Natech is a leading Core Banking System provider to small & midsize financial institutions, providing an end-to-end, real-time, and competitive offering specially structured and designed to target underserved financial institutions and benefit from the gradual shift to BaaS. Natech’s solutions benefit from a simplified system integration (up to 10x more effective on delivery times), compelling and proven product offering covering retail and SMEs banking requirements (including AML/KYC, risk and regulatory reporting tools), real time 24/7 core banking system with a clear cost advantage and simplification of operations with omni-channel experience.
Accordingly, Natech has built a demonstrable track record of delivering sustainable and profitable growth, underpinned by sticky customer base and long-term contractual relationships.
This new funding will finance the strategic Joint Venture with Piraeus Bank in order to build the #1 Greek digital bank. It will allow Natech to start offering BaaS products for financial related entities across Europe. Piraeus Bank had announced in April 2022 the launch of a new online-only independent bank for customers in Greece and Europe, which will enable the company to address the booming BaaS market in EU regions.
This private convertible bond was oversubscribed and was led by Orasis Fund alongside George Moundreas Family Office, with Codrus Capital and existing shareholders also participating. In addition, Natech is also planning to raise new equity to secure its path towards scaling operations, technology and product offering as well as accelerating its growth in Europe and abroad. 
Thanasis Navrozoglou, Natech’s CEO: “We are thrilled to announce the successful closing of a €10m funding round for Natech, working diligently towards accelerating our expansion in Europe and the development of our BaaS offering. This investment will enable us to finance the launch of our Digital Bank in partnership with Piraeus Bank and enhance our platform and delivery capabilities. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our investors for their support and belief in our vision. With this funding, we are excited to continue leading the way in Banking technology and delivering world-class financial solutions to our customers empowering the future of Banking.”
BNP Paribas is acting as sole financial advisor to Natech in this fundraising process.
About Natech
Natech is a Greek Fintech that provides banking technology services and SaaS products to small & midsize financial institutions benefiting from its highly streamlined end-to-end offering and lean implementation processes. Leveraging its historical activities in financial software, the Company has developed a full core banking system technology in the last 20 years. Natech is launching a Joint Venture with Piraeus Bank to create the #1 Greek digital bank allowing the company to start offering BaaS products for non-financial lenders across Europe.  

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Technology company ZeroNorth has appointed Mike Konstantinidis as Managing Director of Vessel Optimisation and Head of ZeroNorth's Athens Office. In this role, Mike will head up a new business area focused on bringing high frequency data captured by on-board sensors to the ZeroNorth platform. This will enrich the platform’s data analysis capabilities and give further training data input for existing data models.
There are a myriad of difficult decisions to be made in shipping, with endless variables such as route, weather conditions, and vessel specifics like different hull and propeller fouling. These variables combine to create barriers to optimisation and the efficiencies that the industry needs on its sustainability journey.
Decision-makers need to be equipped with the most accurate, up-to-date information to choose the optimal route or vessel to be as competitive, profitable, and environmentally conscious as possible. With Mike taking the helm at a new sensor-focused business unit, ZeroNorth will double down on sensor-derived data by incorporating it more closely into the company’s data analysis capabilities.
This new high frequency data will further enrich ZeroNorth’s data ecosystem and provide extra insight to customers by enhancing their decision-making, their commerciality and sustainability. The new sensor-based input will also continually train and improve ZeroNorth’s existing data models.
Commenting on his appointment, Mike Konstantinidis, Managing Director of Vessel Optimisation and Head of ZeroNorth's Athens Office, said: “ZeroNorth is doing a great job in helping its customers navigate digitalisation and decarbonisation in this new era of shipping. I am delighted to join the company to broaden its data to include high frequency sensor data analysis.
"The industry is on a journey of digital transformation. In my role at ZeroNorth, I am excited to provide the analysis of even more data sources to our customers, helping them to optimise decision-making for profit and planet.”
Mike has worked in the technology space for more than 35 years, joining the shipping industry just over 6 years ago. He has a wealth of experience in software, systems integration and in his last role as Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer at METIS Cyberspace Technology SA, Mike was powering the digital transformation of maritime through artificial intelligence. He brings this knowledge and expertise to his new role at ZeroNorth.
Commenting on Mike joining the company, Søren Meyer, CEO at ZeroNorth, said: “I am incredibly excited for Mike to join the ZeroNorth team, bringing his expertise in high frequency data to enrich our data analysis and fuel modelling capabilities. His experience in both the maritime and technology industries will deepen our knowledge and ability to help customers navigate their digital transformation as the industry embraces more high frequency data to drive the green transition.”

