Maritime schools: AEN enrollment increased by 11.5%

Shipping ministry’s efforts to attract young people continue to bear fruit Looking at the maritime industry from the perspective of green shipping transformation and new technologies.

The number of students admitted to the 10 Academies of Merchant Marine (AEN) through the national examination increased by 11.5%, according to figures released today by the Ministry of Education.

For the 2024-2025 school year, 1,363 students were admitted, while 1,222 students were admitted for the 2023-2024 school year and 1,180 students were admitted for the 2022-2023 school year.

In addition to the runners-up, there are 1,507 students who will be studying in their first year of AEN this year (plus 22 Masters AEN runners-up and 122 Engineering AEN runners-up).

It is worth noting that the number of AEN applications submitted by students in the third college in the 2024-2025 academic year increased by 5.4% compared to the 2023-2024 academic year.

Specifically, for the 2024-2025 academic year, a total of 2,927 applications were submitted (2,410 men and 517 women), while for the 2023-2024 academic year, a total of 2,778 candidate applications were submitted (2,312 men and 466 women).

Every year the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy implements a “Program to attract young people to maritime careers” approved by the Ministry of Education, which targets students from the third high school as well as the first and second high schools (general high schools and EPAL). Dozens of trained Coast Guard officers and AEN teachers introduce students to the professions and working conditions of bridge and engine room officers.

In the 2023-24 academic year, 7,173 students in 232 school units throughout Greece (an increase of 226.7% compared to the 2022-23 academic year) received notifications (an increase of 109.3% compared to the 2022-23 academic year).

The Ministry of Shipping noted that maritime education and attracting young people to the maritime industry is one of its main priorities and a key pillar of Greece’s economic and social development.

He noted that 2024-2025 has been designated as two “maritime education” years by the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy.