The maritime industry wishes to reach out to people who know little or nothing about the industry. It is largely a low profile industry with little known about it by the world at large both in terms of historic and contemporary knowledge, and also in terms of the vast and useful service it provides to every one of us. However when the industry does get coverage in the press, this tends to be in the wake of an accident or disaster, and is therefore for the wrong reasons and problems and disasters create a negative impression.

This lack of knowledge is perceived to create problems for the industry as a whole, making it difficult for it to take control of its destiny, to promote maritime heritage and to attract the dynamic young talent that it needs.

Our vision is Education. Education of the public and education within maritime circles to take the industry forward technologically and to protect and identify maritime heritage.

The aim of our Maritime Industry Knowledge Centre is ‘to enrich human knowledge and understanding of the vital roles of maritime industries and commercial shipping in the economic, social, political and cultural life of the global environment.’

Download English brochure

The Maritime Industry Knowledge Centre is a programme of communication through education. It is about increasing public awareness and understanding of the maritime industry and the vital role it plays in sustaining day-to-day life around the world. It is about what the maritime industry in all its forms can offer young people and about providing worldwide access to quality in-depth information to those who know little about the industry.

However, one of the challenges in realising these ambitions lies in the very nature of the industry. It is vast, global and fragmented, made up of a diverse range of segments with their associations, members and accompanying interests. The challenge is to unite all of these interests in one project which is neither political nor commercial and create a motivating, credible and appealing Maritime Industry Knowledge Centre in key languages with regional/national ‘chapters’ and outreach programmes with customised national resources.

The main target groups are:

• Politicians and regulators
• Mainstream media
• Students and young persons

There are seven industry leaders sitting on the Foundation Board:

• Demetrius C. Dragazis
• Philip A. Embiricos
• Roger Holt
• Per Wiggo Richardsen
• Nicolas Pappadakis
• Peter M. Swift
• Michele White

The Foundation is a membership organisation, funded and supported by subscriptions and donations from corporations, educators and individuals that are involved in all aspects of maritime transport.

Today the Foundation has 115 members – Corporate, Individual, Supporters, Educators and Seafarers category of membership.

We invite you to support our aims by joining the Foundation as a corporate, individual member or by giving a donation.

• Corporate: Annual Subscription minimum USD 1,000

• Individual: Annual subscription USD 250

• Educators: Annual subscription minimum USD 100

• Students: Free of charge during period of study

• Seafarer: Free of charge

• Supporters: Donation (optional amount)

List of members

How to join the Foundation

Membership Application Form

• US Contributors
  The Foundation is a member of the Charities Aid Foundation America (CAFAmerica). This enables US donors to support a non-US charity while still obtaining the maximum tax benefits allowed by federal law for their contribution.

  CAFAmerica Application Form

• UK Gift Aid
  If you pay income tax in the UK you can make your donation worth more by
  allowing the Foundation to reclaim the tax already paid.