04-11-2025
The METAVASEA Project presented at the International Sea Tourism Festival 2025
Transitioning Shipping Towards Carbon Emission Reduction
The METAVASEA Project was presented at the Sea Tourism & Development Conference – “Blue Horizons”, held on Monday, 27 October 2025, at Ayia Napa Marina, as part of the International Sea Tourism Festival (ISTF 2025).
During Panel Discussion 3: “People, Maritime Education, Safety of Sea-based Activities & Development of Yachting and Cruise Sectors”, the Secretary General of CYMEPA (Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association), Dr Michael Ierides, outlined the main objectives and actions of the METAVASEA Project, highlighting the importance of a human-centred approach in the shipping industry’s transition towards carbon emission reduction.
Dr Ierides emphasised that the success of the green transition depends on education, training and the safety of the people working in shipping and the wider maritime industries, noting that projects like METAVASEA strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange among all stakeholders.
Commenting on the discussion, Dr Andri Theodorou from the Cyprus Marine & Maritime Institute (CMMI) referred to the technical and scientific aspects of the project, providing further clarification on the initial results of the ongoing opinion survey.
The panel, moderated by journalist Marios Adamou, also included Charalambos Manoli, President of the Famagusta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Giorgos Economou, Operations Officer at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC), and Panayiotis Agathokleous, Port Manager of Limassol.
The International Sea Tourism Festival (ISTF 2025), held from 25 to 28 October 2025, brought together representatives from the shipping, sea tourism, and maritime education sectors, aiming to promote sustainable development, safety, and innovation in sea-based activities.
About METAVASEA
METAVASEA is a five-year international project that aims to facilitate a human-centred transition of the shipping industry towards carbon emission reduction through education, training, and stakeholder collaboration. The project is coordinated by HELMEPA, with the support of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, and involves CYMEPA, the Cyprus Marine & Maritime Institute (CMMI), the World Maritime University (WMU), the MIO-ECSDE, and other partner organisations.
For more information: www.cymepa.org.cy/el/metavasea