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Technomar Shipping Inc., the technical manager of 97 ships, including the 68 containership fleet of Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE: GSL), and RINA, the inspection, certification and consulting engineering multinational, announced Technomar’s successful completion of the “RINA Cyber Security - Verification for ships in service” and the award of the certificate. The handover ceremony took place at the RINA Booth during the Posidonia international shipping exhibition in Athens.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from Technomar, RINA, and Global Ship Lease. Mr. Thomas Lister, CEO of Global Ship Lease, Mr. Paminos Youroukos, Strategic Planning & Compliance Executive at Technomar Shipping Inc. and Aggelos Karantonis, Vessels IT Manager at Technomar Shipping Inc, were present to receive the certificate. From RINA, Mr. Giosuè Vezzuto, Marine Executive Vice President, and Mr. Spyridon Zolotas, South Europe & MEA Marine Senior Director, officiated the event.
The “RINA Cyber Security - Verification for ships in service” is a testament to Technomar’s commitment to managing cyber risks with appropriate policies, procedures, and technical controls onboard. This certification ensures alignment with IMO, IACS requirements, and industry best practices. It is particularly noteworthy as it addresses the operational need for ships in service, which will continue to be in use for many years, to have a similar level of cybersecurity protection as newbuilds.
Mr. Paminos Youroukos, Strategic Planning & Compliance Executive at Technomar Shipping Inc., commented “Our customers, such as Global Ship Lease, are increasingly focused on using high frequency operational data to drive energy efficiency gains and decarbonization across their fleets. At Technomar, we are supporting these initiatives by proactively upgrading cybersecurity infrastructure onboard, integrating advanced technologies, and investing in our people to ensure that they are well-equipped to safely manage the technology and associated processes and procedures. Through RINA’s verification we are pleased to attest and certify the level of security achieved, ensuring that our ships in service, personnel, and operations are properly protected.”
Michael Vrettos, Senior Cyber Security Expert at RINA, said “Cybersecurity is crucial for forward-thinking companies like Technomar, which leverage digital tools to enhance operational performance and onboard connectivity. Given that cyber threats target both active vessels and new builds indiscriminately, Technomar’s successful completion of the Verification process is significant.
It confirms that the company is not only secure in the present but also well-prepared for future challenges” RINA, leading certification and engineering company, provides a wide range of services across the Energy, Marine, Infrastructure & Mobility, Certification, Industry and Real Estate sectors. In December 2023, alongside the majority shareholder Registro Italiano Navale, Fondo Italiano d’Investimento SGR entered the shareholding structure guiding a pool of co-investors. With revenues in 2023 of 797 million euros, 5,800 employees and 200 offices in 70 countries worldwide, RINA is a member of key international organizations and an important contributor to the development of new legislative standards.
Image: from left to right: George Giannopoulos, Chief Comlpiance Officer at Global Ship Lease Inc. , Thomas Lister, CEO at Global Ship Lease Inc., Giosue Vezzuto, Marine Executive Vice President RINA Services, Paminos Youroukos, Strategic Planning & Compliance Executive at Technomar Shipping Inc., Michail Vrettos, Senior Cyber Security Expert at RINA and Angelos Karantonis, Vessels IT Manager at Technomar Shipping Inc.
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PPA S.A.: Release of the 2023 Sustainability Report
Piraeus Port Authority S.A., adhering to systematic rules, standards and initiatives for environmental, social and corporate governance, which are embedded in its strategy for the development and ongoing modernization of the Port of Piraeus, has published its 2023 Sustainability Report.
While achieving its core business objectives of establishing a modern, resilient and competitive company that offers high-level services across all port activities, PPA S.A. simultaneously and systematically implements its ESG action plan. This plan ensures that actions are balanced across the three pillars on an annual basis.
Indicatively, in 2023, the company contributed over 500 thousand euros to corporate responsibility initiatives and social support actions, while the total energy consumption decreased by 7% compared to 2022.
The CEO of PPA S.A., Mr. Su Xudong, underlined the importance of ESG reporting, stating that for ensuring a strong and resilient company over time, sustainable development is the only path. According to the CEO, economic growth and progress must necessarily go hand in hand with environmental protection and giving back to society. Therefore, the company has long been implementing its comprehensive program, which includes preventive measures for the protection of the environment, sustainable practices, as well as various actions to support society and vulnerable individuals, and to enhance and develop employees through transparency and good corporate governance.
