Contents

Awards &winners 11 Dry Cargo Company of the Year Costamare Inc. 13 Tanker Company of the Year StealthGas Inc. 15 Passenger Line of the Year Small Cyclades Lines 17 Shipbroker of the Year Greek John C. Pachoulis Shipping 19 Shipping Financier of the Year ABN Amro Bank Awards 21 Technical Achievement Award Erma First S.A. 2013 23 Ship of the Year WRITER Nigel Lowry ‘Ardennes’ DESIGN/PRODUCTION Graphic Resolutions 25 International Centre Award AWARDS MANAGEMENT University of the Aegean Event Producer: Peter Attwater Event Director: Nigel Lowry 27 International Personality of the Year Event & Guest Co-ordination Office Tel.+30 210 42 91 195 Robert D. Somerville Email: [email protected] SPONSORSHIP & 31 Seafarer of the Year ADVERTISING SALES Janet Wood Capt. Dimitrios Manolas and Capt. Pavlos Kountouris Tel. +44 203 290 0692 Email: [email protected] 33 Award for Achievement in Education or Training EVENT PRODUCTION Helmepa 360 Event Agency - www.360.com.gr PHOTOGRAPHER 35 Award for Achievement in Safety or Environmental Protection The Photoshop Company Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS Nikos Kokkalias 37 Deal of the Decade AWARD TROPHIES Raoul Bollani – www.bollani.it Angeliki Frangou TROPHY VIDEO 39 Lloyd’s List/Propeller Club Lifetime Achievement Award George Negas Creations for Andriana Paraskevopoulou Alexandros Tourkolias designed by Celia Kritharioti www.celiakritharioti.gr - Tel. 210 32 21 318 41 Newsmaker of the Year Nafsica Gavrilaki’s wardrobe provided by Simple Caractere Petros Pappas www.simple-caractere.gr - Tel. 210 68 14 321 43 Greek Shipping Personality of the Year VENUE Athenaeum InterContinental Hotel, Athens George Prokopiou Lloyd’s List Editorial, Advertising and Subscriptions inquiries 3 Introduction: Celebrating the best of 2013 Informa Business Information Christchurch Court, 10-15 Newgate Street, 7 Event Sponsor: Welcome from ClassNK London EC1A 7AZ Tel. +44 (0) 20 7017 5000 28 Personalities & Pictures: Greek Shipping’s Dinner of 2013 [email protected] Lloyd’s is the registered trademark of the 44 Winners 2004 – 2013: A decade of winners society Incorporated by the Lloyd’s Act 1871 by the name of Lloyd’s. 47 Nominated Ships: A new diversity in Greek shipping Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. 49 Quotes from the Ceremony: What they said... Reproduction of the editorial or pictorial content by any manner without written 52 The 2013 Judging Panel: Credibility guaranteed permission of the publisher is prohibited. Published by Informa

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 1 Introduction

The audience was The Welcome Cocktail entertained with Greek and Reception was hosted international songs from by ABS both in the main New York-based Greek atrium and in the singer Nafsica Gallery of Winners Huge anniversary audience celebrates the best of 2013

“SIMPLY the best,” sang one of the star ClassNK, the event’s overall lead sponsor. assessing the nominations submitted from the attractions, the talented young New York- A convivial pre-dinner cocktail reception was wider maritime community. based Greek singer Nafsica. That was the hosted by the American Bureau of Shipping Exceptions were the two awards decided binding theme of a night that once again put and ceremonies included a champagne toast directly by Lloyd’s List. As is traditional the a spotlight on achievement in the industry to the health of the Greek shipping industry, Newsmaker of the Year Award is one of but recognized merit in a wide variety of proposed by Classification Society. these and for 2013 it went to shipowner individuals, companies and institutions. These and numerous other Greek and Petros Pappas of Oceanbulk Maritime. The Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards international companies sponsoring individual Lloyd’s List also adjudged Angeliki Frangou a celebrated its 10th anniversary in style with a awards attested to the interest focused on worthy winner of the Deal of the Decade glittering gala dinner that attracted 1,100 of Greek shipping and the event that is now well- title, a special award offered to celebrate the ’s leading shipping personalities, established as the sector’s ‘Dinner of the Year’. event’s completion of a 10-year span. The executives and their guests, equaling the Large and small, industry-leading personalities deal that won Ms Frangou the prize was her record attendance for the event. as well as more obscure achievers all took 2005 takeover of Navios Corporation. The impressive gathering in the ballroom of their turn to come to the winner’s podium. It was coincidental, but certainly fitting, that the Athenaeum InterContinental Hotel heard All had emerged as the best among those the first award of the proceedings was made welcoming speeches by the minister of nominated in their category, as determined to containership owner Costamare Inc. as Shipping and the Aegean, Miltiadis by a 10-member panel of industry Dry Cargo Company of the Year 2013. Ten Varvitsiotis, and Noboru Ueda, president of personalities and experts charged with years earlier Costamare had become the

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 3 Introduction

The celebratory Champagne Toast to the health of Greek Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, minister of Shipping and the Aegean, shipping was given by Mr. Zhou Haisheng, general opened the event with a welcome speech for the Greek manager of the China Classification Society Greek office and international shipping audience recipient of the first ever trophy presented at its seafarers’ seminars as well as its The Seafarer of the Year Award, always one the inaugural 2004 Greek Shipping Awards. educational activities with schools. of the most warmly-appreciated of all the Another publicly-listed company, the The University of the Aegean received awards, was won by two masters, Capt expanding LPG carrier owner StealthGas, the prestigious Piraeus International Dimitrios Manolas and Capt Pavlos won the Tanker Company of the Year Award. Centre Award. Kountouris, for their participation in the But the Passenger Line of the Year category Ariston Navigation’s new handysize dry bulk rescue of four Irish sailors from their yacht could not have provided a starker contrast. carrier Ardennes was named Ship of the Year Wolfhound off Bermuda in February 2013. The winner was Small Cyclades Lines, a one- for numerous eco features and carefully The Awards are officially supported by ship service maintained by the Skopelitis thought-out systems. prominent bodies in Greek shipping, family that provides a lifeline for a handful of Individuals recognised by the panel were including the Union of Greek Shipowners, small islands in the Aegean. No winner was headed by shipowner George Prokopiou, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and the more enthusiastically hailed by the packed Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee. audience. for 2013. Supporting organizations also include the Active Dutch bank ABN Amro was chosen as Shipping banker Alexandros Tourkolias, the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection winner of the Shipping Financier of the Year chief executive of the National Bank of Association - Helmepa, the Hellenic and US-listed bunkering giant Aegean Marine Greece, was awarded the Lloyd’s List / Shipbrokers’ Association, the Association of Petroleum Network took the Award for Propeller Club Lifetime Achievement Award Greek Passenger Shipping Companies, the Achievement in Safety or Environmental for career achievements. Propeller Club, International , Protection. Immediate past chairman and former chief WISTA Hellas, the Association of Banking & Erma First S.A., part of the Environmental executive of ABS, Robert D. Somerville, was Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping, Protection Engineering group, won the unveiled as International Personality of the Year, and the Piraeus Association for Maritime Technical Achievement Award for its Greek- the only award open exclusively to non-Greeks. Arbitration. built ballast water treatment system. John Pachoulis, former president of the Hellenic The Awards are also grateful to the Helmepa, a two-time winner of the Shipbrokers Association, won the Shipbroker of Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation for annually environmental award, took home the Award the Year Award, the first time the award has proposing the shortlist of candidates for the for Achievement in Education or Training for been made to an individual broker. Seafarer of the Year Award.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 5 ClassNK Event Sponsor

Noboru Ueda, chairman and president of Event Sponsor ClassNK, delighted the audience with a lively speech in Greek for the third year in a row

