LJMU and Laskaridis Shipping sign MoU to drive maritime innovation and sustainability

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Laskaridis Shipping Company Ltd., a leader in the global shipping industry, to establish a collaborative partnership aimed at advancing technological innovation and sustainability in the maritime sector.

This strategic partnership combines LJMU's academic excellence with Laskaridis Shipping's industry expertise to address pressing challenges in shipping. The collaboration will explore cutting-edge projects, including data-driven innovation, experimental research, and proposals for external funding to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability within the industry.

Dr Eddie Blanco-Davis, Reader in Marine Engineering in the School of Engineering, leading the initiative on behalf of LJMU, said: “This partnership embodies our shared commitment to driving progress and sustainability in maritime operations. By uniting academic rigour with industry know-how, we aim to produce solutions that not only advance technology but also contribute to achieving global environmental goals.”
Georgios Christopoulos, Chief Operating Officer of Laskaridis Shipping further stated: "Partnering with LJMU opens new pathways for innovation. Together, we can leverage data, research, and experimental methods to address industry challenges and shape a sustainable future."

Key aspects of the partnership include:

• Innovative research - joint exploration of experimental methods and data analytics to produce actionable insights and develop simulation tools benefiting both academic and practical applications
• Sustainability goals - collaborative efforts to integrate technology that enhances the environmental performance of maritime operations
• Mutual growth - access to a wealth of industry data for LJMU while Laskaridis Shipping benefits from academic advancements, improving financial and operational performance.

This MoU marks a significant step toward strengthening the global academic-industry network in maritime innovation, with a shared vision to ensure long-term benefits for both parties. The initial agreement spans three years, with the possibility of renewal based on the success of the partnership.