The first full cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the new LNG terminal, operated by Uniper, in Wilhelmshaven was carried by the LNG ship “Maria Energy”, owned by Tsakos Energy Navigation, a major energy mover. The cargo was loaded in Calcasieu Pass, USA, at the liquefaction facility of the LNG supplier Venture Global Calcasieu Pass, LLC, on December 19, 2022.
The Maria Energy is fully loaded with approx. 170,000 cubic meters LNG (97,147,000 cubic meters of natural gas) – enough to supply around 50,000 German households with energy for one year.
Niek den Hollander, Uniper CCO says: "The successful delivery of the first full LNG cargo to the Uniper terminal in Wilhelmshaven is a testament to the strong partnership between Uniper, Venture Global, and Tsakos Energy Navigation. The use of LNG as a reliable energy source is crucial for the Security of Supply for Germany and Europe. We are committed to contribute our part by bringing more LNG to the European market and especially Germany via the Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbüttel Regas Terminals."
"Venture Global is very proud to supply the first full cargo of LNG ever delivered to Germany, and we congratulate Uniper and the German government for their swift action to build the infrastructure needed to make this historic day possible," says Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel. "As strategic partners, we look forward to providing long-term security of energy supply to our allies through the continued delivery of clean and reliable US LNG."
The LNG cargo delivered on board of the Maria Energy forms part of the commissioning process at the Wilhelmshaven terminal. Commercial operations of the Wilhelmshaven terminal are expected to start in mid-January 2023.
The Uniper LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven was opened on December 17, 2022. Via the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) Höegh Esperanza, about five billion cubic meters of natural gas can be landed in Germany per year.
About Tsakos Energy Navigation
TEN, founded in 1993 and celebrating this year 29 years as a public company, is one of the first and most established public shipping companies in the world. TEN's diversified energy fleet currently consists of 73 double-hull vessels including four dual-fuel LNG powered aframax vessels and two option one shuttle tankers under construction, constituting a mix of crude tankers, product tankers and LNG carriers, totaling 8.5 million dwt.
About Venture Global
Venture Global is a long-term, low-cost provider of U.S. LNG sourced from resource rich North American natural gas basins. Venture Global's first facility, Calcasieu Pass, commenced producing LNG in January 2022.  The company is also constructing or developing an additional 60 MTPA of production capacity in Louisiana to provide clean, affordable energy to the world. The company is developing Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) projects at each of its LNG facilities.
About Uniper
Düsseldorf-based Uniper is an international energy company with activities in more than 40 countries. With around 7,000 employees, it makes an important contribution to security of supply in Europe. Uniper's core businesses are power generation in Europe, global energy trading, and a broad gas portfolio. Uniper procures gas – including liquefied natural gas (LNG) – and other energy sources on global markets. The company owns and operates gas storage facilities with a capacity of more than 7 billion cubic meters. Uniper plans for its 22.5 GW of installed power-generating capacity in Europe to be carbon-neutral by 2035. The company already ranks among Europe's largest operators of hydroelectric plants and intends to further expand solar and wind energy, which are essential for a more sustainable and autonomous future. 

Image: LNG carrier Maria Energy carried Germany's first LNG cargo to the Uniper LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven (source: Uniper)