“GOOD evening, ladies and gentlemen. That country was… Greece. The people of Greece and for the entire maritime industry. Greece ordered significant numbers of Standing here on the stage of the prestigious I wish for the continued prosperity of the newbuildings from Japanese shipyards, which Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards, this will Greek maritime industry and the continuation at that time were virtually destroyed. be my third trial at making a Greek address in of the long-lasting friendship between all of front of a Greek audience. Dear examiners, I It is thanks to those generous and clever you here and ClassNK. hope I can show you my progress. investments that Japan’s maritime industry Thank you very much, and enjoy your and indeed the entire country was able to evening.” Aristotle said: “Education is the best provision recover. “A friend in need is a friend indeed” for old age”. Well, I have been studying hard, and I think this truly represents the I just hope it’s not too late. relationship between Greece and Japan. Tonight, let me start with a story about Japan, ClassNK is not one to forget this, and we With over 215m gt on its register, ClassNK is as that is where I am from. It is an old story, have endeavoured to repay this kindness entrusted with the safety of roughly 20% of the and took place around 70 years ago. through our business. world’s merchant fleet. Since the founding of its After World War II, the recovery of Japan was We hope to achieve this by providing you Piraeus office in 1975, its partnership with the Greek community has steadily grown, and the overseen by the United States, which was with our best services, not only in terms of strength of the Greek maritime industry has also the top provider of funds. However, our traditional role as a classification society, been essential to its success. there was one other country that was also but also through a wide range of new making substantial contributions to help activities that facilitate the advancement of ClassNK was overall Event Sponsor of the Greek devastated Japan. technical innovations for the benefit of Shipping Awards 2013.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 7 Charity Donation

Despina Papastelianou, president of the children’s charity Richard Meade, editor of ARGO, receiving the donation from broadcasting star and Lloyd’s List addressed the evening’s co-host Andriana Paraskevopoulou the audience Applauding the Richard Meade: work of ‘Argo’ “THIS is the most glamorous event of the shipping industry’s calendar. It is a celebration of the best the shipping FOR the last eight years, the Lloyd’s List The group deals with a variety of learning industry has to offer. Greek Shipping Awards has been proud to disabilities and conditions, including autism, “The Greek market really is something offer an annual gesture of support to Argo, a providing education in small classes, a special. You are still the visionaries, you children’s charity formed nearly 30 years ago variety of activities, and psychological are the innovators, the boldest, the to try to support seafaring families’ children support for both the family and the brightest and I am happy to say you with physical and learning disabilities. individual with special needs. still boast the lion’s share of shipping On behalf of Lloyd’s List and the Awards, the success stories. Argo offers a day care centre, occupational donation was presented to Argo’s president training and other services to about 60 “The common thread that joins all our Despina Papastelianou by the well-known individuals ranging from teenagers to adults in winners tonight is a willingness and ability broadcaster Andriana Paraskevopoulou who to change, and adapt, to rapidly-changing their mid-40s. was co-host for the 2013 Greek Shipping market conditions because the shipping Awards. The charity is managed by an administrative industry is changing around us. Lloyd’s List council of seven elected members and two is not immune from that. What started life representatives appointed from the as a notice pinned to a coffee-shop wall in Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation and the More information about Argo can be found London is now the shipping industry’s most Hellenic Chamber of Shipping. at its website: www.argonauts.gr sophisticated on-line intelligence tool.”

h h 9 Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS Costamare Inc. Winner

Dry Cargo Company Panos G. Moraitis (left), CEO of sponsor Aspida Maritime Security, presents the of the Year award to Achilleas Konstantakopoulos

WHEN the Greek Shipping Awards were But the most eye-catching move was a joint At the same time the management company launched in 2004, containership specialist venture with York Capital Management Costamare Shipping entered into a Costamare Shipping was the recipient of the Global Advisors, a New York-based cooperation with V Ships Greece. first ever trophy presented at the event. investment firm, to invest up to $500m in the A special cell created within V Ships Greece is So success in the 10th awards for today’s container vessel sector in the next two years. providing technical management for a An innovative structure enables Costamare to publicly-listed owner Costamare Inc seemed a significant number of the company’s choose the exact participation in each fitting way to round out a decade of honours containerships, and also to vessels of third- acquisition from a minimum of 25% to to top dry cargo shipping companies. party clients. The management joint venture maximum 49%. During 2013 the owner In selecting Costamare as the winner for 2013 has a number of benefits for Costamare, announced co-acquisition of three including profits on ship management services the judging panel rewarded a strong story of secondhand vessel acquisitions and joint and reduced ship management expenditure, growth and innovation on several fronts. orders for two new 9,000 teu vessels from increased operational flexibility to respond to Since going public on the New York Stock Hanjin Shipyard Philippines. Exchange in 2010, the company has expanded changing market conditions, and greater The company recently established benchmarking of performance. and renewed its fleet, while consistently Costamare Maritime Training Services and turning in strong results. this was certified to ISO 9001:2008 An especially active 2013 saw Costamare take standards by GL System Certification. delivery of nine of its series of 10 The company offers high quality maritime containerships of 9,000 teu. Over long term education and training to officers, crews and charters to MSC and Evergreen the series will company staff – primarily for Costamare’s The Dry Cargo Company of the Year Award was contribute more than $1.3bn in revenues. needs and thereafter third parties. sponsored by Aspida Maritime Security Corp.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 11 StealthGas Inc. Winner

TANKER

Company Alexander Prokopakis (left), general manager of sponsor JetOil Bunkering, presents the award to Harry Vafias, of the Year chief executive of StealthGas

STEALTHGAS was widely seen as a worthy offering that raised about $110m in net The moment it has chosen to step on the gas winner of the Tanker Company of the Year proceeds earlier in 2013. coincides with an upsurge in interest in the Award in a year that saw the company take The company also added further lending LPG sector as one of the ‘sexier’ spaces in advantage of its solid background in the banks to a list of more than 20 to increase the shipping industry. handysize liquefied petroleum gas shipping flexibility and liquidity when raising finance. But while many of the players eying the LPG sector to launch an impressive fleet market have been focusing on very large gas expansion. As one of the nominations for StealthGas explained: “The company’s unstoppable carriers, StealthGas has stuck solidly to the In 2013 the company instigated a programme growth has not hampered the balance sheet. smaller end of the market – for vessels of of $400m worth of orders and acquisitions Debt has been kept low and ships are being 3,000 cu m to 8,000 cu m capacity - where it that includes 15 newbuilding orders of high- is already an acknowledged leader. specification eco vessels, of which 11 were fixed on period to reduce volatility.” placed in Japan. All of the newbuildings are According to another, the growth strategy has scheduled for delivery in 2014 and 2015. not reduced the company’s highly Including those vessels, the company’s fleet is competitive grip on running costs and general on course to grow to 54 LPG carriers and expenses, which are among the lowest in its meeting its publicly declared aim of peer group. controlling about 20% to 25% of the global As a Nasdaq-listed company StealthGas has fleet in its particular segment. for several years been able to pitch its sector The expansion will partly be funded by to investors as more stable than most The Tanker Company of the Year Award was drawing on the fruits of a successful equity shipping segments. sponsored by JetOil Bunkering.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 13 Small Cyclades Lines Winner

Capt. Mauro Renaldi (left), PASSENGER LINE managing director of VShips Greece, presents the trophy to Capt. Giannis Skopelitis of of the Year Small Cyclades Lines