Image: Mike Konstantinidis, Managing Director of Vessel Optimisation and Head of ZeroNorth's Athens Office

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Theano Kalapothatakou, Co-publisher & Editor of ELNAVI magazine attended the Ocean Conference PANAMA 23 as honored guest of Mrs Julie Lymberopulos Ambassador of Panama in Greece and had the opportunity to meet with distinguished members of the Panamanian government to discuss the latest shipping developments.
In addition she attended the handover ceremony to the Greek delegation as Greece will host the conference in 2024.

Ocean Panama 2023 conference, created a space for collaborative dialogue between heads of state, the private sector, civil society, and academic institutions to discuss how people can save their marine resources, promote sustainable use, and educate the public about ocean. Most importantly, brought attention to the critical importance of the implementation of well-connected systems of effective area-based management measures, including Marine Protected Areas, the development of the global blue economy and proposing innovative solutions to address marine pollution. This conference was held at a time when Climate Change, Marine pollution and the devastation of marine life has reached increasingly alarming levels due to the detrimental actions of mankind. The Conference was built around the commitment of different governments, businesses, and civil society to urge action that may enact policies that will promote and protect ocean’s health. Commitments are voluntary, measurable, impactful actions with a clear timeframe toward a clean, healthy, and productive ocean.

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Laskaridis Shipping was a proud participant of “Our Ocean 2023” conference held in Panama on 2^nd and 3^rd of March 2023. A global leading conference to promote sustainability in oceans by mobilizing voluntary commitments from governments, private sector and society to protect aquatic environment from illegal fishing, marine pollution and the effects of climate change.
On the occasion of “Our Ocean 2023”, Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) and LAVINIA CORPORATION/LASKARIDIS SHIPPING CO.LTD signed a Joint Declaration of Affirmative Actions in the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported or Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
That declaration recognizes the high operational level of the Crew and Management of Laskaridis Shipping which operates the Group’s reefer vessel fleet to the highest environmental and safety standards for more than 40 years.
It serves also as a commitment for the future, to continue the efforts for compliance with ARAP and Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RMFMOs) requirements to guarantee fisheries sustainability.
The bilateral agreement was signed by Flor Torrijos, General Administrator of ARAP, Honorary witnessed by Augusto Valderamma, Minister of Agricultural Development and on behalf of LAVINIA CORPORATION/LASKARIDIS SHIPPING by Catherine Prifti, DPA and HSQE Director.

image: H.E. Mrs. Yavel Francis - Ambassador of Panama to the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Mrs. Julie Lymberopulos - Ambassador and General Consul of Panama in Greece,  Ms Catherine Prifti - Laskaridis Shipping Co Ltd.,  Honorable Mrs. Flor Torrijos - General Administrator of the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama,  H.E. Mr. Augusto Valderrama, Minister of Agricultural Development of Panama,  H.E. Mr. Vladimir Franco Sousa - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama

