Cyprus hosts European PortAbility project partners to discuss maritime skills

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE), in collaboration with Frederick University and the MMC Management Centre, hosted partners of the European PortAbility project on October 6 and 7. The two-day educational visit aimed to address the evolving needs of the port and maritime sector, focusing on sustainability, decarbonization, digitalization, and innovation.

Participants, including public authorities, industry representatives, and academics, engaged in workshops and site visits, including tours of the Cyprus Ports Authority in Limassol, DP World, and Eurogate. Discussions centered on bridging the gap between industry requirements and vocational education and training (VET) systems. The initiative emphasized the importance of social inclusion and closer cooperation between businesses, public institutions, and educational bodies.

PortAbility is co-funded by the Erasmus+ program and involves 23 European partners. The project aims to develop training systems that prepare the workforce for future challenges in European port regions. This visit served as a platform for sharing best practices and assessing the current state and future prospects of the Cypriot maritime cluster as part of the broader European effort to modernize port operations.