SMALL was certainly beautiful in the eyes of The business has been passed down to son, patients for hospitalisation to Naxos or other the judging panel when it came to the Captain Giannis Skopelitis, who in addition better equipped islands such as Syros or Passenger Line of the Year Award. to managing the company also runs the ship . Coastal have endured a torrid time in personally together with alternate master So dedicated is the company to the welfare recent years as operators try to cope with Captain Giannis Fostieris. of the island communities it serves, and so the effects of the national economic crisis Today the company’s sole vessel is the personally does it tend to their needs, that that has sharply reduced traffic on the Express Scopelitis which, although bigger than inhabitants often refer to the Express routes, while trying to meet soaring fuel bills its predecessors, is still modest in size Scopelitis as ‘the mother of the islands’. resulting from high oil prices. relative to the ships deployed by the larger The company has been honoured a number coastal passenger companies. It has a But the jury was enthused with the of times by local municipalities and other capacity of 340 passengers and 11-12 nomination of Small Cyclades Lines which organisations for its dedication, and it was vehicles in its garage. maintains services all year round from Naxos the subject of a 2008 documentary film to the small islands of Amorgos, Donoussa, It rarely misses a sailing because of bad made by Manolis J. Kazamias that captures Koufonissia, Schinoussa and Iraklia. weather and is unanimously praised by the importance of the service to the islanders for its reliability all year round, The service was launched in 1958 by Captain inhabitants of the remote Cycladic islands. Manolis Skopelitis with a small caique, even in the face of daunting sea conditions in Panormitis. Senior citizens on the islands still the Aegean that interrupt other services. marvel today at the rough seas that the original Down the years the company’s vessel has vessel and subsequent small caiques braved to often run rescue voyages to transfer doctors The Passenger Line of the Year Award was maintain connections with the islands. and medicines to an island, or transfer sponsored by V.Ships.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 15 John C. Pachoulis Winner

SHIPBROKER Dr. Anil Sharma (left), founder, president and CEO of sponsor GMS, presents the of the Year trophy to John Pachoulis

OUR shipbroking award is generally made to In the early 1980s he became a competitive Pachoulis, and specializes in dry cargo a firm, but in 2013 it went exceptionally to an chartering broker, with Inship Shipbrokers, chartering. Latterly it has also developed individual shipbroker. and he was soon acknowledged for his some trading activities, particularly in sugar expertise in chartering contracts. John Pachoulis was a popular choice. In 2013 and oils. he stepped down as president of the Hellenic In 1983 he co-founded Alliance Chartering Mr Pachoulis has been highly active in Shipbrokers Association after eight years in and for the next 11 years the firm flourished education – including service as a lecturer in office. Prior to that he had served for four in spite of that decade’s shipping crisis. shipping at the University of Piraeus. He is years as vice president of the association. It was the first shipbroking shop in Greece the key expert in a collaboration with the to prioritise links with charterers, becoming Hamburg School of Business Administration During a career of 40 years, Mr Pachoulis has exclusive country representative of 22 to deliver an annual course in international been an innovator in Greek shipbroking as charterers. maritime business. He has always offered his well as establishing a peerless reputation for From 1994 to 2003 Mr Pachoulis was a educational services free of charge, believing integrity and giving back to the community. partner in Ionian Shipping and Chartering. it an obligation to share experience with the After graduating in shipping and commerce He had already become a member of the younger generation, thereby furthering the studies at the London School of Foreign HSA and since 1998 served as chairman of profession’s development in Greece. Trade, Morley college, he began his career its chartering committee. with Orri Navigation Group and continued In 2003, he established his own firm, with other companies active in the Megachart Inc., where he remains managing conventional regular liner trades prior to the director today. The company currently has The Shipbroker of the Year Award was domination of the container. seven young brokers, hand-picked by Mr sponsored by GMS Inc.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 17 ABN Amro Bank Winner

SHIPPING

FINANCIER Milena Pappas (left) of sponsor Star Bulk Carriers Corp., presents the trophy to Gust Biesbroeck, global of the Year head of transportation for ABN Amro

MANY traditional shipping banks having 2010, becoming the only bank to do so in of medium-sized companies, too. It has also reduced lending to the industry in the last few the middle of the country’s economic crisis. been involved in financing many of the new years but those demonstrating a continuing In the course of three years, the bank has partnerships between owners and private commitment to the Greek shipping built up a Greek shipping portfolio of about equity funds. community are sure to be strong contestants $1.8bn. Newbuildings and secondhand Outside the shipping industry, ABN Amro has for the Shipping Financier of the Year Award. acquisitions alike have been financed, although also been one of the first international banks For 2013, Dutch state bank ABN Amro the bank generally avoids vessels older than to look positively at opportunities in the proved to be an unbeatable candidate as 10 years of age and is known to like new eco- Greek economy. arguably the most active lender in the technology ships. Accepting the award, Gust Biesbroeck, Greek market. A distinguishing mark of the bank’s approach head of transportation, said: “Shipping and has been its commitment to greener shipping. banking alike are going through a period of The institution has a long history of relations A member of the Sustainable Shipping rapid change. with Greek shipping, having been one of the Initiative, it has been the first bank to flag up “It is our ambition to lead you, our clients, first international banks to establish itself on its willingness to provide loans for retrofitting through these tricky waters and help you the Piraeus waterfront in the 1970s. vessels with energy-saving technologies and is prepare for the future in a different Under the incarnation of Fortis Bank, the among the few banks to refer to scrapping financial world.” bank had previously won the award in and the environment in documentation. 2006. But after various changes ABN Amro has not exclusively concentrated necessitated by the financial crisis, ABN on the tier of the very largest Greek owners The Shipping Financier of the Year Award Amro re-established itself in Greece in but has accommodated a significant number was sponsored by Star Bulk Carriers Corp.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 19 Erma First S.A. Winner

TECHNICAL Constantinos Stampedakis (left), general manager, ACHIEVEMENT and Eleni Polychronopoulou (centre), vice president of Environmental Protection Engineering, accept the award from Torsten Schramm, chief operating AWARD officer of sponsor Germanischer Lloyd.

AT A time when the Greek economy needs The system has been designed to reduce “This is a Greek product made by Greeks encouragement and investment, the judging maintenance costs to a minimum since it who share the same passion of creating panel enthusiastically recognised a successful, includes no moving parts, and has the innovative ideas with respect to the ship and innovative and ‘green’ manufacturing product for advantage of low energy consumption in the seafarer,” said Constantinos the shipping industry that was ‘Made in Greece’ order to reduce environmental impact. Stampedakis, general manager of EPE, who – the Erma First Ballast Water Treatment The small power consumption means easy together with vice president Eleni System. adaption for existing energy-balanced Polychronopoulou accepted the award. Developed by Erma First S.A., an affiliate of designs and for today’s eco-vessels the “We have dedicated a significant part of the well-known Environmental Protection system will contribute to a ship’s low Energy our lives to this project in the last five Engineering (EPE) group, the product is Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). years,” he said. compatible with international regulations. In It is also easily installed, including retrofits on “It was not an easy job,” said Ms October 2013 it became one of the first such existing vessels with no need for additional Polychronopoulou. “We had to invent, systems to receive acceptance from the US power generation or modifications to ballast re-invent and innovate.” Coast Guard. pipeworks. However the project had proved a success. The Erma First BWTS is an electrolytic system The team that developed the system put The BWTS was already being installed in incorporating an advanced separation stage based 12,000 hours of research and testing into the projects in Japan, China, South Korea, on hydrocyclones. The separation stage of the project. More than 3,000 samples were Turkey and India as well as in Greece. system is a unique method of stable operation tested. A group of 10 qualified Greek under all load conditions and achieving extreme engineers and scientists wrote a total of 8,000 The Technical Achievement Award was sediment removal that guarantees no clogging. pages for the certification process alone. sponsored by Germanischer Lloyd.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 21 ‘Ardennes’ Winner

SHIP of Irek Burakowski (left), vetting superintendent for sponsor RightShip, presents the trophy to John Xylas, the Year managing director of Ariston Navigation