The 2023 Report, accessible on the company's website, provides detailed insights into Piraeus Port Authority S.A.'s goals, actions and achievements across each action pillar.
Finally, it is highlighted that PPA S.A. has received recognition for the third consecutive year as one of Greece's most sustainable companies from the QualityNet Foundation, based on its annual assessment and performance in the three ESG pillars.
About PPA S.A.
Piraeus Port Authority SA is an Athens Stock Exchange listed company engaged in the management and operation of Piraeus port, Greece’s largest port and one of the largest integrated harbours in Europe, providing a complete range of services. Some of the company’s activities involve cruise, coastal (ferry/passenger), container and car terminal services, as well as general cargo, ship repair, logistic and free zone services. The main shareholder of Piraeus Port Authority S.A., with a stake of 67 percent, is COSCO SHIPPING, one of the largest maritime companies in the world.
Over the last decade the company has experienced a remarkable growth in all port activities, which is still underway, largely contributing to the country’s economy, while driven by green development and increased digitalization, alongside a people-first approach and a spirit of giving back to the society.
PPA is a member of “ECO PORTS”, holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 50001:2018 Certifications, is included in the Athens Stock Exchange ESG index and is one of the “Most Sustainable Companies in Greece 2024”.
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Columbia Shipmanagement Monaco Forum The maritime world is digitising, so now is the time for collaboration
The maritime industry will take advantage of the benefits that creating a unified digital language and standards will bring because every industry now has to be digitised, according to Sergio Colella, European President of the aviation technology giant SITA and the Chairman of SmartSea.
Addressing the Columbia Shipmanagement Monaco Forum at the Yacht Club de Monaco, which was held in partnership with the marine energy solutions provider Baseblue, delegates were told that SITA proved that collaboration could work in the aviation industry so maritime needs to do the same.
The forum debate, entitled A single digital voice: Unlocking True Optimisation in Shipping, was attended by representatives of the Monaco shipping industry. Speakers included Sergio Colella, President of SITA, Europe & Chairman of SmartSea; Julian Panter, CEO of SmartSea; Pankaj Sharma, Managing Director of OneLink; Faouzi Fradi, Group Director of Crewing and Training at the Columbia Group; and Nicholas Argyrou, Key Account Director at Baseblue.
Opening the conference, Mark O’Neil, President and CEO of the Columbia Group, told delegates to “imagine a world where cargo talks to vessels, vessels talk to ports and terminals, terminals talk to planes, trains and haulage and the ultimate customer has complete transparency over the whole process. Imagine the levels of optimisation which could be driven through that entire process".
He warned delegates that unless shipping embraced the digital change that was happening now across other industries such as aviation, “it would be swallowed up by the logistics platforms”.
“The logistics industry is consolidating with liner companies buying up railway and airline assets; buying up haulage companies and integrating their logistics frameworks and the fear is that unless we embrace the change now, we will be swallowed up, apart from the niche players amongst us,” he said.
“Maritime has traditionally been a siloed industry when it comes to digitisation initiatives and there has always been an apprehension to collaborate amongst the main players within the sector when it comes to data sharing and the unified development of technology for the greater good of the industry,” said Julian Panter, CEO of SmartSea. “But it is all about collaboration, as SITA proved in aviation and maritime needs to do it too.”
SmartSea has been set up by SITA with the Columbia Group as the anchor client, to bring globally trusted transport technology and innovation to the maritime sector to revolutionise and drive it forward just as it does in the air transport sector.
SmartSea, powered by SITA, has set out to digitise the maritime industry by transforming the maritime digital ecosystem through the development of a state-of-the-art integrated maritime management platform (iMMP) and the establishment of a broad portfolio of services both onboard and ashore.
“Having a common IT backbone, a common language with us all, would be a game changer for our industry,” said Mr Panter. “Technology can be the maritime industries ultimate enabler in terms of revolutionising the way things are done. Imagine a world where the key stakeholders across the value chain are all connected digitally through one common set of digital standards, platforms and frameworks. How much more efficient would we be.
