ACS Athens proudly hosted the signing ceremony for the Blue Frontiers Program, an inspiring international partnership between Roger Williams University, the International Propeller Club Port of Piraeus, the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, and ACS Athens. This collaborative initiative establishes a strategic alliance dedicated to advancing maritime education and ocean stewardship for the next generation of leaders.
The program, centered on a commitment known as "Our Pledge," offers students a real-world summer exploration of the Earth’s oceans and the burgeoning global Blue economy. By combining academic rigor with scientific research and industry networking, the partners aim to inspire youth to protect and sustainably manage marine environments.
The event featured impactful remarks by ACS Athens President Dr. Peggy Pelonis and Mr. Costis Frangoulis, President of the International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus, whose vision and leadership continue to champion environmental stewardship and youth opportunity. The ceremony also welcomed Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Greek Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Ocean and Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection, who underscored the national and global importance of such initiatives.
A significant highlight of the partnership is the generous scholarship support provided by Mr. Frangoulis and the Propeller Club, which helps make this transformative experience accessible to students. Additional insights were shared during the ceremony by Ms. Carla Tanas, Dean of the Institute, and Ms. Beatriz Tintoré of the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, who both emphasized the vital intersection of research, sustainability, and experiential learning.
Through the Blue Frontiers summer program, students are challenged to embrace Conscious Global Citizenship—applying their skills, compassion, and learning to protect the oceans and improve life and living for future generations.
The official agreement was signed on May 13, 2026, at ACS Athens, marking a new chapter in international educational collaboration for the benefit of the global maritime community.
View items...
The Greek community in Ukraine "is in our thoughts, as it’s going through a trying time and is suffering the hardships of war," said Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in her message to diaspora Greeks ahead of Greek Independence Day on March 25.
Chelsea has come under the "gavel" after the departure of Roman Abramovich. The Russian businessman was at the center of harsh criticism in Britain when Vladimir Putin's troops invaded Ukraine, and decided to leave the "helm" of the Londoners.
The first woman CEO of a P&I Club in the 167 years since the founding of the first marine insurance organizations of this kind is Greek Cypriot Dorothea Ioannou.
Ms. Ioannou takes over as CEO of the Shipowners Claims Bureau, which manages the American Club, from August 1, 2022 and as mentioned in a relevant circular, the Board of Directors of the Organization is proud of the decision it made, which is a historical moment in this regard.
On August 1, 2022, Joe Hughes will resign as Chief Executive Officer of the American Club, after 27 years of service in this role and will be replaced by Dorothea Ioannou, currently Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
At the same time, the board of directors of the American P&I Club decided that Vince Solarino will resign from the position of Chief Operating Officer of SCB, after a similar period of service in this position and will be replaced by Dan Tadros, currently Chief Legal and Compliance SCB Officer. Arpad Kadi will continue to perform his current duties as Chief Financial Officer and Tom Hamilton will continue his role as Chief Underwriting Officer.
In a statement on social media, Dorothea Ioannou thanked everyone for the "flood of wishes and support" as well as the board and members of The American P&I Club, and the management company Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., headed by Joseph Hughes and Vincent Solarino for their loyalty to me, Daniel Tadros, Arpad Kadi, Tom Hamilton and the entire management team. We write history together. "
Dorothea Ioannou was born in New York. She hails from the village of Pera, in mountainous Nicosia in Cyprus. She completed her undergraduate studies in New York at the City University of New York - Queens College. Shee studied Political Science at City University and Law at St. John’s University School of Law.
She worked for a while as a lawyer in the USA. Then she came to Greece where she initially worked in a law firm in Athens in the field of European Law. She then worked in a law firm in Piraeus in the field of Maritime Law. In 1998 she started working with Allied Insurance Brokers Ltd. as Head of the Claims and Legal Department covering the full range of shipping issues.
In 2005 she became Claims Executive of Shipowners Claims Bureau Hellas Ltd. in Greece. In 2009, when The American Club opened its first offices in Greece, she became managing director and legal representative of this company. From 2020 she was Deputy Chief Operating Officer of the American P&I Club