A HANDY size bulk carrier, Ardennes, appraised for features of operational reliability, The vessel boasts fully-integrated emerged as the Ship of the Year for 2013, loading flexibility and maintenance friendliness. performance and voyage monitoring beating what was undoubtedly the strongest The panel took a preferential view of the equipment, including cargo and ballast data, field of candidate vessels in the history of the vessel type as a basic building block of the along with hull fouling condition indicators Greek Shipping Awards. Greek fleet and a work horse of world trade. and engine load conditions monitored by a The 36,000 dwt bulker was delivered to The Sea Stallion emerged after evaluation of torque power string gauge. Ariston Navigation in October 2013 as the more than 11 different designs, followed by All data is integrated and presented on a lead vessel in a multi-ship series of independent tank testing of the model ship in single screen and the system allows the newbuildings ordered at CSC Jinling Shipyard. three separate European test basins. vessel’s master to collect live data to optimise The new Sea Stallion 36 design evolves from The vessel incorporates experience from the the ship’s trim for further efficiency. the successful Seahorse 35 design, which likes of Grontmij design, Theta Marine, ABS Ardennes and sister vessels feature fully- began delivering in 2011. Bespoke innovations and LR, as well as drawing on extensive electric variable frequency drive deck cranes focus on energy efficiency with an Energy feedback from charterers and major with state-of-the-art cabins for recording and Efficiency Design Index that is said to put the commodity traders. monitoring of cargo operations. vessel in the top 3% of its class. Key features include a fully electronic Wartsila The Ardennes was hailed by judges as one of the 5RT-Flex 50-D main engine that can be first true eco vessels worldwide in its sector, as converted to a gas-powered dual-fuel engine. well as an example of careful shipowner Added propulsion efficiency derives from a participation in the design procedure. specially-designed Stone Marine propeller and The Ship of the Year Award was sponsored by In addition, the vessel was also positively a Mewis Duct, optimised for the specific hull. RightShip.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 23 University of the Aegean Winner

PIRAEUS University rector Paris Tsartas (left) and Amalia INTERNATIONAL Polydoropoulou (centre), head of the university department of Shipping, Trade & Transport, accept the award from Isabella Schidrich, senior managing CENTRE AWARD director of sponsor the NASDAQ Stock Market

IN VIEW of the 30th anniversary of the ReShip Laboratory has attracted a growing sector,” said Prof Tsartas. “This prestigious University of the Aegean in 2014 and the reputation for its research in various award today is a confirmation of this… It backdrop of huge challenges the country’s aspects of shipping and ports, providing confirms that we stand on solid, effective economic crisis has dealt to educational strong support for the department’s ground and our collaboration with your institutions, the award made to the teaching activities. sector will carry on fruitfully.” university’s Department of Shipping, Trade The Piraeus International Centre Award Prof Polydoropoulou said: “Many of you are and Transport, celebrating its own 15th year capped a memorable week for the university. so well known to us as employers of our of operation, could hardly have come at a Its rector, Professor Paris Tsartas and shipping students, our sponsors, our supporters, our more fitting time. department head Professor Amalia network spanning much more than the With schools and departments spread over Polydoropoulou, flew to Athens to accept the Aegean archipelago. six different islands in the , the prize direct from the biggest day in the “This prestigious award gives us strength that university is no stranger to challenge. The academic year, its student graduation we can carry with us back to our department shipping department, founded in 1998, ceremony. in Chios,” she said. draws on the strong maritime tradition of The same week also saw a very successful “This award tonight makes this week a Chios where it is based and combines 2013 careers day. The university placed 854 week to remember during the challenging subjects such as business management and students as trainees in about 150 firms, times ahead, as one more thing that tells us: administration with shipping, transport and mostly maritime companies. keep going!” international trade. “Ever since its founding, the University of the It offers an undergraduate and a postgraduate Aegean has had as a key objective the The Piraeus International Centre Award was study programme, and in recent years its systematic collaboration with the private sponsored by the NASDAQ Stock Market.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 25 Robert D. Somerville Winner

INTERNATIONAL

PERSONALITY Robert Somerville (left), former chairman and CEO of ABS, accepts the trophy from George Zanias, chairman of the board of OF THE YEAR the National Bank of Greece

INTERNATIONAL Personality of the Year is In 2004, he followed Frank J. Iarossi as doubled to more than 5,000 worldwide. the sole category among the Greek Shipping chairman and chief executive, a dual role that In addition to shepherding ABS to new Awards that is open only to non-Greeks and was held until the chief executive heights, Mr Somerville had, and continues to has been won in the past by personalities from responsibilities were passed to Christopher have, a special relationship with the Greek Wiernicki in 2011. Asia and North America as well as Europe. maritime community. A staunch defender of classification and a The judging panel chose Robert Somerville as He headed the ABS office in Piraeus for many the latest recipient, just a few months after his strong proponent of ever higher safety standards for the shipping and offshore years and supported a number of projects of retirement as chairman of classification society industries, Mr Somerville leaves a lasting importance to Greek shipping. American Bureau of Shipping. legacy not only at ABS but also through his The fact that Mr Somerville attended the Mr Somerville, who until two years ago was participation in the International Association of ceremony in person, despite a clash with also the society’s chief executive, has been the Classification Societies (IACS). Thanksgiving in the US, was testimony to the longest-serving leader in ABS’ 150-year Under his chairmanship, IACS adopted the importance he accords Greece. history. Retirement on April 30, 2013, marked Common Structural Rules for Tankers and “Greece is our number one marketplace in the end of an unbroken 20 years in which he Bulk Carriers. the world,” he told guests at the awards was either president or chairman. Mr Somerville felt that the initiative was the dinner. He spent 43 years with ABS, starting as a single greatest advance in classification safety field surveyor in 1970 and thereafter rose standards in the history of the sector. rapidly through the management structure From the time of his election as ABS until he became president and chief president, the society’s fleet more than The International Personality of the Year Award operating officer in 1993. doubled in size to almost 200m gt, while staff was sponsored by National Bank of Greece.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 27 Personalities & Pictures Personalities & Pictures

Greek Shipping’s ‘Dinner of 2013’ A record crowd including many top personalities helped us celebrate reaching our 10-year milestone

Where are OUR awards? Peter Attwater, the producer of the Greek Shipping Awards since inception, contemplates the trophy to three loyal sponsors. Below, with Livia Calzá, an ever-present on stage for 10 years

Thanassis Laskaridis of Laskaridis Shipping (left) shares a joke with Lou Kollakis of Chartworld

Broadcaster Andriana Paraskevopoulou teamed up with Nigel Lowry to A special memento for a decade of support: presentations were made to Lloyd’s co-host the gala dinner for the second time Register, Royal Bank of Scotland and XRTC Business Consultants, a trio that have sponsored the Awards non-stop since 2004. From left: XRTC’s George Xiradakis, Apostolos Poulovassilis of LR and Lambros Varnavides of RBS

Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis (left) with former Union of Greek Shipowners’ Citi-bankers past and present Takis Constantaras (left) and Dimitri president Nicos Efthymiou and wife Eleni Vassilacos (right) flank Charlotte Stratos of Morgan Stanley Double celebration: Lifetime Achievement honoree Alexandros Tourkolias (centre) George Angelopoulos of Arcadia John Kittmer (right), the UK ambassador blows out the candle on a surprise birthday cake as Marianna Latsis (left) and Shipmanagement (left) with to Greece, with Thanos Pallis, secretary George Economou share the merriment Costamare’s Costis Konstantakopoulos general of MedCruise

A great event to be seen at

Simply the best: Nafsica came all the way from New York to captivate Cocktail party hosts: from left - ABS’s Vassilios Kroustallis, Gillian Smyth, Robert Jeweller Raoul Bollani, the creator of the audience with a stunning performance of songs specially chosen to Somerville and Dimitris Houliarakis. Retired former chairman and chief executive the Greek Shipping Awards trophy, fit the occasion Somerville won the International Personality Award for 2013 All smiles at the table of past-winner GasLog attended the event for the first time A job well done

h THE WINNERS h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 h THE WINNERS h 28 Greek Shipping Awards 2013 29 Capt. Dimitrios Manolas and Capt. Pavlos Kountouris Winner

SEAFARER Alexander Andreas Tsavliris (centre), principal of the of the Tsavliris Salvage Group, presents the Seafarer of the Year trophies to Capt. Capt. Pavlos Dimitrios Manolas (right) and to Efrosyni Year Kountouris Kountouri, representing her brother