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Long-term collaboration steps up a gear to ensure easy access to new capabilities and high reliability of innovative new antenna technology
Navarino, one of the maritime industry’s most advanced communications and connectivity companies and Cobham Satcom, the leading provider of radio and satellite communication (satcom) solutions to the global maritime and land mobile sectors have extended their strategic partnership based on integration of next generation SAILOR XTR antennas with Navarino’s global connectivity services.
Navarino, the world’s largest Inmarsat Fleet Xpress Value Added Reseller, also offers a full portfolio of Ku-Band solutions leveraging networks from Intelsat and SES. With Cobham Satcom as a strategic partner, Navarino’s ability to deliver the most advanced technology solutions to the merchant maritime fleets it serves worldwide will be boosted with access to both Ka- and Ku-band antennas from the expanding SAILOR XTR portfolio.
 “The new strategic partnership with Cobham Satcom includes a significant commitment to delivering new capabilities only possible with the SAILOR XTR technology platform, which will help us to strengthen our network diversity and meet the market’s need for cost-effective connectivity solutions with integral flexibility for the future. The timing is just right as the space segment continues to evolve with major new constellations and services available now or on the horizon, which will unlock opportunities and choices for our clients in the coming years,” said Andreas Dimitriadis, Director Strategic Relations, Navarino.
“We have partnered with Cobham Satcom for many years and in addition to transforming the maritime industry through new technology, our experience of their global service network is that they are able to address issues quickly and cost effectively, which is absolutely essential to ensure that our clients experience maximum up time wherever they are operating,” adds Dimitriadis.
 “Formalizing our existing work with Navarino in a strategic agreement is a very positive step” said Erik Nieuwmeijer, Sales Director, EMEA. “For Cobham Satcom we are able to work closely with an innovative and technology-leading satellite service provider, while the flexible nature of SAILOR XTR allows them to deliver the agility required for their customers to easily migrate to new services in their portfolio without having the expense and downtime of installing new VSAT antennas.”

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HEMEXPO – Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers and Exporters – a leading suppliers and exporters association for the international shipping sector, has welcomed ERGOMATIC as its 33^rd member company. The move adds a new area of expertise to the broad cross-section of Greek equipment manufacturers and technology specialists already represented on HEMEXPO’s list of members.
Headquartered in Athens, ERGOMATIC supplies high-quality components and integrated automation solutions, such as valves and piping, electrical automation systems, measurement and control instrumentation and pneumatic and hydraulic equipment to marine and industrial customers. The company also provides a range of services including integrated system design, class approval, repairs and round-the-clock technical support. Its solutions and services are certified by ABS Quality Evaluations in line with ISO 9001:2015.
“ERGOMATIC is a welcome addition to our growing members list, bringing new expertise in critical maritime equipment alongside a comprehensive offering of dedicated services,” commented Eleni Polychronopoulou, HEMEXPO President. “We look forward to working with ERGOMATIC as we help the company to seize opportunities in new and existing markets and drive business growth.”
Representing Greek maritime technology specialists on the international stage, HEMEXPO maintains close relationships with shipowners, classification societies and shipyards to understand the issues facing the industry and provide the best technical solutions. HEMEXPO members are on the approved-suppliers lists of over 50 shipyards worldwide, with ERGOMATIC the latest company to gain access to this extensive network.
“Membership of HEMEXPO brings a multitude of benefits including greater market access, opportunities to collaborate and build relationships across the shipping supply chain and to enhance insights into industry developments,” said Lykourgos Kontakos ERGOMATIC Managing Director. “We are therefore delighted to join HEMEXPO and look forward to reaping the many rewards on offer.”
With the International Maritime Organization targeting a 50% reduction in marine greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 compared with 2008, HEMEXPO is committed to delivering sustainable solutions and services to support shipping’s green transition. Several of the association’s member companies specialise in sustainable technology – such as friction-reducing hull coatings, shore connection facilities and carbon capture systems.

