Christos Stylianides has been Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of the Hellenic Republic since September 13, 2023. On June 25, 2023 he was elected Member of the Greek Parliament with the New Democracy Party.

From September 2021 to May 2023 he served as the first Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of Greece.

Between 2014 and 2019 he served as European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management. During the same period he was EU Ebola Coordinator after his appointment by the European Council. He is considered the "architect" of rescEU, the bold initiative that upgraded significantly the European civil protection system.

In 2014 Christos Stylianides was also elected Member of the European Parliament (Democratic Rally Party of Cyprus/European People's Party). In two different periods he served as Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus (2013-2014 and 1998-1999). During the period 2006-2013 he was a Member of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus (elected in 2006 and 2011 with DISY) with a strong parliamentary record. From 2006 to 2011 he was also a member of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and was elected a Member of its Bureau in 2012.

He has been Visiting Professor at the Department of Health Policy at the London School of Economics (LSE) in Great Britain, Visiting Professor in Practice at the Medical School of the University of Nicosia-Cyprus and at the Ruhr Universität Research School of Germany.

In May 2021, he was appointed EU Special Envoy for Freedom or Religion or Belief (FoRB).

In recognition of his work, Christos Stylianides received important honorary awards from governments and international organizations and institutions. Among other, he received the Golden Decoration of Honour by the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Honorary Award of Civil Protection of the Land of Baden-Wurttemberg (Germany) for his contribution to the upgrading of the European civil protection system. He was also named "Global Champion for Education in Emergencies" by the international organization Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and "Political Champion for Education in Emergencies" by the Malala Foundation. For his humanitarian action and contribution to coexistence and reconciliation he was awarded the "Peace and Reconciliation Prize" of the historic city of Guernica, Spain.

Maja held various positions in the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs between 1996 and 2016. Based in Brussels from 1999 until 2011, she was responsible for horizontal Coordination of the Croatian accession negotiations. In 2011, she moved back to Zagreb and was responsible for setting up and management of the system of national coordination of European  Affairs. In 2015 she became Assistant Minister for Europe in the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

On 1 December 2016, she became Deputy Director-General in the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, Responsible for coordinating the activities related to investment, innovative and sustainable transport, in support of the Commission President’s priorities.

Roger has been part of Wärtsilä for over 25 years, bringing passion and engagement into numerous top management positions within Services and Marine Business – from Business Development, Seals and Bearings to Engines business. He holds an MSc in Economics from Hanken School of Economics where he also has served on the Board of Directors since 2018.

In recent years, the maritime sector has awoken to the pressing need to make critical sustainability improvements and rethink its activities by embracing technology and digitalisation. Wärtsilä has embraced the call for sustainability and has promoted change through active collaboration in the ecosystem and investments in new technology. Roger is dedicated to the role Wärtsilä’s global Marine business will play in leading the industry towards decarbonisation.

Mr. Roel Hoenders is Head of Climate Action and Clean Air in the Marine Environment Division of the IMO Secretariat. In that capacity he oversees IMO’s regulatory agenda on the decarbonization of maritime transport and the reduction of air pollution from ships. Prior to that role, Roel worked in the IMO Secretariat as technical officer supporting Governments with ratification and implementation of IMO’s environmental instruments.

Roel holds a law degree, with specializations in international environmental and maritime law, complemented by postgraduate studies in environmental sciences and business sustainability.

Before joining the IMO Secretariat, Mr. Hoenders worked as legal and policy officer on defining EU renewable energy and clean air policies in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment and on promoting sustainable shipping in the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

In earlier functions, Roel managed sustainable transport infrastructure projects in the MENA region at the European Commission’s Development Cooperation Directorate and advised on ESG and government relations at the European Sea Ports Organization (ESPO) and DHL Netherlands.

Guy Platten was appointed Secretary General of ICS in August 2018.

He has extensive experience in the maritime industry both at sea and ashore and is a qualified Master Mariner. He has held a number of senior positions including Chief Executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping, Chief Executive of Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, and Director of Marine Operations for the Northern Lighthouse Board.

Guy’s career at sea began in 1982 with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service. He joined the RNLI in 1993 as an Inspector of Lifeboats, latterly as Inspector for Scotland training and overseeing lifeboat crews around the coast and following this he served with the MOD as a Salvage Officer and led or contributed to a number of projects including the removal of oil from a sunken World War 2 battleship, recovery of ditched aircraft and the refloating of a grounded warship.

Minas Papadakis is the CEO of the Port of Heraklion since January 2020. Minas joined the port after a long career in the financial sector and has held various executive positions at EFG Eurobank Equities, were he served as head of private clients amongst others. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors for Minoan Lines and A.Papadakis-Technometal. Under his stewardship, Heraklion Port has witnessed a transformation, enhancing its infrastructure, boosting efficiency, and expanding its role in the global supply chain. He is a strong advocate for incorporating technology and digitalization in port operations, ensuring that Heraklion remains competitive in an increasingly digital world.