THE Seafarer of the Year Award, which is ballast condition it eventually had to stand “I would like to thank the crew of the decided by the judging panel based on a by as it was too unstable to be handled Tetien Trader, without whom none of this shortlist of candidates put forward by the safely alongside the smaller boat in such would have been possible,” said Captain Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation, usually rough seas. Dimitrios Manolas, accepting his trophy. recognises a master whose vessel has An hour later, the Greek-flagged Tetien The Award was shared with the master of responded to an emergency at sea. Trader, a laden bulk carrier operated by the Eurochampion 2004, Captain Pavlos This year the panel acknowledged two Greek Alnav Naftiliaki, was on the scene and Kountouris, who was unable to attend the masters who responded to an emergency provided a more stable vehicle to attempt ceremony as he was at sea commanding involving a yacht in distress off Bermuda. the evacuation of the Wolfhound’s crew of another Tsakos vessel. He was represented On February 8, 2013, rescue services four Irish yachtsmen. at the dinner by his sister, Efrosini picked up a distress signal from the yacht The bulker secured the Wolfhound Kountouri. Wolfhound that had been struggling in alongside but the task of bringing the In a video message, he told guests: “We increasingly bad conditions on an Atlantic yachtsmen onboard was still a difficult one Greek captains and crews in our daily work crossing that had seen the boat lose power with the yacht rising and falling heights of consider it our duty to achieve positive and virtually all means of navigation. It was 15-20 ft during the operation. They were results and promote seamanship and our located about 680 miles off the US and 75 hauled aboard the freighter with the country internationally.” miles north of Bermuda and two merchant physical strength of eight of the Tetien vessels were diverted. Trader’s crew who hauled them up by a The Tsakos-owned tanker Eurochampion heavy rope. After 10 days Tetien Trader put The Seafarer of the Year Award was sponsored 2004 was first on the scene but being in the yachtsmen ashore in Gibraltar. by the Tsavliris Salvage Group.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 31 Helmepa Winner

ACHIEVEMENT Dorothea Ioannou (left), managing director of IN EDUCATION SCB Hellas Inc., the Piraeus managers of award sponsor The American Club, presents the award for Achievement in Education or Training to OR TRAINING Dr. John Coustas, chairman of Helmepa

THE Hellenic Marine Environment Protection examples of experience from Helmepa more than 10,000 schoolchildren every year Association, or Helmepa, is a two-time winner member-companies. through its cleaning initiatives and also through of the Award for Achievement in Safety or At the same time, Helmepa was also visits of environmental exhibitions. Environmental Protection. It picked up its recognised for the work of its junior wing that “Helmepa all these years has developed with first-ever Education or Training Award as the has so far embraced more than 70,000 new technology all kinds of training initiatives. judging panel recognised the organisation’s children of ages up to 13. It has initiated e-learning procedures and is outstanding work in two distinct areas providing training programmes in a number of Accepting the award on behalf of the pertaining to the award category. other languages that constitute the majority of voluntary organisation, chairman John Coustas the crews used on Greek vessels. Since its inception in the 1980s, Helmepa has said the following: continuously developed its specialised training “Moreover Helmepa has forged very strong “This award definitely goes to the management of member-company ship’s officers and relations with the various safety organisations onshore staff. The result is Helmepa’s current- of Helmepa that does such an excellent job. around the world. day Maritime Training Centre for Pollution “Helmepa was set up to promote training on “I urge all companies that are not already Prevention, Safety at Sea and Environmental the environmental front for all our employees members to join - not only to support the Awareness. and seafarers. That has evolved through the work of Helmepa and the community Among the latest enhancements of the years and Helmepa has provided very initiatives that we are instigating but also in courses are seminars launched in autumn 2013 advanced courses in most other areas related order to get real assistance and support for on risk management in preventing accidents. to marine environment and protection. the training of your people.” As well as discussion of risk assessment “It has also mobilised the wider community The Award for Achievement in Education or techniques, the seminars draw on real-life through Helmepa Junior that is mobilising Training was sponsored by The American Club.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 33 Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. Winner

ACHIEVEMENT IN SAFETY OR ENVIRONMENTAL Tom Boardley (left), marine director of sponsor Lloyd’s Register, presents the trophy PROTECTION to Spyros Fokas of Aegean Marine Petroleum

“THIS award is a great honour for any been renewal of its fleet with a programme of mooring, unmooring and cargo operations. recipient company,” said Aegean Marine 31 newbuilding double hull bunkering tankers Comparisons show that Aegean’s fleet emits Petroleum Network general counsel and of latest technology that concluded in 2012. 45-50% less greenhouse gas emissions than corporate secretary Spyros Fokas, accepting A stringent, live safety and environmental the average for the industry. the trophy on the company’s behalf. management system, including a detailed risk Judges also took into consideration the fact “It becomes even more significant, though, assessment and risk management process, is that Aegean has been actively involved with when it is awarded to a company which also integral to maintaining its record. the European Oil Spill recovery back-up conducts complex bunkering supplies.” Performance and progress are monitored system managed by EMSA, and that an affiliate, New York-listed Aegean operates the largest through KPIs and EPIs. Hellenic Environmental Centre, provides waste bunkering fleet in the world, delivering nearly According to nominations for the company, collection and treatment in Greek ports. 1m t of fuel every month, in about 60 major Aegean rigorously benchmarks its safety, In his acceptance speech, Mr Fokas paid international ports. environmental and management performance tribute to the company’s staff. “This The company received the panel’s backing in across its fleet and against company and achievement reflects the unfailing, intensive view of the safety and environmental wider industry performance data. and tireless daily effort of the 2,000 people of measures it has implemented to ensure no Its safety performance with regard to the Aegean family,” he said. mishaps during its 30,000 supply operations personnel injury, for example, is said to each year, and for a perfect record of no spill be 40-60% better than wider tanker incidents since it was established in 2005. industry figures, which is especially The Award for Achievement in Safety or Basic to the company’s efforts to run a impressive given that company activities Environmental Protection was sponsored by spotlessly clean physical supply operation has commonly include ship-to-ship transfers, Lloyd’s Register.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 35 Angeliki Frangou Winner

DEAL Rakesh Khetan (left) of sponsor Wirana Shipping OF THE Corporation, presents the trophy to Vasiliki Papaefthymiou (centre), executive vice president – Angeliki legal, and George Achniotis, chief financial officer, DECADE Frangou both accepting on behalf of Angeliki Frangou

WHEN we announced a special ‘Deal of the That excluded some more recent deals. ISE secured Navios against fierce competition Decade’ Award to mark 10 years of the Greek Remarkably, several of the deals remaining in and not because it offered more than all rivals, Shipping Awards, what were some of the contention were generated by the Navios brand. but because it presented, in addition to a strong suggestions we received? Fiercely advocated by some is the joint venture number, an all-cash deal with no strings attached. There were some huge takeovers of dry bulk that gave wings to Navios South American Even so, the price was seen at the time as fleets completed by Greek shipowners during Logistics that has become a leading logistics steep, even for one of the most famous brands the span of our awards. There were, too, provider for storage and transportation of in shipping. Today, however, it looks a bargain. impressive fleet sales that are still cited today minerals, grains and petroleum products in the In addition to the value that Ms Frangou was as shrewd transactions. Hidrovia region of South America. able to capture in Navios, she has been able to Other deals that stood tall, albeit in miniature We also admired the 2007 takeover of use the deal as a springboard for creating one compared to such multi-ship mega-moves, Belgium’s Kleimar that added a capesize of today’s leading shipping groups. included a record price achieved for a operation to Navios, and benefited the group secondhand ferry. through Kleimar’s Asian contacts and access to There have been smart forays into offshore privileged European charter default insurance. shipping and mega-orders for containerships. We In our book, however, the ‘mother of all deals’ thought long and hard about some of these. was Angeliki Frangou’s original 2005 acquisition In the end, we felt preference should be given of Navios for just over $600m. The previous to deals that created something rather than just year when she raised $200m through a special profited from reselling assets. We also wanted to purpose acquisitions corporation, International The Deal of the Decade Award was sponsored identify a deal that had stood the test of time. Shipping Enterprises, she was very little known. by Wirana Shipping Corporation.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 37 Alexandros Tourkolias Winner

