Cristian Chirita graduated from the Maritime University of Constanta as an Engineer of Navigation and Maritime Transport. He holds a Master’s degree in Maritime Safety and Security and a Master’s degree in Integrative Urban Development. Until 2022 he worked as a Master Mariner on tankers, transporting just over 2 million tonnes of oil and chemical products. Since 2016, he has been involved in endeavours to make shipping greener, and he is currently employed as a senior expert at viadonau – Österreichische Wasserstraßen-G.m.b.H., where his work focuses on improving the environmental performance of the inland waterway fleet.