Coordinated by HELMEPA, METAVASEA is a five-year initiative bringing together maritime stakeholders across the region, including EurOcean member the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, to support a people-centred approach to maritime decarbonisation.

The second wave of the METAVASEA survey reveals growing alignment with maritime climate targets across the Eastern Mediterranean, while highlighting persistent challenges in implementation capacity, seafarer training and port infrastructure.

Released by the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association on World Maritime Day 2026, the survey gathered 1,182 responses from five stakeholder groups. Combined with Wave 1, the dataset now includes 2,080 responses.

While 22% of shipping company respondents reported a net-zero strategy aligned with the IMO’s 2050 target, financial constraints and limited implementation capabilities remain significant barriers. Meanwhile, 55% of seafarers reported receiving no decarbonisation-related training in the previous two years, and crew fatigue remained their leading safety concern.

The findings underline the importance of strengthening workforce readiness, infrastructure and stakeholder engagement to turn climate ambitions into action.

Read more: here.