Lloyd’s List/Propeller Club LIFETIME

ACHIEVEMENT Antonis Comninos (left), chairman of the Target Group, presents the award to Alexandros Tourkolias, CEO of National AWARD Bank of Greece

ALEXANDROS Tourkolias is one of the shipping in 2002. Later he continued to help exemplified by the participation of numerous leading figures in both Greek shipping and the develop the bank’s shipping portfolio from the prominent shipowners in NBG’s country’s banking sector. position of general manager of corporate and recapitalisation in 2013. He has coped with some of the most investment banking. While he is not saving the country’s banking demanding situations in both shipping and Mr Tourkolias became a member of the NBG system, Mr Tourkolias maintains a strong banking throughout his career – from the Group executive committee in 2006 and he interest in the shipping industry, as shown by shipping crisis of the 1980s to the current was appointed chief executive of the NBG his longstanding chairmanship of the crisis affecting Greece and its financial system Group in June 2012. Association of Banking & Financial Executives - and he has emerged as a respected business Since then, his achievements include of Hellenic Shipping. figure both at home and internationally. masterminding a successful recapitalisation of A nomination for Mr Tourkolias said: “As a From 1977 to 1988, he worked for Bank of NBG, enabling it to remain private, and banker he has always been a strong supporter America, eventually becoming vice president returning the group in 2013 to positive pre- of the [shipping] industry and known for in charge of its shipping centre in Piraeus. tax financial results. taking a long-term view that has helped Thereafter he joined Bank of Scotia as He has promoted a policy of renewing the support customers and the sector overall head of shipping financing and also acted as the bank’s middle management by empowering through the tough times.” bank’s assistant general manager for Greece. and promoting young NBG employees to In 1997, he became manager of the shipping senior positions. The Lloyd’s List / Propeller Club Lifetime division for the country’s largest bank, National The degree of trust that the shipping Achievement Award was sponsored by the Bank of Greece, becoming general manager of community has in Mr Tourkolias was Target Group.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 39 Petros Pappas Winner

GREEK SHIPPING

NEWSMAKER Petros Pappas (centre), accepts the trophy from Katerina Fitsiou (left) and George Xiradakis of sponsor OF THE YEAR XRTC Business Consultants

THERE were a number of strong potential similar number of ultramaxes, together with “Apart from making profits for ourselves, it candidates in 2013 for Newsmaker of the one kamsarmax. There have also been helps Greece retain its top rank in the world Year, a category regularly judged directly by secondhand acquisitions. A couple of shipping business and enjoy the respect and Lloyd’s List. But in the end it was hard to newbuilding orders were penned advantages that spring from such a position of argue with Petros Pappas, a shipowner who, independently of Oaktree. power. It also brings new management during the year in question, re-emerged as Beyond the dry bulk sphere, Mr Pappas has business to Greece, assisting our economy at one of the most prominent personalities in linked with Oaktree to order post-panamax a time of dire need. shipping worldwide. containerships and acquire product tankers “Finally, it creates jobs for Greeks, attracts talent He has been investing in vessels in three for newly-formed Product Shipping & Trading and brainpower, keeping it from leaking out of different sectors, often in partnership with (PST Tankers), which has quickly built up a our country,” he said. “Human capital, in my the world’s biggest hedge fund manager, fleet of 14 vessels. personal view, is an invaluable success factor. Oaktree Capital. In addition, he chairs Nasdaq-listed Star Bulk “In our company, without the tremendous Having sold almost his entire fleet early in the Carriers which effectively re-launched itself in support of a team of young shipping dry bulk boom, Mr Pappas patiently awaited 2013 with a number of orders, backed with professionals that work 24-7 to make this the ideal re-entry point and since 2012 he has successful fund-raising that brought on board happen we would not have been able to been involved in well over $1bn of new some impressive names as investors. achieve even a fraction of what we have shipping investments. “There are several good things about the achieved,” said Mr Pappas. With Oaktree, his Oceanbulk Shipping influx of foreign money into Greek company has placed orders for up to 10 companies,” Mr Pappas told the audience in The Newsmaker of the Year Award was capesize and newcastlemax bulkers and a accepting the award. sponsored by XRTC Business Consultants.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 41 George Prokopiou Winner

GREEK SHIPPING

PERSONALITY George Prokopiou (left) accepts the trophy from Lambros Varnavides, managing director and global head of shipping for OF THE YEAR sponsor the Royal Bank of Scotland

GEORGE Prokopiou accepted his award as “We owe this achievement to our captains, “For me shipping is a passion, it is my hobby,” Greek Shipping Personality of the Year shortly crew, office personnel, banks and the support said Mr Prokopiou. “For us Hellenes, the sea is after his liquefied natural gas partnership as well of Gazprom,” Mr Prokopiou told guests exciting and has a unique attraction to us that Dynagas LNG Partners went public on Nasdaq. at the awards dinner. has been embedded in our DNA over the depths of history.” The new vehicle raised $225m and positions Dynagas is currently the only company in the the LNG wing of Mr Prokopiou’s group for world that is transiting the Arctic shortcut with He earlier said he was moved to receive the further growth. But the flotation was by no LNG carriers. award from Lambros Varnavides, head of means the only recent milestone for the shipping for Royal Bank of Scotland. RBS Dynagas took delivery of three newbuildings in shipowner. supported him in the early years of his career 2013 from a new series of seven LNG carriers as a shipowner during the 1980s at a time Earlier in 2013, Dynacom Tankers and dry under construction by Hyundai Heavy affiliate Sea Traders had completed newbuilding when he had twice as many ships laid-up as Industries. The vessels are all winterised and programmes that saw 64 new tankers and bulk were trading. ice-class, creating a unique fleet. carriers delivered in the last five years with no cancellations. The year also saw major achievements in financing and chartering the new vessels. At the same time it was a year that saw Dynagas make a reality of a decade-old vision Dynagas Partners starts with an initial fleet of of Mr Prokopiou’s. In October 2012 it made three steam turbine LNG carriers built for history as the first company to perform a Dynagas in 2007-8, but has options to acquire transit of the Northern Sea Route with an all seven of the new dual-fuel diesel-electric The Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Award LNG carrier, the six year-old Ob River. powered vessels as well. was sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 43 Winners 2004 – 2013 Winners 2004 – 2013

2008 Winners 2009 Winners 2010 Winners Dry Cargo Company of the Year Dry Cargo Company of the Year Dry Cargo Company of the Year Anangel Maritime Services Safe Bulkers, Inc. Tanker Company of the Year Tanker Company of the Year Tanker Company of the Year Eletson Corporation Capital Ship Management Corp. GasLog Ltd. Passenger Line of the Year Passenger Line of the Year Passenger Line of the Year Anek Lines Aegean Speed Lines Louis Cruises Shipbroker of the Year Shipbroker of the Year Shipbroker of the Year Carriers Chartering Corporation Golden Destiny Cass Technava Maritime Shipping Financier of the Year Shipping Financier of the Year Shipping Financier of the Year Dimitris Anagnostopoulos National Bank of Greece XRTC Business Consultants Piraeus International Centre Award Piraeus International Centre Award Piraeus International Centre Award Laboratory for Maritime Transport NTUA Hellenic Shipbrokers Association WISTA Hellas Technical Innovation Award International Personality of the Year Technical Achievement Award Dimitris Tsalapatis Commissioner Joe Borg Professor Dracos Vassalos Ship of the Year Technical Achievement Award International Personality of the Year “Toisa Pegasus” Ship Design Laboratory NTUA & Germanischer Lloyd Capt. Wei Jiafu Award for Achievement in Safety Ship of the Year Ship of the Year or Environmental Protection “Aktea OSRV” “Naftocement XVIII” Basil Phrixos Papachristidis Seafarer of the Year Seafarer of the Year Seafarer of the Year Capt. Efstratios Kavros Capt. Dimitrios Nezos Capt. Lazaros Vasileiades Capt. Haralambos Petras Award for Achievement in Safety 2004 Winners International Personality of the Year Capt. Alexandros Stamatakis or Environmental Protection Dry Cargo Company of the Year Admiral Thad W. Allen Award for Achievement in Safety Laboratory for Maritime Transport NTUA Costamare Shipping Co., S.A. Achievement in Education or Training or Environmental Protection Award for Achievement in Education or Training Efthimios Mitropoulos Tanker Company of the Year Union of Greek Shipowners Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Greek Branch Award for Achievement in Education or Training Maran Gas Maritime Lifetime Achievement Award Lifetime Achievement Award Professor Costas Grammenos Passenger Line of the Year Nikolas S. Lemos Gregory P. Callimanopulos Lifetime Achievement Award Greek Shipping Newsmaker of the Year Greek Shipping Newsmaker of the Year Capt. Vassilis Constantacopoulos Shipbroker of the Year Gabriel Panayotides Evangelos Marinakis Greek Shipping Newsmaker of the Year A decade of winners Allied Shipbroking Inc. Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Victor Restis Shipping Financier of the Year Efthimios Mitropoulos Epaminondas G.E. Embiricos Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Alpha Bank Special Award – Man of the Sea Special Award – Man of the Sea Almost 150 of our iconic Greek Shipping Awards trophies Andreas Vgenopoulos Technical Innovation Award Capt. Kristo Laptalo Dimitris C. Mitsatsos Special Award – Man of the Sea have been presented during the 10 years since the event was Danaos Shipping Co. Thanos Mikroutsikos Award for Achievement in Safety launched. They have been won by some of the most famous or Environmental Protection names in the industry; others have been awarded to winners Helmepa 2011 Winners 2012 Winners 2013 Winners Greek Shipping Newsmaker of the Year who otherwise might not have had the recognition they Evangelos Pistiolis Dry Cargo Company of the Year Dry Cargo Company of the Year Dry Cargo Company of the Year Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Laskaridis Shipping Co. Ltd. Aegean Bulk Co. Ltd. Costamare Inc. deserved. Here, you can see where every last award has gone. Athina Martinou Tanker Company of the Year Tanker Company of the Year Tanker Company of the Year Special Award – Man of the Sea Minerva Marine Inc. Neda Maritime Agency Co. Ltd. StealthGas Inc. Nikos Kaklamanakis Passenger Line of the Year Passenger Line of the Year Passenger Line of the Year Blue Star Ferries Blue Star Ferries Small Cyclades Lines 2005 Winners 2006 Winners 2007 Winners Shipbroker of the Year Shipbroker of the Year Shipbroker of the Year Hellaschart Ltd. Optima Shipbrokers Dry Cargo Company of the Year Dry Cargo Company of the Year Dry Cargo Company of the Year John C. Pachoulis Shipping Financier of the Year First Financial Corp. Danaos Corporation Diana Shipping Inc. Shipping Financier of the Year Shipping Financier of the Year Aegean Baltic Bank Tanker Company of the Year Tanker Company of the Year Tanker Company of the Year DVB Bank ABN Amro Bank Piraeus International Centre Award Dynacom Tankers Management Tsakos Energy Navigation Arcadia Shipmanagement Co. Piraeus International Centre Award Piraeus International Centre Award Capital Link Inc. Passenger Line of the Year Passenger Line of the Year Passenger Line of the Year Piraeus Container Terminal University of the Aegean Technical Achievement Award Blue Star Ferries Technical Achievement Award Technical Achievement Award Minoan Lines Stavros Hatzigrigoris Shipbroker of the Year Shipbroker of the Year SNAME Greek Section Erma First S.A. Shipbroker of the Year International Personality of the Year Optima Shipbrokers WeberSeas International Personality of the Year International Personality of the Year George Moundreas & Co. Emanuele Grimaldi Shipping Financier of the Year Shipping Financier of the Year Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Robert D. Somerville Shipping Financier of the Year Ship of the Year Fortis Bank Deutsche Schiffsbank Ship of the Year Ship of the Year Royal Bank of Scotland “Desert Calm” Piraeus International Centre Award Piraeus International Centre Award ‘Hyundai Ambition’ m/v “Ardennes” Piraeus International Centre Award Seafarer of the Year Hellenic Chamber of Shipping Posidonia Exhibitions Seafarer of the Year Piraeus Marine Club Capt. Stylianos Peristerakis Seafarer of the Year Technical Innovation Award Technical Innovation Award Capt. Athanasios Pagkalos Capt. Dimitrios Manolas & Capt. Pavlos Kountouris Technical Innovation Award Award for Achievement in Safety Technava & University of the Aegean Hellenic Centre for Marine Research Award for Achievement in Safety Ulysses Systems or Environmental Protection Award for Achievement in Education or Training or Environmental Protection Award for Achievement in Safety Ship of the Year Ship of the Year Helmepa Helmepa “Nissos ” “Nissos Chios” The Tsakos Group or Environmental Protection Award for Achievement in Education or Training Award for Achievement in Safety Union of Greek Shipowners Award for Achievement in Safety Award for Achievement in Safety Professor Andreas Merikas Award for Achievement in Education or Training or Environmental Protection or Environmental Protection or Environmental Protection Hydra Maritime Academy Seafarer of the Year Lloyd’s List/Propeller Club Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. Elinoil Tsavliris Salvage Group Capt. John Lazarou Lifetime Achievement Award Lloyd’s List/ Propeller Club Deal of the Decade Lifetime Achievement Award Seafarer of the Year Seafarer of the Year Kyriakos Mamidakis Lifetime Achievement Award Angeliki Frangou Capt. John Stavrinakis Capt. George Carras Capt. Panagiotis Tsakos Greek Shipping Newsmaker of the Year Stavros Antonios Daifas Lloyd’s List/Propeller Club Lifetime Achievement Greek Shipping Newsmaker of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award Lifetime Achievement Award George Economou Greek Shipping Newsmaker of the Year Award The Onassis Foundation Pericles Panagopulos Anthony Argyropoulos Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Harry Vafias Alexandros Tourkolias Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Greek Shipping Newsmaker of the Year Greek Shipping Newsmaker of the Year Spyros M. Polemis Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Greek Shipping Newsmaker of the Year John Angelicoussis Angeliki Frangou George Economou Michael Bodouroglou Petros Pappas Special Award – Man of the Sea Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Lou Kollakis Capt. Vassilis Constantacopoulos John M. Carras George Prokopiou

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 h THE WINNERS h 44 THE WINNERS Greek Shipping Awards 2013 45 Nominated Ships

Exceptional year reflecting Clockwise from top-left: Elka Leblon, Nordic Orion, Ocean Rig Mylos and new diversity of Greek shipping Thalassa Hellas

WHILE the winners of the Greek Shipping commercial freighter to use the NorthWest TEN’s Rio 2016 and Brasil 2014, are by Awards are publicly unveiled each year at the Passage as a trade lane. repute the biggest and most sophisticated annual gala dinner, what about the other Among the vessels it was competing with product tankers ever built by Greek nominees? Unlike most awards events, there was Dynacom’s Ob River, the first liquefied companies. is no short-listing or announcement of finalists. natural gas carrier to transit the Arctic via the There were also new dual-fuel diesel But the 2013 Greek Shipping Awards broke Northern Sea Route. electric-powered LNG carriers, representing with this tradition - slightly. The gala dinner a spectacular drive by Greek owners into Would the judges be swayed by such exploits opened with a video giving glimpses of some new territory since 2010-11. or concentrate on the merits of brand-new of the vessels that were up for the Ship of ships built in the previous 12 months? A number of fine containerships were the Year Award (see page 23 for the winner). nominated, none more noteworthy than the There was a rich selection to choose from, In easily the most competitive ever contest Thalassa Hellas, first of a series of 10 new for the Ship of the Year Award, a large 2013 having been an exceptional one for 13,800 teu vessels ordered by Enesel for number of entrants met the category newbuilding deliveries to Greek companies. charter to Evergreen. In addition to being the description of being a new vessel They highlighted a marked diversification by largest boxship ever delivered to a Greek ‘noteworthy in terms of design, innovation, leading Greek shipowners from traditional owner, the vessel boasted extraordinary investment or efficiency.’ dry bulk and tanker sectors. green credentials and measures of efficiency. Also nominated were Greek-managed Nominees included suezmax DP2 shuttle A burgeoning interest in offshore shipping vessels that achieved extraordinary tankers for European Navigation and Tsakos was represented by the $600m Ocean Rig operational landmarks, such as the Seamar- Energy Navigation that have been deployed Mylos, a highly sophisticated DP3 drillship, managed Nordic Orion which in September on long term charters in Brazil. European the company’s first with 7th generation 2013 made history as the first mainstream Navigation’s Elka Leblon and Elka Parana, and enhancements.

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 47 Quotes from the Ceremony

SPONSOR Zhou Haisheng, China Classification Society: “Greek shipping has a long history and has made a significant contribution to Greek and world economics. The Greek Shipping Awards present us with a record of the outstanding success achieved by the Greek marine sector. Despite the tough market conditions today, What they said... Greece is still leading the world.” SPONSOR Dr. Anil Sharma, GMS Inc.: MINISTER Miltiadis Varvitsiotis: “I was told that this is the ‘Oscars’ of the shipping world, so I have done my part by “We have always believed that shipping is not dressing for the occasion.” only the area in which Greeks can achieve a lot, but it gives us two things, firstly pride in Greece, but it is also the sector in which Greece, if it uses its advantages, can help the country to come out of the crisis faster.”

WINNER Achilleas Constantakopoulos, WINNER Harry Vafias, Costamare Inc.: StealthGas Inc.: “I would like to dedicate this award to our “Please hire young talented people. There father, Capt Vassilis. His advice and example are so many out there with no jobs, with will always guide us.” PhDs and great knowledge looking for a job, so we must make way for the new generation.”

HOST Andriana SPONSOR Milena Pappas, Paraskevopoulou: Star Bulk Carriers Corp: “Greeks in shipping inspire by creating new “Financial institutions are the lifeline of our paths. They merge innovation with stamina business, without which shipping could not and they succeed. They dream all the things flourish. After a few difficult years it is crucial they finally dare to do. Winners ... unique that they are now returning to support us ... like each of you in this room tonight.” once again.”

WINNER John Pachoulis: SPONSOR Torsten Schramm, “I feel privileged to be part of the Greek Germanischer Lloyd: shipping family. Shipping in principle and “We have had a turbulent year in the industry shipbroking request hard work and we and these Awards are a valuable touchstone definitely need to assist the younger that brings us together to reconnect and generation, our successors, to keep the recognise the successes we have even in tradition that we have.” difficult times.”

GUEST Nafsica: WINNER John Xylas, “Even though I live in Manhattan, being from m/v “Ardennes”: Greece is still in my heart more than anything “Our motto is that we build ships to last, we and I hope that one day we will come back to do not buy slots. With this in mind we try to the glory of Greece how it used to be.” be counter-cyclical and find the right opportunity when shipyards are ready to listen and hungry for business.”

h THE WINNERS h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 h THE WINNERS h 48 Greek Shipping Awards 2013 49 Quotes from the Ceremony

WINNER Robert D. Somerville: “Let me tell you, it’s not easy getting a phone call and hear that you have won this award and SPONSOR Isabella Schidrich, go tell your wife that after 43 years with ABS The Nasdaq Stock Market: and never missing Thanksgiving home I’m going “Due to the great Greek hospitality I have to be gone for Thanksgiving.” to say that I’ve found a new home in Piraeus and Athens.”

SPONSOR George Zanias, National Bank of Greece: “As you know, personality and leadership WINNER Petros Pappas: make the difference more than anything else. “You do perhaps realise that I have been given This is particularly true in crisis situations and this award for having spent lots of mostly other in Greece we discover and re-discover this, people’s money during the last twelve months. unfortunately, in the hard way.” I remain cogniscent, however, that investing funds is one thing but creating value out of it is what really counts otherwise I would risk putting the carriage before the horse.” WINNER George Prokopiou: “I strongly believe that everybody at this gathering is in love with this field of business SPONSOR Rakesh Bitan (Billu), activity. For me shipping is a passion, my Wirana Shipping Corporation: hobby. For us Hellenes the sea excites us and “Let’s see who the lucky winner is ... any give us a unique attraction that is embedded guesses?” in our DNA over the depths of history.”

SPONSOR Dorothea Ioannou, The American Club: WINNER Alexandros Tourkolias: “We firmly believe that education is the key “Throughout my career the sea played a to success and it is the road for the next significant role. Shipping made me known generation and the generations to come and was what made me realise the from within the Greek shipping community qualifications and capabilites that I didn’t to continue to make fantastic strides in the even imagine I had. It also allowed me to industry” fully understand the creative power humans have in a very competitive environment.” SPONSOR George Xiradakis, XRTC Business Consultants: “Kazantzakis wrote: Greece still survives, I WINNER Capt. Ioannis think it survives due to consecutive miracles. Skopelitis, Small Cyclades Lines: One of the Greek miracles is this Greek “I dedicate this award to my family which shipping society and the Greek shipping supported me all these years in the easy, market.” and in the difficult, and in the VERY difficult times.”

SPONSOR Lambros Varnavides, Royal Bank of Scotland: WINNER George Achniotis, “I was remembering the first Greek Shipping Navios Corporation: awards earlier this evening which was held at the Hilton hotel. The thing that I remember “It’s so nice up here [on stage] you make us most of that evening was that there was a big feel like rock stars!” feeling of optimism in that community and I feel that optimism again tonight, so I hope next year we’ll have an even happier scenario for Greek shipping.”

h h Greek Shipping Awards 2013 THE WINNERS 51 The Judges

(Pictured left to right): John Coustas, George Gratsos, Andreas Tsavliris, Nigel Lowry, Decision makers: Efthimios Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, Themistocles Vokos, Mitropoulos and Haralambos Rea Metropoulou, Haralambos Fafalios, Fafalios exchange views Antonios Faraklas, Capt. John Halas

Panel of luminaries 2013 JUDGING PANEL In alphabetical order: who guarantee a John Coustas Chairman of Helmepa Haralambos Fafalios rigorous competition Chairman of the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee Antonios Faraklas WELL over 150 entities and individuals were introduced and that was also decided by Immediate Past President nominated for the 2013 Greek Shipping Lloyd’s List rather than the panel. of the Propeller Club, Awards, a record number that underlines the The composition of the panel is refreshed each International Port of Piraeus kudos that the trophies have acquired over the year, but a consistent feature has been the George Gratsos last decade, as well as the credibility of the high-standing of many of the luminaries who President of the Hellenic adjudication procedure. have agreed to give their time and lend their Chamber of Shipping The system is simple – but as fair and expertise to ensure award-winners emerge Capt. John Halas democratic as can be devised: anyone in the from a rigorous and competitive process that General Secretary of the wider maritime community can nominate, in takes into account various points of view. Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation writing, and there are few restrictions. In addition to bringing their collective Nigel Lowry Thereafter a panel representing the industry as knowledge to bear on assessing the field of Athens Correspondent of Lloyd’s List widely as possible sits in judgement to decide nominees for each award, the judges in effect Rea Metropoulou the eventual winners. act as guarantors of the integrity of the President of WISTA Hellas process. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos The exceptions are the Seafarer of the Year Secretary General Emeritus of the Award, where a short list of candidates is About 45 different individuals have now sat on International Maritime Organization proposed exclusively by the Hellenic Seamen’s the adjudication panels since the inauguration Federation (PNO), and the Newsmaker of the of the Greek Shipping Awards in 2004, an Andreas Tsavliris Year, which is decided directly by editorial staff important aspect of the plurality of the Immediate Past President of the of Lloyd’s List. decision-making process and the creation of a International Salvage Union level playing-field for recognition of various Themistocles Vokos In addition, for the 10th anniversary year, a types of achievement and merit. Chairman of Posidonia Exhibitions special ‘Deal of the Decade’ Award was

h THE WINNERS h 52 Greek Shipping Awards 2013