The MERC Governing Committee is the principal decision-making body of the Centre. It comprises one voting representative from each of the six Founding Strategic Members. This group is responsible for overseeing MERC’s strategic direction, research programmes, project selection, tender awards, and the allocation of funding, all in alignment with the Centre’s mission and objectives.

The Committee operates under an annual rotating chairmanship.

The current Chair is George Thanopoulos, Chief Executive Officer of Neda Maritime Agency Co. Ltd.

Voting Members of the Governing Committee:

• Jerry Kalogiratos – Chief Executive Officer, Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp.

• Stratos Desypris – Chief Operating Officer, Navios Maritime Partners L.P.

• George Thanopoulos – Chief Executive Officer, Neda Maritime Agency Co. Ltd.

• Charis Plakantonaki – Chief Strategy Officer, Starbulk S.A.

• Vasileios Lampropoulos – Chief Operating Officer, Thenamaris (Ship Management) Inc.

• James Forsdyke – Managing Director, LR Maritime Decarbonisation Hub Ltd.

As required by Greek law, the MERC legal entity—Maritime Emission Reduction Centre Civil Non-Profit Company (A.M.K.E.)—includes two statutory non-voting directors. These roles are in place to support the Centre’s legal, administrative, and compliance obligations as a non-profit organisation registered in Greece.

Statutory Non-Voting Directors of the Legal Entity:

• Philippa Charlton – Corporate Director, M-ERC (A.M.K.E.)

• Andy McKeran – Corporate Director, M-ERC (A.M.K.E.)

This governance structure is designed to uphold the highest standards of neutrality, accountability, and transparency in the Centre’s operations.