4th CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference
Crewing 5.0: Bridging the Gap Between Digital Efficiency and Human Reliability
4th CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference
Crewing 5.0: Bridging the Gap Between Digital Efficiency and Human Reliability
25 JUNE 2026
About the Event
Following the resounding success of our previous conferences in Limassol, Athens, and Hamburg, the CSN Crewing Conference series returns to set a new industry benchmark. We are no longer just discussing “awareness”, we are addressing the collision of regulatory pressure, digital transformation, and complex logistics.
The 4th CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference will take place on 25 June 2026 at the Ble Pavilion in Athens.
The Narrative: High-Tech & High-Touch
This year, we bridge the gap between the Human Element and the Digital Future. The agenda is designed to answer the industry’s most pressing questions:
- The Logistics & Travel Challenge: Crew changes are more expensive and complex than ever. We will dissect the realities of Crew Travel, exploring how to manage rising flight costs, visa friction, and the “last mile” of deployment efficiently.
- The Regulatory Shield: With RightShip’s RISQ and the Crew Welfare Self-Assessment becoming commercial necessities, how do shipowners ensure they remain charter-ready?
- The Cost of Health: As P&I Crew Claims rise, we move beyond basic “wellness” to discuss strategic mental health interventions that protect both the seafarer and the bottom line.
- The AI Advantage: How is Artificial Intelligence transforming the sector? From predictive sourcing to automated logistics, we explore how AI supports, rather than replaces the human touch.
The conference is placed under the auspices of WISTA Hellas and supported by the Propeller Club, HELMEPA, WIMA, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, Port Captains Club, Hellenic Maritime Purchasing Club and AMMITEC.
Attendance is free of charge for all members of the supporting organisations. However, attendees are encouraged to contribute to the charity foundation supported by the conference, with the option to donate indicated during registration.
Join us in Athens to connect with industry pioneers, share knowledge, and contribute to a safer, more connected, and innovative maritime industry dedicated to empowering its most valuable asset, the seafarers.
Download the agenda
LIMITED SEATS
200
SPEAKERS
18
Starting the day
Registration and Welcome Coffee
TBA
Note from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
Welcome from the chairman of the conference
Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Welcome address: Championing Diversity, Inclusion, and the Role of Female Seafarers
Katerina Monogiou, Member of Parliament for Cyclades, New Democracy
Keynote Address: Regulatory Compliance and Human Reality: Safeguarding Seafarers in the Digital Transition
Douwe van der Meulen, Policy Advisor, Social Affairs and Maritime Security – ECSA
Session 1
The Logistics of Talent – Sourcing, Travel, and the AI Revolution
In an era of shrinking talent pools and volatile global markets, the “Logistics of Talent” has become a critical strategic pillar for shipowners. This session dives deep into the dual challenge of finding the right people and moving them across the globe efficiently, with a dedicated focus on the unique demands of crew sourcing and specialized training within the cruise industry. We will explore cutting-edge strategies for crew recruitment and retention, alongside a pragmatic look at the current crew travel landscape. Experts will discuss managing rising aviation costs, navigating visa friction, and mitigating travel risks. Furthermore, we examine how Artificial Intelligence is transforming these back-office burdens into competitive advantages through predictive scheduling and automated logistics, ensuring that digital efficiency serves the human operation.
During the panel discussion, we will dissect the logistical realities of crew changes, including managing rising flight costs, navigating visa complexities, and examining the specialized training pipelines and sourcing strategies required to sustain global cruise operations.
End of the Tradeoff: How AI Finally Bridges Crew Travel’s Oldest Divide
Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Sourcing and Training of Crew: The Cruise Industry Perspective
Chrysanthos Chrysanthou, VP Technical – Celestyal Cruises
Panel discussion:Technology in the Driver’s Seat: Rethinking the Last Mile of Crew Change
Moderator:
Toomas Koost, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Panelists:
– Dmitry Gladkov, Global Sales Director – EMA Marine
– Panos Anagnostopoulos, Business Development Executive – Marine Tours
– Sanja Markoc Jazavac, Director – Orca Crew Services Croatia
– Douwe van der Meulen, Policy Advisor, Social Affairs and Maritime Security – ECSA
– Chrysanthos Chrysanthou, VP Technical – Celestyal Cruises
Session 2
The Human Core – From Mental Health to High Performance and The AI Impact on the Human Element
This session returns to the heart of the industry: the seafarer. We move beyond the general rhetoric of “wellness” to address the concrete implementation of actionable mental health support systems onboard. The discussion explores the direct link between a robust welfare culture—balancing social connectivity with restorative rest and the measurable outcomes of safety and performance.
As maritime operations enter the era of Crewing 5.0, Artificial Intelligence is moving from the back office to the forefront of human resource management. Our speakers will examine how AI is now being utilised for the real-time assessment of crew competency and mental readiness, providing data-driven insights to improve safety.
We will address the vital challenge of ensuring that machine intelligence acts as a bridge for support rather than a barrier to social connectivity, ensuring technology empowers the crew rather than isolating them. By focusing on the “High-Touch” aspect of our theme, we will explore how a supportive onboard environment, augmented by intelligent tools, is not just a moral obligation, but a strategic imperative for a resilient and innovative maritime future.
Beyond Wellness: Engineering Actionable Mental Health Systems Onboard
Yiannis Michael, CEO & Founder – Repaint Your Life Holistic Mental Health Centres
Beyond Fit for Duty: The Future of Crew Health empowered by data and AI.
