One of the long-standing concerns of the Greek shipping community is the diminishing number of young people choosing to enter the industry, whether onboard ships or shoreside.
A number of initiatives have been taken, including a campaign by the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) to attract more students to the maritime academies. It also supports financially the academies by improving their facilities and upgrading equipment in an effort to properly prepare a sufficient number of officers for the manning requirements of the Greek-owned fleet, which has now reached almost 4,100 vessels.
The
