Project Kick off and Stakeholders Conference
As the coordinator for the GREENPORT Alliances project, Piri Reis University hosted the nine project partners from seven countries on February 28-29 2024. The kick off meeting which was held on the first day of the two days, covered the whole consortium meeting and discussed the work plan and the way forward for the duration of the project.Β
The Stakeholders Conference marked the projectβs first milestone, and witnessed engagement from key stakeholders spanning the maritime industry and educational institutions alike. During the conference, each project partner presented their roles and responsibilities within the project, and the commitments that would be undertaken over the course of the 36 months of the project. . Representatives from the Turkish maritime sector such as Sanmar Shipyards, the Turkish Shipbuildersβ Association (GISBIR), Yanmar Holding, Sakura Marine, Kilyos Shipping, Kamer Marine, GDS Engineering, CSS Turkey, NAVTEK, GΓΌbretaΕ Port, GISAΕ Port, and the Turkish Pilots Association actively participated in the conference. Insights into innovative strategies for reducing carbon emissions within the sector were shared through presentations delivered by representatives from Turkon Line and GISAΕ.
Project Update: Diving Deeper into Sustainable Shipping
Activities outlined in βTask 3.2 – Scientific Analysisβ commenced in November 2024 (M10). These activities will span a total period of six months, concluding in April 2025. This task plays a pivotal role within the project as it focuses on developing alternative analyses and identifying case studies to demonstrate how the application of different operational methodologies can significantly impact harmful gas emissions. The planned activities are divided into three main phases, each characterized by specific objectives and a targeted operational approach.
The first phase, referred to as desk analysis, will take place between November 2024 and January 2025. This phase will involve the preliminary collection of relevant data and the structuring of case studies. Based on the review of available documents and sources, it represents the starting point for developing alternative operational scenarios. Subsequently, during the second phase, from February to mid-March 2025, the development of case studies will proceed. This activity will incorporate innovative analytical approaches, including targeted interviews with industry experts, to delve deeper into the identified methodologies. Finally, the third phase, from mid-March to April 2025,
will focus on integrating lessons learned. The goal will be to translate the outcomes from the previous phases into practical and concrete recommendations for designing specific training curricula.
The activities of Task 3.2 build upon the results of βTask 3.1 Cross-sectoral identification of best practicesβ, which identified 13 practices classified into three main clusters. Cluster 1, focused on emission reduction, addresses strategic aspects related to environmental sustainability. Cluster 2 emphasizes operational efficiency improvements, prioritizing technical and managerial aspects. Cluster 3 centers on engagement and professional development, highlighting educational and training dimensions.
These practices were selected through an in-depth analysis of scientific articles, institutional documents, and questionnaires, involving partners and industry operators such as pilots and tugboats. Specifically, the questionnaire survey generated 35 useful responses, which led to the addition of 4 new practices to the initial list, while retaining the original cluster classification.
An additional phase of work resulted in the ranking of 12 Best Practices, evaluated using 10 distinct parameters divided across five perspectives: environmental, economic, social, technical, and institutional. This multidimensional evaluation provided a solid foundation for designing training curricula, which will be further enriched by the outcomes of Task 3.2.
Task 3.2 represents a crucial milestone in the overall project trajectory, as it lays the groundwork for the subsequent Task 3.3, which will culminate in the preparation of an internal document containing targeted recommendations for training development. The integrated approach adopted in Work Package 3 stands out for its ability to ensure a systemic and multidimensional vision, actively involving experts and stakeholders. This method optimizes project outcomes and promotes an operational model oriented toward the sustainability of port operations.