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Taking advantage of the market upheaval the Nasdaq listed company United Maritime Corporation (NASDAQ: USEA), has successfully completed the delivery of the 2008-built LR2 product tanker, M/T Minoansea, to her new owners. In addition, the Company has entered into definitive agreements to acquire two Capesize vessels from Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., a related party of the Company, for an aggregate purchase price of US$36.25 million. The aggregate purchase price of the vessels was based on the average of three independent broker valuations.
The first Capesize bulk carrier is the M/V Tradership, with a cargo-carrying capacity of 176,925 dwt built in 2006 by Namura Shipbuilding in Japan. The vessel is chartered by a major European charterer for a period until minimum June 2023 up to maximum October 2023, at an index-linked rate.
The second Capesize bulk carrier is the M/V Goodship, with a cargo-carrying capacity of 177,536 dwt built in 2005 by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding in Japan. The vessel is chartered by an international charterer for a period until minimum June 2023 up to maximum December 2023, at an index-linked rate. The Company expects to take delivery of the vessels in the first quarter of 2023, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions.
Stamatis Tsantanis, the Company’s Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, stated: “We are pleased to announce the acquisition of the two Capesize bulkers by United Maritime. The attractive purchase price places United in a position to generate high returns on investment without diluting our shareholders or increasing our corporate leverage. In addition, the acquisition of the vessels from Seanergy provides for an efficient transfer of ownership, without disrupting the vessel’s commercial operations or the existing time-charter agreements and most importantly, without United incurring customary expenses associated with sale and purchase transactions in shipping. “We believe that the sale price achieved for the M/T Minoansea was substantially accretive to shareholder value, especially in view of the vessel’s age and the investment required for its upcoming special-survey and ballast-water treatment system installation. This vessel will be replaced with two high-quality Japanese Capesize vessels, fitted with ballast water treatment systems and maintained at what we believe to be above-industry standards. “We deem that the recent correction in the prices of the larger dry bulk vessels, in combination with the sector’s best supply fundamentals of the last 20 years, makes this segment an attractive investment opportunity. Therefore, these acquisitions are fully consistent with our strategy to pursue counter-cyclical investments with a view to capitalise on the upside and generate enhanced returns for our shareholders.”
The Company operates a fleet of one tanker vessel and one dry bulk vessel. Upon completion of the acquisition of the M/V Tradership and the M/V Goodship, the Company's fleet will consist of four vessels, one LR2 tanker vessel and three Capesize dry bulk vessels, with an aggregate cargo carrying capacity of 635,422 dwt. The Company is incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and has executive offices in Glyfada, Greece.

Image: Stamatis Tsantanis, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of United Maritime Corporation

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RINA has approved in Principle (AiP) of the first very large crude carrier (VLCC) vessel using an innovative propulsion arrangement that reduces the ship’s resistance by 5-10%. This result is achieved by splitting the thrust of a single large propeller into two smaller ones, thus reducing the required ballast draft for the full propeller immersion, which in turn allows the reduction of the volume of the ballast tanks and, ultimately, of the overall ship dimensions and the required power for propulsion without impacting the cargo carrying capacity.
At the same time the vessel will meet the IMO targets for 2050 through the use of the ship’s fuel (LNG) combined with hydrogen produced onboard. The LNG/hydrogen-fuelled vessel general arrangement developed by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) is based on the result of a joint project with Marin, the Liberia Administration, Wärtsilä, ABB and Helbio (a subsidiary of Metacon AB) and RINA.
Giosuè Vezzuto, Executive Vice President at RINA, said, “Following the AiP of an MR tanker, earlier this year, using the same solution to produce hydrogen on board, this vessel features a new approach to the design of VLCCs. It also demonstrates that the gas reforming concept can work equally well on smaller or bigger vessels, as this first AiP for a VLCC proves its application in the largest vessels.”
The new propulsion concept is important because it offers ship owners a way to exceed IMO 2050 carbon reduction targets using practical fuel and technology that is readily available today.
Mr. Gao Aihua, Deputy Director of SWS R&D Department at SWS, said, “We are proud to obtain the first AiP for a VLCC to meet IMO 2050. Also, the reduction of ship’s resistance is a paramount step for ships of this size, towards the primary target of reducing the energy consumption on board, and this makes it even easier to reduce GHG emissions. This is a huge step forward in decarbonisation for the global industry and for shipbuilding in China. This is a huge step forward in decarbonisation for the global industry and for shipbuilding in China.”
The propulsion design is based on combining LNG with steam in a Helbio gas reformer to split LNG molecules into hydrogen and CO2. Hydrogen is then directly used to fuel the internal combustion engines and fuel cells. The capture of carbon atom directly from the LNG molecules, serves as a pre-combustion technique, and the cryogenic separation of CO2 from a stream of reformed gases rather than from exhaust emissions results in much smaller installation on bard which eliminates the use of chemicals and the penalty in energy consumption.
The AiP to SWS, following the MR AiP design in Europe, shows the wider acceptance of the concept by global shipyards.
“One of the challenges for shipowners in meeting IMO carbon emission targets is knowing what the future holds,” continued Vezzuto. “The industry is considering many options using different technologies and new fuels, aiming to minimize the energy consumption and the resulting CO2 emissions on board. Shipowners need to be confident that onshore bunkering facilities and other supporting infrastructure will be available before investing in new vessels. This LNG/hydrogen fuelled design for VLCCs is modular and scalable and provides a practical solution that can adapt over time to meet increasingly stringent emission reduction targets and ensure their investment is optimized throughout the natural lifespan of the vessel. The design only requires LNG bunkering, which is widely available today.”
RINA provides a wide range of services across the Energy&Mobility, Marine, Certification, Infrastructure & Real Estate and Industry sectors. With net revenues in 2021 of 533 million Euros, over 4,400 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. www.rina.org
Image: Giosuè Vezzuto, Executive Vice President at RINA

