T.E.E.N.S. Merchant Marine Academy Inaugurates its New Engine Room & Ship Safety Laboratory in Cooperation with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

On Saturday, 12 September 2026, T.E.E.N.S. marked the opening of the 2026-2027 Academic Year with the traditional blessing ceremony and the inauguration by Her Excellency, U.S. Ambassador to Greece,  of its new Engine Room & Ship Safety Laboratory at the premises of the T.E.E.N.S. Model Vocational Nautical High School and Tsakos Merchant Marine Academy in Chios.

The new Laboratory marks another milestone in the longstanding contribution of the “Maria Tsakos” Public Benefit Foundation – International Centre for Maritime Research and Tradition to the education and development of the next generation of seafarers, through an educational approach that combines knowledge, practical training and latest technology with the evolving demands of modern shipping.

Equipped with advanced 3D and Virtual Reality (VR) systems, the Laboratory brings training as close as possible to real conditions onboard. Within a state-of-the-art simulation environment, students receive hands-on training in demanding engine-room operations and ship-safety scenarios, and learn to make critical decisions, strengthening their technical competence, operational readiness and, above all, the safety culture modern shipping demands.

The event was honoured by the presence of the Founders of the “Maria Tsakos” Public Benefit Foundation and the T.E.E.N.S. educational institutions, Captain Panayiotis N. Tsakos and Dr Nikolas P. Tsakos, as well as, Mrs Celia Kritharioti-Tsakos.

Among the distinguished speakers and guests were Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. Ambassador to Greece; Adonis Georgiadis, Minister of Health; Panayiotis Pikrammenos, former Prime Minister of Greece; Ambassador George Koumoutsakos, Permanent Representative of Greece to UNESCO; Fotis Mangos, Secretary General for the Aegean and Island Policy at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy; George Anomeritis, Vice Chairman of the “Maria Tsakos” Public Benefit Foundation; Ioannis Malafis, Mayor of Chios; John McDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS); and Francesco Gargiulo, Chief Executive Officer of the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC). The ceremony was also attended by representatives of local authorities, prominent members of the Greek and international shipping community, parents and families of students, and members of the wider Chios community.

Special acknowledgement was given to ABS and IMEC for their invaluable contribution to the development and implementation of the new Laboratory, and to Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle for her instrumental support in bringing the collaboration with ABS to life.

In her address, the U.S. Ambassador highlighted the importance of investing in safety and in the people of shipping, noting that safer ships mean safer seafarers, safer seafarers lead to stronger trade, and stronger trade benefits Greece, the United States and the world.

Dr Nikolas P. Tsakos highlighted the vital role of shipping in the global economy and the importance of continued investment in seafarers, while also pointing to the imminent exchange of Greek and U.S. merchant marine cadets. Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis stressed the need to strengthen the presence of Greek seafarers onboard Greek-owned vessels by developing a new generation of highly trained professionals who will carry forward Greece’s longstanding leadership in global shipping.

A special moment of the event was a video message from New York by Panayiotis N. Tsakos, grandson of Captain Panayiotis N. Tsakos. Reflecting on the rapid advances in technology and Artificial Intelligence, he emphasized that, however profoundly shipping may evolve, people will remain at the heart of progress – through their knowledge, judgement and ability to use technology wisely and effectively. Addressing the young cadets as a member of their own generation and a student himself, he encouraged them to remain curious, embrace continuous learning and always strive to become the best version of themselves.

T.E.E.N.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the first private, non-profit Merchant Marine Academy, operates in Chios under the accreditation of the Shipping Deputy Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus, further strengthening the island’s position as an internationally oriented hub for maritime education and training.

During the event, awards were presented to the top-performing students of the T.E.E.N.S. Nautical Lyceum in the June 2026 Panhellenic Examinations and to Academy cadets who distinguished themselves during the 2025-2026 Academic Year. The Technical Department of the Tsakos Group of Companies was also honoured for its contribution to the implementation of the new Laboratory.

Today, more than 280 young men and women are enrolled across the T.E.E.N.S. educational institutions in Chios – 187 cadets at the Merchant Marine Academy and 96 students at the Model Vocational Nautical High School – with education at the High School provided entirely free of charge and the Academy offering a comprehensive scholarship programme, broadening access to high-quality maritime education and professional training. At the same time, 200 young men and women have already graduated since the establishment of T.E.E.N.S., with the majority pursuing careers at sea and across the wider maritime sector – results that fill us with optimism and encourage us to continue this strategic vision with the same firm commitment.

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