Known for his collaborative approach, he has forged strong relationships with stakeholders, including shipping companies, local businesses, and government agencies. His commitment to sustainability has led to numerous green initiatives aimed at reducing the port's carbon footprint and preserving the marine environment.

Minas holds an MBA from the Management School of Imperial College, London University and a degree in chemical engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He has taught Project Management and Financial Management at the Technical Chamber of Greece, North College and the Hellenic Management Association.

President of the Port System Authority of the North Central Tyrrhenian Sea (ports of Civitavecchia, Fiumicino, and Gaeta) since December 2020.

Since February 2023, President of MEDPorts, the association representing European, North African, and Middle Eastern Mediterranean ports.

Previously served as President of the Port Authority of the Northern Adriatic Sea (Venice and Chioggia) from 2016 and later as Special Commissioner until December 2020.

Holds over a decade of experience in international shipping, having worked extensively in Antwerp and Singapore, both in private consultancy firms and in-house for shipping companies.

Born in Venice, graduated in Law from the University of Bologna with a specialization in Maritime Law. Completed a Master degree LLM in International Commercial and Maritime Law at the University of Wales (Swansea), followed by a Certificate in International Politics at St. Antony College, Oxford, and a Certificate in Business Sustainability Management at Cambridge.

Currently, he is also Adjunct professor in Sustainable Economics at the University of Tuscia and a lecturer in Maritime Law at the University of Bologna.

Dimitris Politis, Executive member of the Board and CEO at HRADF, is highly experienced in attracting and managing investments in strategic sectors of the economy and has close professional relationships with international institutional and private investors. He has held positions of responsibility at several international financial organizations in Greece and abroad.

Emanuele Grimaldi was born in Naples (Italy) in 1956.

After finishing at the “Nunziatella” military high school, he studied at Naples Federico II University and obtained a Degree in Economics and Commerce summa cum laude in December 1980. He is married with two sons and a daughter.

Immediately after graduating, he started working at the Grimaldi Group, founded by his father Guido and uncles in the late 40’s. During his career, he has held various executive positions, both in Italy and abroad and in different business sectors.

Within the Group’s structure, Emanuele Grimaldi has gradually taken charge of the Euro-Mediterranean short sea services and Motorways of the Sea network, thus contributing significantly to their remarkable development over the last 20 years.

Today the Grimaldi Group comprises six main shipping companies. Together they own over 130 vessels with an order book of 30 more. The fleet – consisting of Ro/Ro, PCTC, multipurpose and Con-Ro vessels as well as passenger ferries – is the core of a vertically integrated logistics chain which also includes port terminals, transport companies and subsidiary branches in more than 25 countries.

Within the framework of trade associations, Emanuele Grimaldi’s commitment to the development, sustainability and safety of shipping has been remarkable. By way of example, he made major contributions to State-Aid guidelines, the introduction of the Port State, double hulls for tankers, the black box and the creation of the European Maritime Safety Agency.

During his career he has won a number of awards assigned by trade associations, the media and customers. In 2018 he was made a Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland for his valuable contribution to the Finnish maritime industry.

Emanuele Grimaldi is currently Chairman of ICS (International Chamber of Shipping). In addition, he is Past President of the ECSA (European Community Shipowners’ Associations), Board Member and Past President of Confitarma (Italian Shipowners’ Association), Vice President of the Malta International Shipping Council, Board Member of Interferry Inc., and Board Member of Rina SpA.

With regard to his Group functions, he is President & Managing Director of Grimaldi Euromed SpA, Managing Director of Grimaldi Group SpA, Board Member of Grimaldi Deepsea SpA, Chairman of Finnlines Plc, President of Minoan Lines S.A., President of Trasmed GLE S.L., President of Malta Motorways of the Sea Ltd and Board Member of Atlantic Container Line A.B.

George Xiradakis was born in Athens and grew up in Volos. He graduated from the Nautical Marine Academy of Aspropyrgos-Athens and he holds a diploma in Commercial Operations from City of London Polytechnic and an MSc in Maritime Studies from University of Wales. He served as Senior Manager in the French bank Credit Lyonnais both in Athens and Paris. In 1999 he founded XRTC Business Consultants which acts as a commercial representative of foreign banks and institutions in Greek Shipping Market. Since 2009 XRTC acting as Advisor to Chinese Finance market and in 2010 awarded in Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards as “Financier of the Year 2010” for the completion of the first bilateral loan between a Chinese bank and a Greek shipowner which was signed in the presence of both countries Premiers.

Mr. Xiradakis is President of the Association of Banking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping, Vice President of China Hellenic Chamber (HCCI). He is President Emeritus of International Propeller Club-Port of Piraeus, Honorary Member and Special Maritime Advisor of the BOD of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce & Industry, BOD member of Piraeus Marine Club, Member of the Mediterranean Committee of China Classification Society, Member of the Greece-China Association, Member of the Hellenic Maritime Museum and Hellas Liberty Floating Museum. In May 2019 he participated in the European Parliament elections. He is married with two children.

Andrea Annunziata is a lawyer and an expert in logistics and transport economics.