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In the context of the Attica Group Corporate Responsibility programme “Sailing Together” which focuses on sustainable development and raises climate change awareness in local communities, BLUE STAR FERRIES organized a conference on “Climate Change & Today’s Challenges” which took place on 3^rd December 2022 in Amorgos island. The event was implemented in collaboration with the environmental organization AEGEAN REBREATH and the support of the Municipality of Amorgos and was held in the Cultural Center Agios Georgios, in Katapola.
The conference was addressed to the island community, with an open invitation to those willing to take part. The general framework of emerging environmental challenges and the impact of marine pollution on health, society and the economy, as well as the new lifestyle we have to adopt individually within the context of our responsibility towards the environment were among the topics discussed. Further, the need for a new approach to environmental protection was highlighted, with the introduction of the term Environmental Democracy, in an effort to describe the need for citizens to become actively involved in decision making when it comes to environmental issues. At the end of the conference, an open discussion with the locals took place, focusing on specific environmental issues of Amorgos and solutions to be adopted. Thirty-eight residents of Amorgos attended the conference, the Mayor of Amorgos, E. Karaiskos included.

Aegean Rebreath is an internationally recognised environmental organisation, active in the protection of the marine environment, with research and educational activity, implementing coastal and marine clean-up actions, and innovative environmental projects. The organisation has developed the first network of ‘Blue Cities’ in Greece and in Europe, as well as the first network of marine litter collection stations in Greece.
Attica Group is engaged in passenger shipping through SUPERFAST FERRIES, BLUE STAR FERRIES, HELLENIC SEAWAYS and AFRICA MOROCCO LINK, operating 35 vessels providing modern, high-quality transportation services in Greece and abroad. Attica’s vessels serve 60 unique destinations in 4 countries, connecting 74 ports and transporting more than 7 million passengers, 1 million passenger vehicles and 400,000 trucks every year.

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Lars Rhodin, Managing Director of The Swedish Club, has completed a programme of visits to shipping clusters around the world as he bid farewell to members and business partners prior to his retirement as head of The Swedish Club.
He visited local offices in London and Piraeus and met Swedish shipowners in Gothenburg and Donsö before attending staff events at the Club’s head office in Gothenburg.
Lars first joined The Swedish Club in 1986 and has spent 15 years at the helm. During that time, he spearheaded a period of considerable growth for the Club, successfully steering it through challenges and overseeing the opening of three new offices in Oslo, London and, the latest, in Singapore.
Speaking at the board meeting held in London on 8 December, Lennart Simonsson, Chairman of the Club, extended his warmest wishes to Lars and thanked him for his commitment and leadership.
In response Lars thanked his team, Club members and the shipping community for making his time at The Swedish Club very special. “Since I joined the Club in 1986, I have been part of a family,” he said. “The shipping industry is unique and It’s an exciting business, but also very much a people business - so, when you ask me what I am going to miss, of course it will be the people.”
Thomas Nordberg, who will be taking the reins from Lars on January 1^st said: “I am thrilled at having the opportunity to step into Lars’ shoes and will do my outmost to contribute further to what has been successfully built during his strong leadership.”
Lars Rhodin said: “We are a part of an exciting industry where knowledge and experience are vital. Thomas Nordberg has the right background to fit the role. I am convinced the Club will continue to prosper under his leadership.”

image:Past and present: (left to right) Thomas Nordberg and Lars Rhodin.