Dr. Laura Benzonana, Chief Operating Officer & Global Ambassador – Health4Crew
Coffee Break
Sponsored by Swiss Marine Inc.
Session 3
The Regulatory and Legal Landscape – Vetting, Welfare, and Liability
As regulatory pressure evolves into a commercial necessity, staying “charter-ready” requires a sophisticated understanding of new vetting frameworks. This session provides a deep dive into the practical implications of RightShip’s RISQ and the Crew Welfare Self-Assessment, offering clear guidance on how to navigate these requirements successfully. Beyond compliance, we shift our focus to the legal and financial realities of P&I Crew Claims. By analysing current trends in injury and illness claims, our speakers will outline proactive management techniques to mitigate liabilities and protect the bottom line, ensuring that legal safeguards and operational excellence go hand-in-hand.
During the panel discussion, we will explore the transition from general discussion to actionable support systems onboard, focusing on creating a culture that balances social connectivity with rest while directly linking welfare to safety and performance.
The Regulatory Shield – RightShip’s RISQ & Crew Welfare Self-Assessment
Martina Meinders, Managing Director – Marin Shipmanagement
The Cost of Health & P&I Crew Claims
Fotini Sifoniou, Crew Manager – Swiss Marine Inc.
Panel discussion: Mental Health, Crew Welfare, and Wellbeing
Moderator:
Capt. Iro Gidakou, Fleet Operations Manager, Maran Gas
Panelists:
– Capt. Vassilios Leoussis, Crew Manager – Oceangold Tankers
– Martina Meinders, Managing Director – Marin Shipmanagement
– Yiannis Michael, CEO & Founder – Repaint Your Life Holistic Mental Health Centres
– Dr. Laura Benzonana, Chief Operating Officer & Global Ambassador – Health4Crew
– Foteini Sifoniou, Crew Manager – SwissMarine Inc.
Who should attend
The conference will bring together various key industry stake-holders including but not limited to: ship owners, ship managers, airlines, traveling agencies, HR Recruitment agencies, Crewing companies and associated solution providers such as maritime technology providers, consultants and cross-cultural experts, etc.
Closing remarks from the chairman
Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Charity Ceremony
– Stella Violari, Editor – CSN
– Daniil Zoulovits, CEO – DALOMAR Shipping
– Rena Vegkou, President – ARGO Peramatos
Thank you from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
Lunch
Sponsored by EMA Marine
SPEAKERS
18
Managing Director - CSN
CEO & Co-founder - Crewpoint
Member of Parliament for Cyclades, New Democracy
Policy Advisor, Social Affairs and Maritime Security - ECSA
VP Technical - Celestyal Cruises
Chief Product Officer & Co-founder of Crewpoint
Crew Manager - Oceangold Tankers
Business Development Executive - Marine Tours
Director – Orca Crew Services Croatia
CEO & Founder - Repaint Your Life Holistic Mental Health Centres
Chief Operating Officer & Global Ambassador - Health4Crew
Managing Director - Marin Shipmanagement
Crew Manager - SwissMarine Inc.
Fleet Operations Manager, Maran Gas
Global Sales Director - EMA Marine
CEO - DALOMAR Shipping
President - Argo Peramatos
Media Gallery
Media Gallery
Note from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
Welcome from the chairman of the conference
Henrik Jensen, CEO – Danica Crewing Specialist
Welcome address, Stavros Avgoustides
Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens
“Championing Diversity and Inclusion”
Anna Pittalis, Commercial Director, Head of Shipping & Trading – Intergaz Ltd / President – WISTA Cyprus
“Crew Wellbeing and Emerging Global Connectivity Options”
Julien Ledoux, Account Manager for Content Services – KVH Media Group Communication Ltd
“Navigating the Future. Welfare, Skill development and digitalisation for seafarers”
Capt. George Papanelopoulos, Head of Vetting, Training & Development Dept. – Cyprus Sea Lines Co Ltd
Panel discussion: “What are the key challenges in implementing comprehensive crew welfare programs on board ships?”
Information about ASAP Athens
Konstantina Fanara, Account Manager – ASAP Athens
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director of CSN will conduct an On-Stage Spotlight Interview with Stylianos Psillakis, Technical Director at Columbia Group
“Safe, Skilled & Empowered: Redefining Crew Performance at Sea”
Chrysoula Vasiliki Patrikiou, Chief Business Officer – Pyli Net
“Steering Maritime Competence, Wellbeing, and Compliance: Assess, Train & Retain”
Aashish Puri, Chief Revenue Officer – MARITIME TRAINER
Panel discussion: “How can shipping companies balance the need for safety and compliance training with the importance of fostering a positive work culture and employee motivation?”
Closing remarks from the chairman
Henrik Jensen, CEO – Danica Crewing Specialist
Charity Ceremony
Stella Violari, Editor – CSN
Dr. Ioannis Patinionis – Founder of SHiPScraft method
LifeLine Hellas – Dr. Angeliki Margariti-Andrews
Thank you from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
Sponsors & Supporters
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSOR
WELCOME COFFEE SPONSOR
COFFEE BREAK SPONSOR
LUNCH SPONSOR
TRAVEL SPONSOR
COMMUNICATION PARTNER
COMMUNICATION PARTNER
CHARITY SPONSOR
CHARITY FOUNDATION
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER
Location
Ble Pavillon
70 Poseidonos Avenue, Alimos Athens Greece 17455
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