V. Kikilias at the Inauguration of the Laconia Merchant Marine Academy: “We Must Equip the Younger Generation with the Tools for a Better Life”

“Politics is about serving our fellow citizens, meeting their needs, and ensuring that the next generation can enjoy a better life than the previous one,” Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias stressed in his speech at the inauguration of the Laconia Merchant Marine Academy, held this morning in Neapoli Voion.

The Minister described the Academy’s facilities as being of an exceptionally high standard and congratulated everyone who contributed to their development, from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy to the Municipality and the Region. “The Academy is worthy – both in terms of its facilities and its location – of what every parent would dream of for their children’s studies. We have here some of the future Merchant Marine captains. I wish you every success. I want you to know that the soul and heart of a school are its students. The success of this Academy will depend on whether we can fill it with young people,” he said.

Referring to the career prospects offered by Greek shipping, Mr. Kikilias stressed that a key priority for the Ministry is to persuade more young people to choose a career at sea, which offers significant opportunities for professional development and financial security.

“With great effort, hard work, enthusiasm and dedication, for the past two years at the Ministry, we have been striving to explain that the future in maritime professions is secure, as they offer a level of financial security that no other profession in Greece can provide today. The question is whether we can convince our children, starting here in the Peloponnese, that this Academy is truly worthwhile. That, in an era of inflation, economic crisis, energy crisis and the multiple challenges facing modern economies, they can pursue what they have dreamed of in life. They can take pride in their profession and earn an income that will allow them to buy a home, fall in love, get married and start a family, have many children. Simple, fundamental things. This, however, is what politics is all about: being able to serve your fellow citizens, meet their needs and ensure that the next generation of all of us from Laconia and Mani, since we are here in Laconia, can enjoy a better life than the previous one.

“That is what we fought for in the past. That is why we became merchants, if you remember, and turned our ports into commercial destinations. We spread our wings to the East and the West, and the wealth of every family increased, along with their aspirations and their ability to build a better tomorrow.”

The Minister went on to highlight the opportunities offered by a career at sea, including for young people whose families are unable to provide them with financial support, noting:

“If a young person’s parents have nothing to offer them apart from their love and support, which are extremely important, that young person can attend a Merchant Marine Academy and immediately enter the profession upon graduation, with the opportunity to pursue a career offering earnings that can reach as much as €17,000 per month. On bulk carriers, Ro-Ro vessels, LNG carriers, cruise ships and so on.

“Going to sea today is not what it used to be. Seafarers no longer have to spend two or two and a half years away, losing touch with their families and loved ones. Today, voyages typically last between four and six months. Satellite phones, internet access and modern facilities are available on board, ensuring that our highly skilled professionals – whether captains, engineers, electricians or cooks – feel that the demanding work they do is worthwhile and provides them with significant prospects for the future.”

He added: “After a decade or fifteen years at sea, these young people, these future captains, can become executives in shipping companies themselves, working ashore and training the next generation. This can provide them with another 20 to 25 years of professional career, offering a very promising future.”

Mr. Kikilias also referred to the importance of attracting new students to the Laconia Academy and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening the School with highly qualified teaching staff.

“This school, the Laconia Merchant Marine Academy here in Neapoli, is extremely important. That is why it must be filled with students, with new students constantly joining. This will be the Academy’s greatest asset. For our part, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy must ensure that it has highly qualified teaching staff, so that our children receive the best possible training and preparation.

“As the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, we are committed to ensuring that this Academy thrives with life and young people, through improvements to its facilities, staffing, educational framework, support and promotion.”

Concluding his speech and addressing the students, the Minister stated:

“You will graduate from this Academy and then very important career opportunities will await you, allowing you to honour and bring glory to your homeland. This land may have suffered and gone through difficult times, but it has been shaped by the struggles, determination and hard work of many generations. Generations of people who have lived with dignity and honour, proud people who have never bowed their heads.”

It is noted that 52 cadet deck officers are currently studying at the Laconia Merchant Marine Academy. As part of efforts to strengthen public maritime education, 60 permanent teaching positions are to be announced, four of which will be allocated to the Laconia Academy.

The Academy is housed in a building covering approximately 1,370 square metres, which was renovated and refurbished by the Municipality of Monemvasia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, with €1.24 million in funding from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

In addition, through the Peloponnese Regional Programme 2021–2027, €1.65 million in funding has been allocated for the procurement of modern technical and educational equipment, including simulators, training laboratories and distance-learning equipment, with the aim of enhancing the education of future Merchant Marine officers.

During the ceremony, addresses were also delivered by His Eminence Efstathios, Metropolitan of Monemvasia and Sparta; the Commandant of the Laconia Merchant Marine Academy, Lieutenant Commander of the Hellenic Coast Guard Christos Roumanes; the Mayor of Monemvasia, Heraklis Tricheilis; the President of the Panhellenic Association of Merchant Marine Captains, Panagiotis Gigis; the Regional Governor of Peloponnese, Dimitris Ptochos; and the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Athanasios Davakis.

Also attending the event were the Members of Parliament for Laconia, Neoklis Kritikos (New Democracy) and Nagia Grigorakou (PASOK – Movement for Change).