On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, an evaluation day regarding the Smart Environmental Management of Ports and Surrounding Coastal Areas was held in Igoumenitsa by the Laboratory of Knowledge and Intelligent Computing of the Department of Informatics & Telecommunications of the University of Ioannina, in the framework of the project “ECOPORTIL-Environmental Protection of Areas Surrounding Ports using Innovative Learning Tools for Legislation”(www.ecoportil.eu), which is implemented through the Transnational Cooperation Program Balkan-Mediterranean 2014-2020. In compliance with the health restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, the event was broadcast live and those interested had the opportunity to participate without physical presence.
The event was honored by the presence of Mr. Athanasios Porphyris, CEO of the Igoumenitsa Port Authority, who welcomed the event and analyzed the holistic approach already applied by the Igoumenitsa Port Authority for the effective management of its energy-intensive, energy-intensive activities and social benefits, while additionally presenting the strategic expansion plan of Igoumenitsa Port Authority.
The Director of the Laboratory and scientifically responsible for the project, Prof. Chrysostomos Stylios, briefly presented the actions and results of the project, which includes partners from 4 countries: Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Albania, emphasizing the need to monitor and improve Ports’ and coastal areas’ quality, contributing to their sustainability through the application of modern methodologies and good practices in line with EU and national legislation and utilizing innovative Information and Communication Technology tools as a measure to prevent pollution and the possibility of utilizing Artificial Intelligence for the benefit of the Environment and Shipping.
Prof. Nikitas Nikitakos of the Department of Shipping & Business Services of the University of the Aegean, analyzed the idea of a port of zero pollutants and the creation of a smart grid based on the use of renewable energy sources, as well as technological developments that have led to the 4th Industrial Revolution in Shipping.
Emmanuel Nicolaides, Assoc. Professor of the Department of Shipping & Commerce of the University of Frederick in Cyprus, described the environmental assessment process, which was implemented through specially designed and specialized questionnaires, as well as the results and the contribution of ECOPORTIL to the environmentally sustainable port management. In addition, he presented the effectiveness of the free online asynchronous courses available through the e-learning platform, which was developed by the team of the Laboratory of Knowledge & Intelligent Computing.
For more information about the Project, those interested can contact the Laboratory of Knowledge and Intelligent Computing (contact@kic.uoi.gr and 2681050234).
