“We rarely think about the important role that seafarers play in our daily lives. They spend long hours at sea, transporting people and cargo or working at the liquefied natural gas terminal, thus significantly contributing to Lithuania’s energy independence and security. This responsible work often takes time away from loved ones, as families remain and wait on land. I sincerely thank all seafarers for their professionalism, dedication, and contribution to strengthening Lithuania as a maritime nation. I wish them to continue to be professionals in their field, to return home safely, and to make all of Lithuania proud with their work,” says Minister of Transport Juras Taminskas.
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The tribute ceremony for seafarers and shore workers has already become an integral part of the Sea Festival – an event bringing together the port and maritime community next to the 12-meter-high sculpture “Albatross,” symbolizing freedom and courage, held since 2012. The Klaipėda Port Authority joined the Lithuanian Sea Museum, which organizes the ceremony, a few years ago.
“Under the majestic wings of the Albatross, we meet every year with a special mood. We look at the horizon, the raging or calm Baltic Sea, the never-sleeping port, and remember the exciting stories that the sea holds to this day. Here resonate the names of those who dedicated their lives to the sea, whom it embraced forever in the cradle of its waves, and those who, with their sincere efforts and competencies, strengthen our maritime nation today. The large number of attendees each year inspires and testifies that we firmly maintain the course set before us, continue and cherish maritime traditions, and ambitiously carry on the work of those who opened the sea to us,” says Algis Latakas, General Director of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.
Here resonate the names of those who dedicated their lives to the sea, whom it embraced forever in the cradle of its waves, and those who, with their sincere efforts and competencies, strengthen our maritime nation today.
On Thursday in Kopgalis, words of respect and gratitude were heard, pieces performed by the Naval Forces Orchestra, and a minute of silence honored the memory of over 20 Lithuanian ships and twice as many people of tragic fate who sacrificed their lives to the sea. After paying tribute to those who did not return from the sea, thanks were extended to those whose dedication and work for the sea and port strengthen Lithuania and the maritime community.
The Honorary Badge of the Maritime Transport Worker of the Republic of Lithuania was awarded to the former captain of Klaipėda University ship “Mintis”, **Arvydas Padriezas**, for exceptionally high professional qualification of sea captains and significant contribution to strengthening the Lithuanian maritime community, increasing the prestige of the maritime profession, and representing practical maritime issues in the public sphere. This honorable award for professionalism, responsibility, and long-term work, significantly contributing to the strengthening of the Lithuanian maritime transport and logistics sector, was also presented to **Kęstutis Kairys**, director of the company “Baltkonta”. The director of Western Baltic Shipyard, Vitalijus Frolovas, was also honored with the badge for long-term and impeccable work, and a significant contribution to the development of the Lithuanian shipbuilding and repair sector.
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At this ceremony, acknowledgements from the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Mindaugas Sinkevičius, were presented to Klaipėda Port professionals. The Head of Government’s acknowledgement for a particularly significant contribution to the creation and development of the Port Authority’s commercial services structure, exceptionally high competencies in communication and marketing, and an exceptionally high work culture was awarded to **Džiugas Šaulys**, Director of the Commercial Department of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority. Thanks were also extended to **Arūnas Šarkauskas**, Chief Dispatcher of Malkų įlankos terminalas, for impeccable work, loyalty, and a significant contribution to the operations of Malkų įlankos terminalas and ensuring high-quality services at Klaipėda Port.
Letters of appreciation from Minister of Transport Juras Taminskas for excellent work, initiative, and responsibility were awarded to **Ieva Rakauskienė**, Head of Strategic Projects at Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, and **Dovilė Balsytė**, Project Manager of the Project Management Division of the Infrastructure Department at Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, as well as **Jonas Praniauskas**, member of the Lithuanian Seafarers’ Union and turner at “Klaipėdos duona”, **Raimondas Kaminskas**, Executive Director of Limarko Shipping Company, **Anatolij Šeiko**, tugboat captain at “Towmar Baltic”, **Milda Miltakytė**, Senior Captain’s Assistant at “DFDS Seaways”, **Tomas Jasčenskas**, stevedore operator and STS instructor at the stevedoring joint-stock company “Klaipėdos Smeltė”, **Rolandas Jonaitis**, cargo process service operator at “KN Energies”, and **Laura Stančaitytė**, Sales Manager at Klaipėda Container Terminal.
Letters of appreciation from Algis Latakas, General Director of Klaipėda Port Authority, for responsible execution of entrusted tasks and projects, professional knowledge, and personal initiative were presented to **Agota Rimkuvienė**, Marketing Specialist of the Communication and Marketing Division of the Commercial Department of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, **Roma Cikanienė**, Sustainability Coordinator of the Sustainability and Environmental Protection Division of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, **Agnė Garbaitė**, HR Manager of the stevedoring joint-stock company “Klaipėdos Smeltė”, as well as **Zigmas Šveikis**, plumber-welder at “Klaipėdos Smeltė”, **Žydrūnas Sidarkevičius**, stevedore-mechanic at Klaipėda Container Terminal, and **Vitoldas Knieža**, Project Manager, **Simonas Keliočius**, Commercial Manager, and **Dmitrijus Tiutikovas**, Project Planning Manager at “Vakarų laivų remontas”.
**Linas Bružas**, Director of the Production Department at Western Baltic Shipyard, was awarded the W. P. Lindenau Memorial Medal.
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