“Rather like in the aviation sector, the recipe for success will be the ability for the maritime industry to unite and collaboratively effect change, which is why SmartSea should be an organisation owned by industry players in the same way SITA is owned by the airports and airlines. We are open to talking to key stakeholders who will be interested in joining SmartSea as shareholders,” he added.
The need for a common digital platform was echoed by Capt Faouzi Fradi, Group Director of Crewing and Training at Columbia Group, who said: “One of the biggest challenges is moving people. But it cannot be more complicated than moving plane crews; we just don’t have the technology. We lack a platform that allows all this data to be stored in one place.”
Capt Faouzi questioned whether the maritime sector is too conservative while arguing that the integration of technology simplifies the process if the industry adopts a unified digital solution. Columbia Group uses SmartSea to address some of these challenges.
Nicholas Argyrou, Key Account Director at Baseblue, added to the debate by citing the advances made in Singapore through the introduction of the bunker mass flow meter. “It determines how much fuel has been taken, a message is sent instantaneously to the port authority, and within five minutes, an invoice is drawn up,” he said.
He also noted that when you receive a Noon report, you get a variety of different quality reports. Some shipowners use consultants to simplify and clean the data. Mr. Argyrou believes technology is a great equaliser and something that Baseblue embraces.
“Working with SmartSea in the short term is recommended, rather than waiting for the development of the iMMP, as SmartSea can work immediately with clients in areas such as the optimising of their current technology infrastructure on vessels, in ports and terminals, but also the IT outsourcing (ITO) of clients’ office-based services, said Julian Panter, CEO of SmartSea.
“SITA has experience of managing the full IT services of complex and large organisations like Heathrow Airport. Imagine how much value SmartSea can leverage from SITA to dramatically improve the office-based IT in clients offices. Furthermore, SmartSea will be unifying the industry across the technology value chain in the same way SITA has done within aviation, so its critical clients are working with SmartSea now so we can build the full technology eco-system together, but also to ensure clients are compatible with future developments.”
To summarise, it was very clear that the panel of experts from various sides of the maritime industry were unanimous in their thoughts on the industry needing to embrace technology in order to lift the sector. Creating unified systems, common digital standards and languages rather like the ecosystem that SITA has built with the airlines, airports and boarders/immigration, will give the maritime sector a great chance of dramatically improving efficiencies, costs, service and productivity. In order to effect change though, this is an industry-wide effort and rather like in aviation where the airlines have shareholding in SITA, the same business model should be implemented in the maritime industry. The consolidated industry stakeholders need to unite and address the technology shift together.
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Schulte Group expands emissions management offering
The new Schulte Group member company, Ocean Opt, has been established as a one-stop solution for emissions management for ship managers, owners and charterers. The company offers independent consultancy, data management and platform-based services tailored for fleet performance optimisation, emission trading systems and regulatory compliance including the upcoming FuelEU Maritime regulation.
Ocean Opt underscores the Schulte Group’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The new entity has been launched as the pressure on the maritime industry increases to demonstrate measurable progress toward climate neutrality. Following the introduction of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating scheme and Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) in 2023, effective this year, the shipping industry has been included to the European Union’s emissions trading system (EU ETS), which will have a major financial impact on shipping from 2025. While the industry is still busy adjusting to EU ETS, the next challenge is already on the horizon with FuelEU Maritime. In preparation for this new EU regulation, the monitoring plans for ships calling the EU must be submitted to authorised verifiers by end of August.
“Efforts to decarbonise the shipping industry keep intensifying. Within the Schulte Group, we have over 300 vessels under contract for performance optimisation. In addition, we already had 200 vessels under EU ETS subscription before the 2024 implementation of the EU ETS directive and we see more and more requests coming in from the market. This is why Ocean Opt has been established. Our aim is to offer our services to a broader client base, including for example ship owners who do their ship management inhouse,” says Ian Beveridge, CEO of the Schulte Group.
“Decarbonising the shipping industry is here to stay and rightly so. Building on our team’s expertise, Ocean Opt’s focus lies on empowering our clients to navigate the complexities of emissions tracking, reduction and compliance with ease,” says Anil Jacob, Managing Director of Ocean Opt.
“All our services are supported by our bespoke performance analysis and emissions management platform that is based on our fleet performance and emissions monitoring software developed by our cooperation partner MariApps Marine Solutions. The more precise the data, the more realistic and cost-efficient are our recommendations for the concrete actions needed to optimise performance, reduce emissions, reach compliance and, most importantly, stay competitive,” he concludes.