In the 2001 Italian political elections he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in Campania.

In the Prodi II Government he held the role of Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport.

From 2006 to 2008 he was President of the National Council of Transport and Logistics.

From 2008 to 2016 he was President of the Port Authority of Salerno.

From 2009 to 2014 he was President of the Med Port Community.

From 2017 to 2021 he was President of the Port Network Authority of Eastern Sicily (Ports of Augusta and Catania)

Since February 2021 he has been President of the Port Network Authority of the Central Tyrrhenian Sea (Ports of Napoli, Salerno and Castellammare di Stabia).

Dario Bocchetti (45,mechanical engineer) is currently Head of Grimaldi Group Corporate “Energy Saving, R&D and Ship Design Division” which has the function and task related to Energy, Performance, R&D, Innovation, Decarbonization Compliance and Design of New Ships.

He is president of Energy Saving and Environment ALIS sub-committee, member of the executive committee of CSA (Clean Shipping Alliance), member of the board of MARTE Scarl, member of ESSF (European Sustainable Shipping Forum), technical advisor of the Maltese delegation at IMO MEPC (Maritime Environmental Protection Committee), member of the executive committee GIA (Global Industry Alliance) at IMO (Intenational Maritime Association), member of the Board of IPA (Igoumeinitsa Port Authority).

Paolo Cuculi (Rome, 1st of June 1967), Ambassador of Italy in Athens. After graduating with a master's degree in political science at ‘LUISS’ University in Rome, he entered the Italian Diplomatic Service in March 1992. He served in the Italian Embassies in Khartoum (1994) and Bangkok (1997) before taking on several positions in the multilateral field, serving first in Italy’s UN Mission in Geneva (2000), then from 2002 in the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (dealing with disarmament) and again in the Permanent Representations to the UN in New York (2006) and Geneva (2010), dealing this time with human rights. In 2015 he returned to Rome, where in 2016 he was appointed Director for Development Cooperation Initiatives. From 2019 he served as Ambassador of Italy to South Africa and in November 2023 he began his term in Greece.

Having been elected to Parliament in 2022, Chris Bonett currently occupies the role of Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public works after almost two years serving as Parliamentary Secretary for EU funds. In that period, he was responsible for the launch of the EU Funds Operational Programmes for the years 2021-2027.

Prior to his role in politics, he was a consultant to the parliamentary secretariat for Youth, Sports and Voluntary Organizations following a two-year stint at UEFA where he assumed the responsibility of Integrity Officer and was a member of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Board. This reflects his expertise as a lawyer specializing in sporting matters.

Ugo Salerno serves as Executive Chairman of RINA S.p.A. since December 2023, following a long tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the same company from 2002 to 2023. Between 2012 and 2023, he also held the position of Chairman at RINA S.p.A.

Born in Naples in 1953, Salerno graduated with honors in naval engineering and mechanics from the University of Naples. He began his career at Italcantieri, a shipyard company based in Genoa Sestri Ponente, before moving, three years after, to Fermar in Ravenna, a shipowning company specializing in dry bulk transport, where he initially served as Technical Inspector and later as Technical Director. In 1988, he joined Bulkitalia in Genoa, a subsidiary of the Coeclerici Group, as Fleet Operating Director. Over his fourteen years with the Coeclerici Group, Salerno held various managerial positions, culminating in his appointment as Managing Director of Coeclerici Shipping, Coeclerici Logistics, and Vice President of Coeclerici Trading in 1996.

Salerno has held several significant board appointments. He was a member of the board of the Standard P&I Club and served as Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) from July 2003 to June 2004. From 2008 to 2019, he was a board member of ITIC P&I Club (International Trasport Intermediaries Club Limited), and from 2009 to March 2014, he served as an Independent Board Member of VSL.

He has been Director of the Ansaldo Foundation and, since 2013, he has been Director of the Galliera hospital in Genoa. Additionally, Salerno was part of the Executive Council of Confindustria Genova from 2013 to 2017, responsible for infrastructure matters. His involvement in various organizations includes membership in TIC Council’s Global Board (formerly IFIA, International Federation of Inspection Agencies), from 2013 to 2023, and he has served on the board of Ucina - Gruppo Imprese di Servizi per il Diporto from June 2014 to March 2015.

Salerno has been a member of Confindustria Nazionale since May 2015 and was a board member of Cassa di Risparmio della Spezia S.p.A. from 2016 to 2019. He has chaired Promostudi La Spezia, a foundation for the promotion of university studies, since May 2018, and since October 2019, he has chaired the Ligurian Group of Cavalieri del Lavoro. Furthermore, Salerno serves on the Advisory Board of RCS Academy.

In recognition of his professional achievements, Ugo Salerno was appointed Cavaliere del Lavoro by the President of the Italian Republic in June 2013.

Most recently, in July 2024, Ugo Salerno was appointed Chairman of the UniCredit North-West Territorial Advisory Board and became a member of the Italy Advisory Board. During the same period, he also accepted a position as an advisor to the Liguria Committee of the AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research.