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On 27 February The Bahamas continued its long-held tradition of making its annual member state assessment payment to the International Maritime Organisation in full and well in advance of the payment deadline.
The contribution for 2023 was presented to IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim by The Bahamas Minister of Transport and Housing, JoBeth Coleby-Davis MP, and The Bahamas’ newly-appointed Ambassador to the IMO, Paul Rolle, who attended the IMO with The BMA Board’s Deputy Chairman, Peter John Goulandris, and BMA Managing Director and CEO, Capt Dwain Hutchinson. 
As one of the world’s leading Ship Registers, The Bahamas’ annual assessed contribution represents just under 4% of the IMO’s overall 2023 budget at 3.58%, making The Bahamas one of the largest financial contributors to the organisation. 
The Bahamas is a long-standing Council member of the IMO and has a history of taking a leading role in areas relating to safety, security, environment and human element within the IMO committees, sub-committees, working and correspondence groups. It also actively participates at meetings of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Mobile Satellite Organisation (IMSO), International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Funds and regionally within the Caribbean Port State Control Committee.
Capt Hutchinson said: “We are particularly pleased this year to have our Minister and IMO Ambassador with us for the presentation of our member state assessment contribution to the IMO. As a Small Island Developing State Council member which nonetheless has one of the world’s largest ship registries, we are committed to upholding the IMO’s stance on the UN sustainable development goals and, as such, we are proud to be among the first IMO Member States every year to pay their contribution in full.”

Image: Pictured left to right: Ghulam Hussain (BMA Deputy Director-Maritime Affairs), Captain Hutchinson, Peter John Goulandris (Deputy Chairman of the BMA Board), Minister Coleby-Davis MP, Secretary General Kitack Lim, Ambassador Paul Rolle and his wife Mrs Rolle, Gaynell Rolle (Under Secretary to Ministry of Transport & Housing),Bernis Pinder (Bahamas Maritime Attaché)

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Aiming to the enhancement of the business relationships between Greece and Hong Kong the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) and Invest HK organised an event for the investing opportunities in Hong Kong.
Ms Vicky Makrigianni (Director, International Relations & Regional Policy, SEV), opened the event and Mr. Tassos Iossiphides (Member of Board of Directors, ACCI) in his speech told that Hong Kong has access to a diverse market of commercial activities in Asia offering outstanding business opportunities and a friendly tax regime.
As Greece expands its exporting capacity Hong Kong can be considered a great partner for increasing the business relationships between the two countries.
Mr. Henry Tsoi (Deputy Representative, Hong Kong Economic and Trade office in Brussels) said that Hong Kong is a major financial centre offering an excellent business friendly environment. Doing business from Hong Kong can be proved a very beneficial investment for Greek enterprises from all economic segments.
Ms Paula Kant (Head, Investment Promotion, invest in Hong Kong) presented the objectives of Invest HK organization. It maintains in 31 country offices covering all promising business areas. HK has fully reopened from Covid-19 lockdown to mainland China and all over the world. The economy has recovered and GDP is expected to grow 3% in 2023. Financial services sectors showing robust growth. HK has a competitive and simple tax system of 8.25% for the first HK2$M if profits.
HK is involved in top business sectors fin tech, ecommerce, technology, education and consultancy services.
Ms. Paula Kant referred to the recent success story of EMISIA SA a spin-off company of the Aristotelion University in Thessaloniki which has carried out several environmental projects in Hong Kong.
Another example is Levant a Greek Cypriot food company which was assisted by Hong Kong to expand in the Asian market. As well as Spirit World Group which is involved in shipping and forwarding company. It has been in Hong Kong since 2006 and is active in Shenzhen, Ningbo, Xiamen and Xingang, etc.
Ms. Eleni Almpanti (Exportgate, i-Services, Eurobank) presented HK’s market insight and the main economic indicators.
Mr. Panagiotis Drosos (Director, Global Business Development at KORRES), Mr. Ilias Katsogiannis (Manager, International New Business Generation, VIANEX), Mr. Stelios Pourzitakis (Co-founder, Greek Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong) and Co-ordinator Mr. Panayiotis Hassapis (Executive Vice-President SEVE) referred to their companies success stories in doing business in Hong Kong, motivating more exporters to join Hong Kong Business Centre.