Image: Anil Jacob, Managing Director of Ocean Opt
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A multi-faceted, comprehensive conference programme addressing the industry’s most pressing issues will once again captivate SMM visitors this year. The leading international maritime trade fair will put decarbonisation, digitalisation, recruiting as well as maritime security and defence at the top of its agenda. For the first time, the conferences will be freely accessible to all visitors and take place on the four Transition Stages in the exhibition halls: Green Stage, Open Stage, Cruise & Ferry Stage and Digital & Security Stage. An overview of the conference highlights.
From 3 to 6 September, SMM in Hamburg will open its gates to more than 40,000 participants from 120 different countries. With over 2,000 exhibitors from 70 countries as well as a first-rate stage programme focused on the industry’s most important topics, SMM is the world’s maritime flagship fair. “SMM is more than just a trade fair. It is a platform for sharing innovations and new ideas that will move the maritime sector forward. This is where thought leaders and pioneers meet to set the pace for the future of shipping,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director – Maritime and Technology Fairs at Hamburg Messe und Congress. “At our five conferences, international experts will discuss the key concerns of the industry. As a major novelty, the conferences will be held on the freely-accessible Transition Stages in the exhibition halls for the first time. This means that all participants will be able to attend the panel discussions and lectures free of charge,” explains Selbach. In addition, numerous Stage Sessions will be held to provide profound insights into the core topics on the stages Green Stage (Hall B4), Open Stage (Hall B2.OG), Cruise & Ferry Stage (Hall B5) and Digital & Security Stage (Hall B6).
Decarbonisation
At gmec – Global Maritime Environmental Congress, moderated by Nick Chubb, the CEO of the British technology company Thetius, Nicola Good, Head of Brand and External Relations at classification society Lloyd's Register, and Gunnar Stiesch, Chief Technical Officer of MAN Energy Solutions, will discuss ways to accelerate decarbonisation. The British company Signol believes in using software to help crews adopt fuel-saving behaviour patterns. Head of Maritime Harriet Hunnisett-Johnson, a former seafarer herself, will explain the concept. “Sustainability needs for the ocean we want” is the theme of this year’s Offshore Dialogue, hosted by Gesellschaft für Maritime Technik (GMT). Its two panel discussions, “Offshore Energy” and “Offshore Resilience”, will explore the climate change processes happening in the oceans, and how digitalisation can help achieve the climate goals. The importance of offshore wind farms for the global energy transition will be the subject of a discussion between Professor Sören Ehlers, Director of the DLR Institute of Maritime Energy Systems, and his guests. Further speakers will include the Federal Government’s Coordinator for the Maritime Industry, Dieter Janecek, Torgeir Sterri, Offshore Classification Director at DNV Maritime, and Erik Seidelmann from Canada-based Current Scientific Corporation. The quest for suitable alternative propulsion concepts will be on the agenda of several Stage Sessions. The British company Core Power has tabled a proposition that is hotly debated in the industry: to introduce nuclear power to commercial shipping. Other alternative fuels will be discussed during the session “Propulsion of the Future – what will power future global trade?” Experts on the panel “Green Fuels for the Maritime Sector – Integrating Vessel Demands in the Future Fuel Supply Chain“ will stress the importance of ensuring a reliable fuel supply for future shipping.
Digitalisation
Digitalisation and the role of AI will be in focus at the Maritime Future Summit. Titled “Smart is Green”, the conference will gather numerous pre-eminent experts in the digital field. Dimitry Ponkaratov, Director at Siemens Digital Industries Software UK, will explain how digital twins can save fuel. Helle Vines Ertsås, Global Category Manager of coating specialist Jotun, will present an innovative AI-based solution for vessels operating in regions with a high risk of hull fouling. Dr. Amy Parkes from Arcsiela Partner LLP will explain the potential benefits of AI for ship operations. On the Digital & Security Stage, researchers and practitioners will report about the potential as well as limitations of additive manufacturing in the maritime sector, moderated by AM/3D Printing Concepts & Market Integration. The future prospects of autonomous shipping in Germany will be the subject of a discussion between port managers and engineers in a session titled “Steering Future – the future of autonomous navigation in Germany”.
Recruiting
The shortage of skilled labour hinders industrial growth, and the maritime sector is not an exception – reason enough for SMM to call broad attention to the subject. Whether ferry operations or port management, the objective is to show young talents how attractive the maritime industry is and what career opportunities it offers. A Stage Session organised by thilles consulting will address employer and industry branding. At the Career Forum, leading maritime organisations and universities will provide information about career paths in shipping and maritime education programmes.
Maritime Security & Defence
The agenda at MS&D – international conference on maritime security and defence will not only cover the latest trends in naval shipbuilding but also geostrategic issues. Panel members will include public figures such as former Ukrainian deputy minister of defence, Igor Kabanenko, and Dr Jyh-Shyang Sheu from the Taiwanese Institute for National Defence and Security Research. In their conversation with Dr Sarah Kirchberger, Director of the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University, both will provide first-hand security assessments of two crisis or war situations. Maritime security and the protection of maritime infrastructure are among the concerns voiced by corporate consultant and Reserve Corvette Captain Dr Moritz Brake. Australian retired Major General Mick Ryan, expert at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, will explain the tasks of navies in complex operations. At the Maritime Innovation Challenge, small enterprises and start-ups will pitch their best ideas and technologies for maritime security and defence.
Further topics at SMM:
Ship Finance
Hosted by the industry magazine TradeWinds, the TradeWinds Shipowners Forum is the only remaining conference that charges an admission fee. Editor-in-chief Julian Bray will discuss with industry experts. Investment challenges in uncertain times will be the topic of an exchange of views with VDR President Gaby Bornheim, Reederei Nord CEO Kurt Klemme, and Constantin Baack, CEO of MPC Container Ships. Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV Maritime, will explore sustainable innovations the shipping sector should apply today. gmec, the environmental conference, will examine pathways to financing sustainable ship operations.
Cruise & Ferry
A session titled “Designing Ships – An Annual Update” will look at trends in cruise ship interior outfitting and architecture. Ship designers and representatives of cruise operators will identify challenges to the decarbonisation of river cruise ships and chart a course into the future of cruise shipping. The SMM has been able to secure the international cruise industry association CLIA as a partner for this field.
About SMM
The leading international maritime trade fair takes place in Hamburg from 3 to 6 September 2024. More than 2,000 exhibiting companies and around 40,000 visitors from over 120 countries are expected to attend. Covering the entire value chain of the maritime industry on 90,000 m² in twelve exhibition halls, SMM is the world’s foremost platform for innovation and the latest technologies in the maritime sector that brings together business leaders from around the world. Themed “SMM – driving the maritime transition”, the 31st SMM will focus on the maritime energy transition and digital transformation. An attractive conference programme and a wide range of networking opportunities will supplement the exhibition. For the first time, the conferences will take place on open stages inside the exhibition halls – free of charge, and accessible to all fair visitors.
Image1: © Hamburg Messe und Congress / Nicolas Maack
Image2: © Hamburg Messe und Congress / Hartmut Zielke
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Naftomar is looking to be a pioneer in the green ammonia space, as new supply and value chains for low carbon fuels start to develop.
The project will work to help ensure a modern VLAC design, to be engaged in the trade of green ammonia, can be safely built to operate with both LPG and ammonia as fuel. The project will use the current Bureau Veritas Rules for ammonia NR 671 as fuel as the basis for helping ensure safety. The focus will be on global safety aspects but specifically including: the ammonia fuel supply system, leak detection, ammonia fuel containment and ammonia bunkering including hazard identification (HAZID) workshops.
Vassilios Dimoulas, Bureau Veritas Technology and Innovation Director said that this is an important project to work with the owner and shipyard to provide a safe pathway to enable a ship designed to carry ammonia, to run on ammonia as fuel. The challenges are specific to ammonia but the process of using a risk based approach and alternative design concepts are ones proven with our decades of work in the seaborne trade in LNG and LNG as fuel – but, we must emphasize, the challenges of ammonia are very different to those of LNG.’
Using the Bureau Veritas ammonia Rules is critical given that international regulatory requirements for ammonia as a fuel are still in development.
In November 2023 Naftomar Shipping & Trading confirmed an order at Hanwha Ocean for four 93,000 cbm VLACs for delivery starting in 2026.
