The “Maria Tsakos” Foundation-International Center of Maritime Research and Tradition and DNV GL have embarked on a joint venture to cooperate on the maritime transportation domain, with particular emphasis on maritime education, research and environmental protection.

A signing ceremony to commemorate the agreement between the two partners was held at the Foundation’s headquarters in Chios on 27 September 2014. DNV C.E.O. of Maritime Tor Svensen, and “Maria Tsakos” Foundation Chairman and IMO Secretary- General Emeritus Efthymios Mitropoulos signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of their respective organizations. They were joined by a number of distinguished guests, including Captain Panagiotis Tsakos, founder of the Foundation, the President and C.E.O. of the DNV GL Group Mr. Henrik O. Madsen, the Ambassador of Norway in Greece, H.E. Sjur Larsen, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Greece, H.E. Gil Sou Shin, the DNV GL Regional Manager of Eastern Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas, Mr. Nikolaos Boussounis and the DNV GL Manager for Greece and Cyprus, Mr. Andreas Pagalos, Professor E. Thanopoulou, students of the Aegean University, Mr Manolis Koukoulis Director of “Maria’s House” boarding school with boarders and Tsakos Group Seafarers.

The Chios-based “Maria Tsakos” Foundation – International Center of Maritime Research and Tradition, was founded in 2008 by the family of Captain Panagiotis N. Tsakos. Since its establishment, the Foundation has grown to become one of the leading maritime NGOs in Greece relentlessly working to support the maritime industry and seafarers.

DNV GL, a leading classification society, form one of the world’s leading ship and offshore classification society, the leading technical advisor to the global oil and gas industry, and a leading expert for the energy value chain including renewables and energy efficiency.

As a result of the MoU signing, the two Parties will share complementary mission elements in a wide range of mutual interest areas, with key overlapping elements including, but not limited to, maritime research, safety at sea, seafarers’ welfare and the protection and preservation of the environment – both marine and atmospheric.

Captain P. Tsakos warmly welcomed the DNV GL delegation to the meeting, stressing that the signing of the MoU honours the Foundation and expressing the wish for a long co-operation to the benefit of shipping and the wide objectives the two partners aim to achieve.

Speaking on the occasion, DNV GL Group’s President and C.E.O. Mr. Madsen highlighted: “It is a great honour for us to work together with the “Maria Tsakos” Foundation to promote safer shipping and better conditions for seafarers and the environment.”

This sentiment was echoed by Chairman Efthymios Mitropoulos, who thanked DNV GL for its contribution to safety and environmental protection and stressed that he was looking forward to working closely with it to mutual benefit.

For more information please contact:

The “Maria Tsakos” Foundation–
International Center of Maritime Research and Tradition
Tel: +30-22710-82777/ 210-9498715
Email: fmtchios@tsakoshellas.gr

DNV GL – Greece Office

Tel: +30 210-4100200
Fax: +30 210-4223059
Email: pirmar@dnvgl.com

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