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PPG announced the launch of PPG SIGMAGLIDE^® 2390 marine coating, a breakthrough approach to help shipowners lower power consumption and carbon emissions and meet demands for higher performance with no adverse impact on the marine environment.
The biocide-free fouling release coating is based on revolutionary PPG HydroReset™ technology, which modifies the coating when it is immersed in water to create a super-smooth, almost friction-free surface that marine organisms do not recognize and cannot adhere to.
Based on third-party evidence following ISO 19030 and International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC) standards, this coating enables vessels to maintain a clean hull and reduce drag, achieving power savings of up to 20%, a speed loss performance of less than 1%, and up to 35% reduction in CO₂ emissions in comparison to traditional antifouling coatings. Actual performance will depend on ship model and operating conditions.
PPG Sigmaglide 2390 coating can help owners and operators to meet targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions under the International Maritime Organization’s energy efficiency (EEXI and EEDI) and carbon intensity (CII) requirements, which went into effect this year.
“PPG Sigmaglide 2390 coating is a unique formulation that paves the way for ship owners and operators to improve efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions,” said Jan Willem Tegelaar, PPG global platform director, Marine Coatings. “The speed loss performance of less than 1% helps ships operate at an average one knot higher speed while remaining CII compliant.”
The exceptional fouling control performance of PPG Sigmaglide 2390 coating is achieved with no release of biocides into the oceans.
PPG Sigmaglide 2390 coating is also suitable for electrostatic application, which provides high transfer efficiency, leading to lower paint consumption. In service, the coating can deliver up to 150 days of idle performance and an extended lifetime of more than 10 years with minimal maintenance requirements. These benefits, combined with the power savings, provide an industry-leading return on investment for shipowners.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®
At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $17.7 billion in 2022. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

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The American Club has reported encouraging year-on-year growth in premium and tonnage over the recent renewal period. Increases in both metrics were experienced across all of the Club’s insurance lines, strengthening its position for 2023 and beyond.
Premium income for the Club’s Class I (mutual P&I) entries was 17% greater than a year earlier, with concomitant tonnage growth of 25% over the period. Its Class II (mutual FD&D) portfolio also grew, while its Class III (charterers’) business is poised to increase by about 10% in 2023 by comparison with the previous twelve months.
Eagle Ocean Marine, the Club’s fixed premium facility, which serves the operators of smaller vessels in local and regional trades, also enjoyed a positive renewal season, strengthening its growing market position.
The Club’s Board had mandated an overall increase in expiring premium of 10% for the 2023 policy year, together with uplifts in certain deductibles. In the result, the cash rise on renewing business was just over 9%, with increases in deductibles over and above those generally prescribed, particularly through the application of higher annual aggregate deductibles in several sectors, providing an additional cash value of about 2% overall.
While the Club renewed about 95% of its expiring tonnage over the renewal itself, its renewing premium for 2023 was almost exactly the same as the expiring volume, implying an increase in the average rate per ton on the renewing portfolio of just under 8% by comparison with that of twelve months earlier.
Speaking in New York earlier, Tom Hamilton, the Chief Underwriting Officer of SCB, Inc., the Managers of the American Club, said: “The American Club experienced a positive 2023 renewal season. Year-on-year tonnage entered for mutual P&I risks grew by 25% to just over 25 million gross tons with an increase in annualized premium to about $108 million. With similar increases in premium and tonnage entered for FD&D and charterers’ risks, as well as a solid portfolio under its Eagle Ocean Marine banner, the American Club commences the 2023 policy year with a premium income in excess of $135 million, an encouraging result providing a sound platform for further expansion over the months and years ahead.”
Dorothea Ioannou, the Chief Executive Officer of SCB, Inc., also commented on the Club’s recent results: “The growth of the Club’s premium and tonnage over the recent renewal reflects the loyalty and commitment of its Members and their intermediaries throughout the world. None of this is taken for granted, and will continue to be earned by a dedication to excellence in service provision, supported by a strengthening financial outlook for the Club. While business conditions remain challenging in many respects, the Club and its Managers are sure that the positive results of this renewal will enable further development of the Club’s market position in the future.”

Image: Dorothea Ioannou, the Chief Executive Officer of SCB, Inc.,

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