic Technical Committee (HTC) of RINA with the participation of shipowners and executives of shipping companies.
The challenges
The meeting also discussed the impact of new regulations (CII), on the path to decarbonisation and the latest developments in digital tools to enhance operational efficiency and safety. The shipping industry has some critical decarbonisation targets initially in 2030 and then 2050. The challenge for ship managers, however, is not only which technology offers a solution for the newbuilds of the future, but also what they can do with existing fleets. This was one of the main topics of the meeting.
Spyros Zolotas, RINA’s Senior Director, Marine South EMEA Region, said that events like HTC are essential to achieving the maritime industry’s goals. “It allows us to discuss real issues, understand concerns and share vital knowledge and experiences,” Mr. Zolotas emphasized.
The HTC meeting was jointly chaired by Theodoros Baltatzis, General Manager of Technomar Shipping, and Akis Tsirigakis, CEO of Nautilus Energy Management Corp.
There are many potential solutions to help decarbonise the shipping industry but, at HTC, it was clear that in shipping there is a confusion with new ideas and practical solutions are needed to move us forward and allow companies to operate with the way it needs to be. There will not be a single answer and we must continue to explore all the options available to us, stressed Mr. Zolotas.
