Continuing the long-standing cooperation between the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association - HELMEPA and the US Coast Guard, the annual meeting of the USCG leadership and members of the Association took place online (due to Covid-19 restrictions), on Wednesday 14 December 2022, maintaining an open dialogue and highlighting areas of mutual interest and concern. Specifically, Rear Admiral Wayne Arguin, USCG Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, addressed 65 representatives of HELMEPA member-managing companies covering all contemporary issues on foreign-flag vessels trading in the US, such as crew wellness and alternative fuels, control of ship discharges through the forthcoming Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA), ballast water management and biofouling, new technologies and cybersecurity, replying to all their questions.

The need for further education and training of seafarers for the green and digital transition, as well as the commitment of the Greek maritime community to cooperate in addressing common challenges through sharing of technical know-how, experience and best practices, were highlighted by the qualitative data of HELMEPA's 2022 Refresher Training Program. The program was implemented by the Maritime Training Center (186 hours of training) with the active participation of 160 shipping companies and organizations.

While the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are gradually making their way into the policy environment, the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss are increasingly becoming evident in the Mediterranean basin.

US sailors, marines and Embassy officials participated in a coastal cleanup activity in Elefsina on Friday 25 November 2022 coordinated by the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association – HELMEPA, the U.S. Embassy in Greece and the Elefsis Port Authority combining volunteerism with cultural and environmental awareness.

Extensive was the participation of members of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association - HELMEPA in the 40th annual General Assembly (Tuesday, 29 November 2022), during which the actions and the financial operation of the Association for the year 2021 were presented and unanimously approved.

Following, the election procedure for the new Board of Directors took place and the day after (Wednesday, 30^th November), the Board of Directors was composed, as follows: