Aegean News THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF AEGEAN SUMMER 2003 Southeast Europe An Energy Map RAE Chairman Pantelis Kapros An Interview Greece's EU Presidency A Recap ChevronTexaco Greece New Horizons Plus Aegean Update Bunkering News Bunkering Forum A Strong Aegean Presence Aegean editorial Core Activities Greece's six-month EU Presidency has concentrat- ed a great deal of attention on Southeast Europe and Greece's role in the political, economic, and business Retail spheres. One of the primary areas that the Presidency ➔ More than 280 gas stations through- focused on was energy. As the entire Balkan region de- out Greece proudly display the AEGEAN velops, energy demands will grow accordingly and a logo, and our network is growing every week. AEGEAN's market share in Greece new set of political and economic relationships will is 4.5%. emerge. An interconnected energy network will ensure that supply is uninterrupted so that consumers' needs are met. The energy sector's major growth, however, Shipping ➔ AEGEAN manages a fleet of 26 tankers, will be the result of private investment and initiative. ranging from 3,500DWT to 100,000 AEGEAN has been following energy trends in the consumer and business DWT, that transfers and delivers oil to market as well as in the all-important shipping sector. We are responding not only our clients throughout the world. All to new dynamics within the market but to new regulations and standards so that our ships meet ISM standards. presence is forward looking and in the best interests of our partners and customers. Our strategies for growth and improved services reflect the opportunities in an en- Bunkering vironment that will be radically different in a few years. ➔ In Piraeus, Gibraltar, Venezuela, and In addition to providing the best products and services to our customers, the United Arab Emirates, AEGEAN is a leader in providing the best bunkering AEGEAN believes that community involvement creates relationships that help all of services available. In Piraeus AEGEAN us develop. For this reason, we have been active in supporting commercial projects, is the market leader in bunkering. cultural events, and NGOs in a variety of ways. AEGEAN will continue to support worthwhile efforts so that our community and the AEGEAN family become better acquainted. Agency Services ➔ Ships from throughout the world rely The tragic loss of Takis Kapsomenakis was a blow to all of us at AEGEAN. Takis on our agency services at Piraeus and will always be in our thoughts and prayers and will always be part of our family. Gibraltar 24/7, from loading and dis- ∆Ô honor his memory and to remember him on a daily basis, we renamed the newly- charging, to spare parts and supplies. acquired, double-hulled D/X ANAHUAC 32000 DWT “CAPTAIN TAKIS.” I wish everyone a safe, happy, and joyful summer season and look forward to re- Lubricants newed cooperation in the autumn. ➔ AEGEAN exclusively stocks and sells ChevronTexaco automotive lubricants throughout its retail network. DIMITRIS MELISSANIDIS SUMMER 2003 AEGEAN NEWS 1 contents Pantelis Kapros, Aegean News explores Aegean's new van Chairman of RAE, energy connections initiative is aimed 8 discusses current 12 throughout the 18 at guaranteeing the energy topics at a Balkans. quality of products time of swift change. and services. 4 AEGEAN UPDATE 22 AGENCY NEWS Summer 2003 6 FLOWS & CURRENTS Nikolaos Firippis with an Agency Update Aegean News is published Trends and News in the oil and energy fields 23 HELLENIC SLOPS quarterly by AEGEAN 8 INTERVIEW Maintaining Environmental Standards MANAGING EDITOR Raymond Matera Pantelis Kapros, Chairman of the Regulating 24 AEGEAN PEOPLE CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Authority for Energy, speaks to Aegean News 25 STATION OF THE MONTH George Fintikakis 11 GIBRALTAR LAYOUT AND PRODUCTION 26 EU NOTEBOOK An Important Location for Aegean Multimedia S.A. Greece's Presidency PRINTING AND BINDING 12 SOUTHEAST EUROPE A. Psillidis & Co. 28 MARINE TRADITIONS ∞n Energy Map OWNER The Ancient Trireme Aegean 16 A WIN-WIN RELATIONSHIP 29 FORUM 51 Akti Miaouli Street An interview with George Kandylis, Managing 185 36 Piraeus, Greece Paul Psomiades, President and CEO of the Aspis Tel: +30 210 429 2530 Director of ChevronTexaco Greek Affiliate Fax: +30 210 429 3074 Group of Companies E-Mail: [email protected] 18 CONTINUED GROWTH IN 30 TRAVEL Internet: www.aegeanoil.gr MARKET SHARE Halkidiki: Forests and Seas Meet Under the Konstantinos Poursanidis on the Domestic Comments and suggestions Mediterranean Sun are welcomed. Market and Aegean's New Policies 31 THE AEGEAN IMAGE Aegean News is free of charge 20 BUNKERING and is available, subject to Products that say "We're different" availability, to any interested per- Gregory Robolakis on Fluctuations in Platts' son or organization. Prices and the importance of Sulphur in Fuels 32 AEGEAN PROFILE SUMMER 2003 AEGEAN NEWS 3 AEGEAN UPDATE Aegean Sponsors Panayiotis Andrew Natsios Presentation Kapsomenakis Aegean sponsored the presentation of 1965-2003 Andrew Natsios (photo-L), Adminis- trator of USAID, who spoke at an Panagiotis "Takis" Kapsomenakis died June 2 American-Hellenic Chamber of Com- in a traffic accident in Peristeri. Takis was merce event on May 22 at the Athens Operations Manager at Aegean since 1998. Hilton. USAID (the U.S. Agency for In- Dimitris Melissanidis, Chairman of Aegean, ternational Development) provides eco- said, "Takis was one of the best employees in the nomic, development and humanitarian company and his energy, smile, and cooperative spirit will be sorely missed. assistance around the world in support Everyone at Aegean extends their heartfelt condolences to Takis' family during of the foreign policy goals of the United this very difficult period and all our prayers are with them." Mr. Kapsomenakis States. Mr. Natsios discussed opportuni- leaves a wife, Elena, his parents, and a brother. ties that Greek companies have to par- Aegean Sponsors IPA Event in Alexandroupolis The Hellas Section, Region of Alexandroupolis, of the International Police As- sociation (IPA) hosted a meeting in Alexandroupolis on June 6 and 11 at which the Police Force of Larnaca, Cyprus was inducted into the IPA. Aegean was a sponsor of the events at which the leadership of the Cypriot Police Force and representatives of the Cypriot Ministry of Justice attended. Ioannis Pistolis wel- comed the more than 50 delegates on behalf of Dimitris Melissanidis, Chair- man of Aegean, to Aegean's facilities in Alexandroupolis and was honored by ticipate in the reconstruction of Iraq and the delegates at the formal ceremony. Mr. Pistolis is manager of the Aegean of- spoke about a variety of programs that fice in Alexandroupolis. USAID sponsors in Southeast Europe. The IPA was formed in 1950 as a non-partisan association to promote Dimitris Melissanidis (photo-R), friendship, cooperation, and solidarity among police officers throughout the Chairman of Aegean, met with Mr. world. Greece has been a member since 1966. Michael Pitiakoudis is Presi- Natsios prior to the official presentation, dent of IPA's Alexandroupolis branch and Dimosthenis Marinididis is Secre- and reviewed the current environment tary General. in Iraq and Southeast Europe. Aegean Marine Petroleum Sponsors Conference Reception Aegean Marine Petroleum sponsored the opening reception at the 2nd International Shipping and Bunkering Conference held June 3-5 at the Astir Palace Resort in Vouliagmeni. Industry leaders addressed a number of wide-ranging issues that the bunkering and shipping industries face. In shipping, discussions focused on the cruise and freight markets and legal implications of ship and technical and credit topics, and face-to-face ses- port safety codes. Bunkering issues included legal sions with international ship owners, suppliers, case studies in the event of business failures, traders, and brokers. 4 AEGEAN NEWS SUMMER 2003 Holidays 2003 Aegean Supports The Guide Concert Holidays 2003: The Guide is the title of a 64-page Vasillis Lekkas, one of Greece's most guide to summer in Greece and beyond, an insert in admired interpreters of the music of Manos Hatzidakis, was to perform the June 22nd edition of Eleftherotypia on Sunday at the Ancient Agora on July 27. that was sponsored by Aegean. The summer guide of- Aegean is supporting the concert, fers information on Greece's islands, alternative holi- organized under the auspices of the days that include rafting, trekking, and rock climbing, Ministry of Health. and a guide to chartering a yacht for independent sail- ing vacations. The compact booklet makes a handy companion for those who want to explore Greece's many wonderful beaches, mountains, and resorts. Aegean Tops Growth Association of Pontians in Athens For the third consecutive year, Aegean led in the growth of fuel sales in Greece. More than 250 Athenians of Pontian origin a vacuum that has long existed in Athens. According to figures released by the gathered at the Grande Bretagne Hotel June Harry Klin, Achilleas Aslanidis, Takis Ministry of Development, Aegean's 25 to inaugurate the Pontian Association Loukanidis, Elias Atmatzidis, Alkis Pas- sales of gasoline and diesel (automotive of Athens (Euxinos) dedicated to preserv- salidis, Pavlos Kontoyiannidis, Kostas and heating) grew to 355,010 MT in ing the rich Pontian heritage and integrat- Nestoridis, Savvas Kalenteridis, Anonis 2002, up from 282,798 MT in 2001, ing it into the Athenian political and cul- Antoniadis, Polychronos Enepekidis, Sofia an increase of 25.6%. tural landscape. Many Pontians are promi- Iordanidou, and many other Athenians of nent members of Athenian society and are Pontian origin attended the event which leaders in business, the arts, politics, sci- featured Pontian dance and music. ence, athletics, and community affairs. Logging On Dimitris Melissanidis, Chairman of Customers and associates of Aegean Aegean, is President of the Association's may visit the company's web site provisional Executive Committee. During [www.aegeanoil.gr] to learn about the his address to the members, Mr.