A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among the Elefsis Port Authority, the University of Piraeus and the Hellenic Institute of Transport of the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, aimed to connect the Academic and Research Community with the authorities of the Shipping and Port Industry, with emphasis on the Port of Elefsina, where a remarkable opportunity opens for academic and research initiatives, that can be applied to assist the activities of the port and the challenges it faces.

The MoU was co-signed on 5th of June 2022, the World Environment Day, by the CEO of Elefsis Port Authority Mr. Apostolos Kamarinakis, the Rector of the University of Piraeus Prof. Angelos Kotios and the Director of HIT Dr. Evangelos Bekiaris, within the framework of the event that took place in the central building of the Port of Elefsina.

The event was honored by the presence of the Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament and Member of Parliament Attica B Constituency (West) Mr. Athanasios Bouras, who in his opening speech praised the three entities for their initiative, emphasizing the work of the Elefsis Port Authority administration that pioneers and innovates.

In her speech, the Director of the Laboratory of Quantitative Analysis in Shipping of the Department of Maritime Studies of the University of Piraeus Prof. Maria Boile, referred to the advanced technological equipment of the Laboratory of Quantitative Analysis, exclusive in Greece, which will be used in the Port of Elefsina. She emphasized the special symbolism of signing of the MoU on the World Environment Day, and spoke about the "Sea Days" event in Piraeus and the leading International Shipping Exhibition "Posidonia 2022".

Mr. Evangelos Liggos, Chairman ofthe Centre of Elefsina – West Attica Labor Unions, also addressed a greeting, emphasizing that the Port of Elefsina is part of society and that the Elefsis Port Authority has innovative proposals and develops important collaborations, honors the World Environment Day. 

The representative of Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of the Shipping Agents of Piraeus and member of the Board of Directors of Elefsis Port Authority Mr. N. Filippis, as well as the Vice President of Wista Hellas Mrs. E. Kassotaki also addressed their greetings.

The event was attended, among others, by the former Chairman of the BoD of the Thessaloniki Port Authority & Professor of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus Prof. Sotirios Theofanis, as well as the professors of University of Piraeus Dr. Elpida Alexiadou-Kotiou, Prof. Dimitris Apostolou, Dr. Alexandra Chytiri, the HIT/CERTH Senior Researcher Dr. Aphrodite Anagnostopoulou, as well as executives of Elefsis Port Authority.

The guests were welcomed by the CEO of Elefsis Port Authority Mr. Apostolos Kamarinakis, who spoke about the importance of signing the MoU that connects the Port of Elefsina with Institutions, namely the University of Piraeus, emphasizing that research should be linked to entrepreneurship and mainly with ports which play an important role in the development of the national economy.

In his speech, the Rectorof the University of Piraeus, Prof. Angelos Kotios, referred to the joint effort of the University of Piraeus and the Elefsis Port Authority to protect the marine environment, for which the advanced technological equipment recently acquired by the University of Piraeus will be utilized.

From the side of HIT/CERTH, Dr. Evangelos Bekiaris referred to the collaboration of HIT with the University of Piraeus and the joint development of innovative marine environment research programs.

The event ended with the presentation of the unique in Greece robotic technological equipment owned by the Laboratory of Quantitative Analysis in Shipping of the Department of Maritime Studies of the University of Piraeus, which includes:

• An autonomous vessel (WAM-V 16 ASV) used in marine surveys and maritimesecurity.
• An autonomous quadcopter drone system (MATRICE 300 RTK) that will effectively contribute to the prevention of marine pollution incidents in the Gulf of Elefsina as well as to timely and faster response to those accidents.
• A remote underwater inspection robot (Guardian Mini-ROV) with high-definition video cameras, which will be used for accurate measurement in the Port of Elefsina to ensure the safe approach of ships, in order to better serve the cargo. In addition, the equipment can be used for a more complete record of the condition of the shipwrecks in the Gulf of Elefsina.
• A full mission simulator and an autonomous Ro-Ro simulator s based on virtual reality which will modernize the commercial port services in the processes of loading and unloading cargo and at the same time will be utilized by the the Centre of Elefsina – West Attica Labor Unions in the provision of specialized training in lifting and loading functions.

The state-of-the-art equipment will be used for research activities related to the operations of the port of Elefsina aimed to contribute to the documentation and adoption of environmentally good practices.