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WISTA Hellas presented two Awards to its distinguished members Liona Bacha and Maria Livanou who are involved in the shipbroking sector in a special event that was attended by about 300 guests from the Piraeus shipping community.
Among the distinguished guests were Deputy Minister for Labor and Social Affairs Ms. Maria Syreggela, Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development – Ministry of Tourism Ms. Olympia Anastasopoulou, Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard Vice Admiral Mr. Georgios Alexandrakis, President of the Hellenic Shortsea Shipping Association Mr. Charalampos Simantonis, President of Management Committee of Eugenides Foundation, Mr. Leonidas Dimitriades-Eugenides, Vice President of Hellenic Chamber of Shipping Mr. Georgios Alexandratos as well as correspondents from the Greek and International Press.
The President of WISTA Hellas and President of WISTA International as well, Ms. Elpi Petraki following the recent elections, welcomed everyone and announced the winners of two Awards that the Board of Directors had established last year. The “Leadership Award” was granted jointly to Ms. Eleonora Bachas and Ms. Maria Livanou and presented by Deputy Minister Maria Syreggela. The Leadership Award aims to recognize and reward achievement in gender diversity and equality either by leading positive actions to enable talented employees of all genders to realize their full potential, or by evidencing diversity within an organization, or by acting as a role model in championing gender equality within the Greek Maritime community, or by creating an inclusive culture by challenging gender inequalities.
This year’s award by unanimous decision of the Committee to two very dynamic women, who have succeeded against every stereotype in the male-dominated environment of brokers. Ms. Maria Livanou, Managing Director at Nilimar Ships Sale and Purchase, is the founder and owner of the first S & P Broker office, while Ms. Eleonora Bachas, Managing Director, founder and owner of the shipping Βrokerage Οffice Hellaschart and at the same time one of the founding members of WISTA Hellas.
Both Ms. Livanou with her precious cooperator, Ms. Katerina Louvari, continuing to pave the way for women in the competitive environment of shipbroking, and Ms. Bachas with her precious cooperator as well, Ms. Isidora Theotoka, having created one of the most successful shipping brokerage companies in Greece, they both support award-winning gender diversity in the Greek shipping workplace, while being a role model and source of inspiration for women in the industry, while at the same time promoting the continuous education of young professionals.
Deputy Minister Ms. Maria Syreggela mentioned that the shipping industry is represented by more and more women in managerial positions and pointed out that it is not only about human rights and gender equality but contributes to the sustainable development of the industry. She said that “no country, no state, no sector can develop sustainably if it does not include all human resources capabilities and especially women”.
The Award to the Hellenic Coast Guard, also established last year and is a recognition for excellence in the Port Authority administration of critical importance. Two Chief Petty Officers and Captains, Ms. Ourania Zafeiriou and Ms. Despina Chouchourelou received the awards from Commandant of the HCG, Vice Admiral Georgios Alexandrakis.
Vice Admiral Alexandrakis said in his speech that he honors the two female Chief Petty Officers and Captains of the HCG, who carry out an extremely important task, faithfully committed with professionalism, courage and passion, serving the operational and administrative pillars of the HCG. Vice Admiral Alexandrakis further mentioned that these awards are extremely promotional for the recognition of the most important role played by female officers in the HCG congratulating the Board of Directors of WISTA Hellas for this initiative.
Mrs. Petraki said that “Today we are granting these awards to two young women, captains. Both officers of the HCG carried out the duties assigned to them at the administrative level with maturity and efficiency admirable in critical port authorities and in sensitive areas of the Eastern Aegean, showing everyone that with passion and dedication, belief in abilities and commitment to ethical principles, the most difficult projects can be achieved.”
Ms. Petraki also thanked all WISTA Hellas members, the loyal sponsors and friends of the Association for their support and expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy and to other organizations for their excellent collaboration. She thanked especially the event sponsors Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., Hill Dickinson International, Attica Group and International Registries Inc.
She invited everyone to be even more active with proposals and ideas for actions and to continue supporting WISTA Hellas, as today more than ever we all need to work for diversity and inclusion in the Shipping industry. Ms. Petraki concluded by wishing everyone Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

