The HS4U Final Event which was organised by ABS with the support of White Research, held on 8 July 2025 at the Ploes Floating Venue in Athens, marked the successful conclusion of nearly three years of collaborative work under the Horizon Europe programme. Gathering more than 50 participants—including project partners, maritime professionals, industry experts, policymakers, and representatives from the Hellenic Navy and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping— the HS4U final event served as both a celebration of achievements and a platform for discussing the project’s long-term impact.

The evening began with opening remarks by Mr. Konstantinos Voutzoulidis, HS4U Project Coordinator and Director of Europe Contracted R&D at ABS Hellenic, followed by official addresses from Mr. George Alexandratos, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, and Mrs. Agnieszka Zaplatka, EU Project Officer at CINEA. A keynote speech by Dr. Stamatina Th. Rassia of Le.D.R.A. Group offered an inspiring narrative on the development of the HS4U Robot Cabin, framing the technological journey from conception to creation.

The programme featured three dynamic panel discussions. The first panel, moderated by Astrinos Papadakis, focused on hardware components, with contributions from Nataliya Cantarelli (CNT LAB), Stratos Papamichalis (RWO), Pini Gross (BetterAir), and Fábio Querido (Unparallel Innovation). They shared insights on integrating cutting-edge physical systems designed to enhance health and safety aboard passenger ships. The second panel, led by Dr. Kakia Panagidi, explored the software layer of the project. Speakers Dimitris Iakovidis, Alexandros Papacharalampous, and Gerasimos Markantonatos discussed intelligent data platforms for real-time monitoring, risk analysis, and decision-making support.

In the final panel, moderated by Prof. Dimitrios V. Lyridis, policy implications took centre stage. Kaitlyn West (Columbia Blue) and Charalambos Skapoullis (Celestyal Cruises) discussed how HS4U’s results could inform future maritime regulatory frameworks and public health protocols. A closing session on impact and legacy, led by Mr. Joshua Yeres (Variance Ascola), outlined the market prospects of HS4U technologies.

Attendees received eco-friendly tote bags featuring the HS4U logo and visual identity. Each bag included printed materials such as the project leaflet and event agenda, serving both as a practical takeaway and a symbol of the project’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in the maritime sector. The evening concluded with a cocktail reception and networking session, allowing participants to further engage and exchange ideas, with continued access to the Robot Cabin.

The Final Event successfully highlighted HS4U’s cross-disciplinary contributions and the project’s relevance for future maritime health and safety strategies, firmly anchoring its legacy within the Horizon Europe framework.