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The increase in tonne-miles is very significant especially for the container, bulk and tanker sector.
Whilst it was felt that the Chinese economy was moving uncertainly, the imports of cargo into China have been larger than ever and demand has held up appropriately.
This year, being a time when over 60% of the world is having elections, we have had varying unusual results around the globe. Russia remained the same, South Africa realized that change was necessary, Europe has moved significantly to the right, the U.K. will move to the left and America has a choice of candidates whose policies are well known and are unlikely to change much.
However, this does not mean that a growing world population does not need to engage further in world trade in order to house, feed and equip all these people. Climatically the Panama Canal seems to be slowly recovering but world shipping is still doing its best to compensate from disruption caused by longer port stays and less efficient infrastructure systems.
Whilst global economic prospects seem more stable, interest rates are not subsiding and remaining at relative high levels.
Looking at the specific markets, the Tanker sector had a very acceptable and lucrative year.
The Container market, which started the year in a bit of a subdued state is now doing very well with little overcapacity, significant port delays and much higher freight rates.
Whilst the L.N.G. sector remained stable, the L.P.G. market enjoyed its best ever year over the last 12 months.
The Car Carrier market is still very active, even with an ever-growing orderbook.
Whilst the Dry Bulk market has improved from last year, it is not doing as well as the orderbook would suggest. It is still at the mercy of a volatile FFA market and this suffers large fluctuations on an irregular basis.
Within this environment, the Greek Merchant fleet has been significantly selling older tanker and bulk carriers and ordering large numbers of newbuildings.
The orders are mainly for tankers large and small, larger bulk carriers and a fair number of gas carriers, both L.P.G. and L.N.G.
Since the global container orderbook is already at very high levels, the Greek orderbook has not substantially increased this year.
The Greek Fleet, being among the two largest in the world, is being renewed with a combination of high technology newbuildings as well as a fair number of dual-fuel ready ships.
Yet again, the fleet average age is falling and its GHG efficiency is rising. By virtue of its predominant position in the tramp shipping market, the Greek merchant fleet is always the first to adapt to changing global requirements and takes heed of all new regulations, whether global or regional. It is very important to stress that the Greek fleet represents over 60% of the total EU tonnage and that it is strategically vital to meet the EU’s needs.
With this in mind, we stress the importance of supporting the global marine regulator, the IMO, which has to take a practical and balanced attitude to all legalisation, as opposed to some of the more political elements of some regional legislators which do not have the knowledge to see the bigger picture.
The G.S.C.C. itself is always at the forefront of keeping its members closely informed of all these developments and lobbying at the highest levels in order to bring about a coherent legislative program.
The frustration felt by the tramp shipping sector which makes up the majority of the world fleet, is very visible as no global, definitive solutions are found to the decarbonization goal.
A multitude of different fuels with no global bunkering network and a still high well to wake carbon footprint makes the decision of which way to jump nigh on impossible.
However, in the meantime, technically sophisticated Owners are adopting all the latest hull and machinery innovations to make the world fleet’s footprint even greener.
Whilst ETS and CII have been shown to be unfit as incentives, a straight forward Fuel Levy, albeit re-named so as to be mutually acceptable, will still be the best way to bring about our 2040 and 2050 goals.
Apart from quantifying the carbon emissions and discussing a company’s program for decarbonization, most, if not all, well-run shipping companies have carried out these tasks on their own in an efficient, well-organized manner for many years. They have quietly carried out their ESG obligations without fanfare!
This organization will not move forward if it does not increase its transparency and accountability. Otherwise, it just adds a layer of bureaucracy without significantly improving the safety of seafarers and ships. Flag, Class, and Port State already carry out all of these tasks in a professional and maritime manner with decades, not to say centuries, of experience.
We continue to stress the importance of a vibrant public and privately funded maritime education sector in Greece. It is a crucial element in the Greek Maritime cluster, and without it, Greece will not remain the epicentre of global ship management.
As the Greek fleet itself continues to become more sophisticated, and Greek companies invest in more and more ship types, it is imperative to be able to man them with Greek officers and crew.
The government must legislate for the creation of privately run schools to flourish and more investment in state-funded schools. Particular problems to be addressed are the low numbers and pay of the teaching staff in the Greek maritime academies. These are stifling the number of entrants annually.
