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PRESS RELEASE
New Endowed Chair in “Blue Economy” Established at Aristotle University
Thessaloniki, 28 July 2026
With the aim of strengthening education and research in the field of the Blue Economy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd (DTM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today, Tuesday, 28 July 2026, in the University Senate Hall for the establishment and operation of an Endowed Chair in the School of Economics of the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences.
The new Endowed Chair in “Blue Economy” aspires to become an internationally recognized center for education, research, and innovation in the field of the Blue Economy, linking Greece’s long-standing maritime tradition with the contemporary challenges of sustainable development, the green transition, and the digital transformation of shipping and port operations. The initiative responds to the evolving demands of the global maritime industry, where environmental sustainability, technological innovation, and the efficient management of maritime transport have become key drivers of economic growth.
Cutting-Edge Research in Maritime Transport, the Green Transition, and Digital Shipping
The Chair’s research activities will focus on issues such as the sustainable management of maritime transport, the adaptation of shipping to international environmental regulations, the development of smart ports through digital technologies, and the role of the Blue Economy in regional development and global supply chains. It will also promote applied research that connects economics with fields such as business administration, supply chain management, energy economics, and the law of the sea, reinforcing the initiative’s interdisciplinary character.
Bridging Knowledge, the Labour Market, and International Academic Collaboration
The Chair is expected to make a substantial contribution to the generation of new scientific knowledge, the education of highly specialized scientists and professionals for the maritime sector, and the strengthening of Aristotle University’s international presence through partnerships with universities, research centers, and institutional organizations abroad. At the same time, it will foster closer links between the academic community, the labour market, and the business sector by leveraging the expertise and needs of one of the most important productive sectors of the Greek economy.
Education, Innovation, and International Partnerships at the Heart of the New Chair
The Chair will develop educational and research activities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, organize conferences, seminars, and lectures, establish international collaboration networks with academic and research institutions, and implement summer schools and educational initiatives. Its objective is to create a dynamic knowledge ecosystem that promotes excellence in education and research, fosters innovation, and contributes to the sustainable development of shipping and the port economy.
The Endowed Chair in “Blue Economy” will establish a modern, interdisciplinary field of education and research focusing on the sustainable management of shipping and port operations.
From Green Shipping to Smart Ports
The Chair’s academic focus will cover topics including the decarbonization of maritime transport, the energy transition, the implementation of international environmental regulations, green finance, risk management, and the use of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data to develop smart ports and more efficient maritime systems.
Kyriakos Anastasiadis: “An Investment in Knowledge and Innovation for the Shipping Industry of the Future”
The Rector of Aristotle University, Professor Kyriakos Anastasiadis, stated:
“The establishment of the Endowed Chair in ‘Blue Economy’ represents a significant investment in knowledge, innovation, and the international outlook of Aristotle University. Shipping is one of the strongest pillars of the Greek economy and today faces major challenges related to sustainable development, the green transition, and digital transformation. By leveraging its outstanding academic expertise and developing meaningful partnerships with the business community, Aristotle University is creating a new hub for knowledge creation and innovation. This initiative will contribute to educating the next generation of scientists and professionals while strengthening the University’s international presence in the rapidly expanding field of the Blue Economy.”
The founder of Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd (DTM), Mr George Prokopiou, stated: “I would like to sincerely thank the Rector and Aristotle University for the tremendous honour of establishing this Chair in the Blue Economy. The Blue Economy is not limited to shipping alone. It also encompasses all the other professions and activities connected with the sea. The sea is a source of recreation, food, economic activity, and environmental value—it offers everything. The opportunities it provides are endless. Just as the ratio of land to sea is vast, so too are the jobs and opportunities that the sea creates. That is why I view the concept in broader terms. The honour is mine, but at the same time we must encourage students and young people, equipped with knowledge and skills, to spread their wings toward the sea—to the field in which Greeks have always excelled. Greece ranks first in the world in shipping, and that is where we must continue to focus our efforts. When a country leads globally, it must strive to maintain that leadership and ensure its continuity. I believe this initiative will make a significant contribution by opening another window of opportunity for young people to build rewarding careers and continue a maritime tradition that stretches back at least 4,000 years.”
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of, among others, the Vice Rector for International Relations, Outreach, Lifelong Learning, and Student Welfare, Professor Iakovos Michailidis; the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Professor Christos Fragkonikolopoulos; and the Chair of the School of Economics of Aristotle University, Professor Christina Moutsouki.