Warm thanks are expressed to Laskaridis Shipping Co.,Ltd. for its decisive support in the implementation of the DIGITSENSE Research Program carried out within the framework of the National Action "RESEARCH CREATE-INNOVATE SECOND CYCLE", of the Operational Program "COMPETITIVENESS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION", with the co-financing of Greece and the European Union, and in which: The Department of Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering of the School of Naval Cadets (Coordinator of the Project), the company PRISMA ELEKTRONIKA A.V.E. and the Energy and Environmental Research Laboratory - ELKE-EKPA/ E²ReLab,

The research team knowing the strategic choice of the Laskaridis Shipping company to lead the technological transition of Shipping towards modern techniques oriented towards sustainable development and environmental protection, and taking into account the excellent cooperation it has developed with the company's managers in matters of emission reduction of pollutants and environmental protection and especially with Mr. Christopoulos Georgios, Chief Operating Officer, considered that he is the most suitable to practically support the DIGITSENSE research project and addressed a relevant request. Laskaridis Shipping Co.,Ltd. responded immediately and substantially to the partnership's request to provide access to the required technical data of the HERA Oldendorff ship as well as to welcome on board representatives of the partners of the Research Program, for the planning and implementation of the pilot installation and operation of the Digital Twin platform of Ship Energy Systems (DIGITSENSE). At the beginning of June 2022, the representatives of the Research Project Agencies made the first visit to the ship HERA Oldendorff in the port of Rotterdam, where the necessary data for the planning of the pilot application of the system was collected. The staff of Laskaridis Shipping Co.,Ltd. contributed decisively to the perfect organization and coordination of the activities of the visit, providing important technical information and data necessary for the successful design of the pilot application of the DIGITSENSE system. We would like to express special thanks to Mr. Myron Giannakakis, Data Analyst, and Mr. Nikolaos, Fleet Manager, for the support and guidance they provided to the members of the research team. It is the belief of all the members of the DIGITSENSE Research Project that only companies that practically and substantially support innovative research actions such as Laskaridis Shipping Co., Ltd., will be able to achieve a smooth transition to the modern era that imposes on Shipping the immediate adoption of new technologies that contribute to the drastic reduction of the Environmental footprint of Shipping, while at the same time ensuring sustainable development at national and international level.