One of the greatest strengths of the Greek shipping industry over the last half-century has been the close relationship between the Greek Shipping industry and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy, the Hellenic Coast Guard, and, of course, the Government itself.
Not undermining the progress already made towards the digitalization and the reduction of bureaucracy, we urge the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy to drastically reduce the bureaucratic burden involved with vessels flying the Greek Flag or it will lose its significance for Greek Managed Shipping. Actions are needed and not just promises.
Without the appreciation of how strong this link is, the Greek maritime cluster would not be as prominent as it is, and shipping would not hold the position of Greece’s second most important export industry. The link must be maintained going forward to guarantee a vibrant maritime sector.
Apart from its close and warm links with the Union of Greek Ship Owners in Greece, the G.S.C.C. prides itself on maintaining a close dialogue with all major international maritime organizations, such as the I.M.O., I.C.S., INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, BIMCO, the EU, national governments, MEPs and the International Group of P&I Clubs. We have P&I Club Chairmen and Directors on our Council.
Our relationship with senior IACS members is also very close, not least due to our presence as individual members on the boards of many National and International Committees of leading Classification Societies. We also work together with them to press for ever higher vessel standards in construction and operation.
Being based in London gives us the opportunity to keep close contact with the IMO, the Baltic Exchange (the world’s leading shipping indices provider), the UK Chamber of Shipping, Maritime London, and other London-based organizations.
We look forward again to LISW 2025.
Finally, I would like to thank our Member Offices for their support, the Council, and the Secretariat for their hard work. Their efforts allow us to continue keeping our membership well-informed and lobby on a global basis in favour of positive practical legislation. When legislation is negative, we make our opinion very well-known, backing it up with well-reasoned arguments.
I am particularly grateful to our Vice-Chairmen, Constantinos Caroussis, John M. Lyras and Nikolas P. Tsakos, our Honorary Chairman Epaminondas Embiricos, our Honorary Vice Chairman Spyros Polemis our Treasurer Diamantis Lemos and Deputy Treasurer Dimitri Frank Saracakis.
Sadly, this year we lost one of our most distinguished colleagues and friend, Stathes Kulukundis. Stathes served the G.S.C.C. with great distinction for over 40 years and in that time represented Greek Shipping at the highest levels. We will miss his presence immensely.
My special thanks go to John Hadjipateras, George Embiricos, Filippos Lemos, Alex Hadjipateras and Basil Mavroleon, without whom our monthly reports and other documents would not be as professionally prepared as they are.
Our technical subcommittee headed by Dimitri Monioudis has proven extremely popular and effective, with active participation by senior technical officers of member companies in the U.K. and Greece, as well as achieving wider input from our extensive contact network within the global maritime community (e.g., classification societies, consultants, shipbuilders and propulsion manufacturers).
Our Director, Konstantinos Amarantidis, assisted by Maria Syllignaki and Vasso Giadikiaroglou continues to run the Committee smoothly and very professionally and I thank them for their sterling efforts.
As always, I wish to thank all the seafarers in the world, whose perseverance and sacrifice during these difficult times has been legendary. Without them, world seaborne trade would not be able to take place in the efficient and seamless way that exists today”.
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George Procopiou, Chairman of the Committee, welcomed the participants, followed by Matthieu de Tugny, who presented BV’s activities and latest initiatives. He detailed BV Group’s activities and shared the benefits of the breadth of activity across BV’s operations – Building & Infrastructure, Certification, Agrifood & Commodities, Consumer Products and Industry. He also spoke about the ever-changing and demanding shipping industry landscape, focusing on BV’s expertise and technical excellence.
Dr John Kokarakis, Technical Director of SEEBA Zone at BV Marine & Offshore, gave a thorough presentation on the regulatory framework of the EU and IMO, complemented by examples of their effects on vessel running costs. He was followed by Benjamin Lechaptois, Head of Future Shipping Team at BV Marine & Offshore, who addressed the question as to whether the IMO GHG targets can be met and how.
The second part of the Committee commenced with Ghigo Ravano, Executive Chairman of Ifchor Galbraiths, who made an insightful presentation on the current situation of the market and on the macro picture in the age of uncertainty. George-Paul Perantzakis, Fleet & Technical Director of Naftomar, spoke about the future trade and seaborne movement of ammonia, examining related opportunities and challenges.
A very interesting section about plastics in the oceans followed, with Vassilis Dimoulas, Technology & Innovation Director of SEEBA Zone, presenting the threats to marine and human life as a consequence of ocean plastic. Consequently, Suzanna Laskaridis, Director of Laskaridis Group, introduced the committee to the group’s Blue Cycle project, which focuses on collecting plastic from the ocean and putting it to good use through recycling.
Finally, Eleni Letoni, Communications Sales & Marketing Coordinator at BV Marine & Offshore, gave a timely presentation about the history of the Olympic Games in association with Greece and France. BV is committed to maintaining an open dialogue throughout the industry through its committee meetings held across the world.
Paillette Palaiologou commented: “This forum is always an important opportunity for us to share BV developments with our committee members and, even more importantly, to listen to their views and insights into the opportunities and challenges of modern shipping. I would like to thank them again for their commitment and for supporting us with their time, expertise and energy.”
ELNAVI Newsletter
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19, Aristidou str., Piraeus 185 31,
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Representing Cyprus Shipping in practice, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) on 14 June 2024 participated for yet another year at the Annual General Meeting of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) that took place in Montreal, Canada.
On behalf of the Cypriot delegation was CSC’ President Mr. Themis Papadopoulos and its Director General Mr. Thomas Kazakos. Notably, Mr. Papadopoulos continues, for a second term, to hold the honorable office of ICS’ Vice-President. ICS, internationally represents national Professional Associations of Shipowners from more than 40 countries.
Similarly, the Chamber actively participated at the Annual General Meeting of the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) that took place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on 19 June 2024.
On behalf of the Cypriot delegation was the immediate past President of CSC and ECSA Mr. Philippos Philis, Mr. Thomas Kazakos and Mr. Nicholas Hadjioannou representing CUS.
In both meetings, participants focused on current maritime policy issues and industry challenges such as the attacks against shipping in the Red Sea, IMO’s negotiation on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, issues related to the implementation of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) as well as the recent EU Parliament elections.
ELNAVI Newsletter
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Honoring the long term relationship with the Greek Shipping Industry, The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) took part in the Posidonia Conference and Exhibition marking on the 10th Anniversary of the opening of its Greek office in 2014. At the time, it was the only Flag with such representation in Greece.
Officially launched by The Bahamas Minister of Transport in June of that year, the Piraeus office has grown from its small beginnings. In 2017, The BMA expanded its offerings to include complete registration services, comprising on-line certification, full technical support and the issuing of seafarers’ documentation. Today these services are not only offered to the Greek market but also further afield in Cyprus, Turkey, The Black Sea and Middle East region.
Manning the ‘ship’ in the early days was George Zarvanos who was recognised during The BMA’s reception at Posidonia. He was instrumental in the establishment of the office and provided a solid foundation for the Registry’s growth in Greece. At that time The BMA’s Greek fleet was relatively small whereas today it comprises some 275 ships totalling 13 million gross tonnage with the Greek office team registering vessels ranging from tankers to gas carriers, general cargo, offshore and yachts not to mention more than 100 bulk carriers. This, coupled with the provision of technical support and seafarers’ documentation, enables The BMA’s ships to comply with the international requirements and operate without delays.
The team in Piraeus today is headed up by BMA Regional Director, Dimitri Tsiftsis, who is supported by Greek office Registrar, Kyra Fraser, Technical and Compliance Officer, Christos Papastathoppoulos, Licensing Assistant STCW, Efstathia Gkinni, Registration Assistant, Nikolaos Roussos, and Administrative Assistant, Vassiliki Felliou.
Dimitri Tsiftsis said: “We are extremely proud that during our years in Greece so many Greek owners have entrusted their fleet to us. There is a mutual understanding between our two nations, both of which are island states with a strong maritime heritage. We also share the same commitment to the International Maritime Organisation’s strategy on Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) and the development of young talent to take on future leadership roles within our industry.
“We are honoured that The Bahamas is a flag of choice for Greek owners and we remain committed to the continued delivery of quality service that is second to none.”
ELNAVI Newsletter
More Information: ELNAVI,
19, Aristidou str., Piraeus 185 31,
Tel.: +30 210 45.22.100, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.