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Panama Maritime Authority update was issued on 28^th December 2022
https://www.panamaconsulate.gr/gr/en/articles/panama-maritime-authority-update--2

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JANUARY : Prospects and expectations of the new year, 

FEBRUARY: IT in shipping – Marine Coatings and Chemicals, 

MARCH: Salvage and towage - Marine fuels and lubricants, 

APRIL: Classification Societies - Ship Registries,

MAY: Marine Propulsion- Scrubbers -  Ballast Water Treatment Systems, Cruise & Leisure Industry, 

JUNE: Posidonia 2026 edition, 

JULY - AUGUST: Posidonia 2026 Aftermaths, Maritime Education,

SEPTEMBER: Shipmanagement Industry – Maritime Communications,  

OCTOBER: Greek Shiprepairing Industry - Greek ports, 

NOVEMBER: Marine Insurance - Shipfinance, 

DECEMBER: The leaders of the year - Review of the year       

 The Greek shipping success story owes its recognition to the adaptability of Greek shipping companies to all the market conditions, its hands-on management pattern and the intuition/knowledge/expertise of Greek shipowners/human force.
As a matter of fact it seems quite logical that 13 Greece’s largest shipowners/personalities are included in the Top 100 list recently presented from Lloyd’s List publication.
The following personalities have stood out for their group’s tradition and ambitious/innovative fleet-expansion strategies. 

Maria Angelicoussis/Angelicoussis Shipping Group
Dr Angelicoussis, 40, was attracted into shipping by her father after an initial career as a medical doctor; she learned the business at his side.
2023 will see delivery of four dual‑fuel very large crude carriers for the group’s tanker arm, Maran Tankers.
Two dual‑fuel newcastlemax bulk carriers are also now under construction for Maran Dry. All will have the option of running on LNG.
The group has placed orders for 12 newbuilding LNG carriers, all of which are fixed out on long‑term charters to first‑class counterparties.
Maran Gas already has a fleet on the water of 42 LNG carriers, including a number owned and operated in joint ventures with Qatari giant Nakilat.
Angelicoussis Group fly the Greek flag on practically its entire fleet of 143 vessels on the water and are by far the largest Greek company to do so.

 George Prokopiou - Dynacom/Dynagas/Sea Traders
A quite remarkable achievement of Mr. Prokopiou is that Germany has hired two of the company’s regasification vessels, Transgas Force and Transgas Power, as floating storage and regasification units.
They are expected to start operations in spring 2023 and will have a combined capacity equivalent to about 30% of prior Russian gas imports into the country.
The two vessels were delivered in 2021 but had been ordered in China several years earlier. They are the first FSRUs built by Chinese yards.
He was the first international owner to build up a fleet of ice‑class LNG carriers and the private Dynagas fleet includes five ice‑breaking Arc 7‑vessels co‑owned with Chinese partners.
He was also first to order newbuildings of a larger 200,000 cu m class of LNG carrier, inking nine of these with Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Mr Prokopiou already has an outstanding project for up to four more 200,000 cu m vessels to be built in China by Dalian Shipbuilding.
Finally, Dynacom controls fleets of about 50 tankers under Dynacom Tankers and about 40 dry bulk carriers under Sea Traders. 

Angeliki Frangou - Navios Group
Ms Frangou is at the helm of a unified 185‑ship fleet under Navios Maritime Partners.
Navios Containers and tanker arm Navios Acquisition were folded into the New York‑listed partnership in 2021 and they were followed by the 36‑vessel dry bulk fleet controlled by Navios Holdings, which was acquired by Navios Partners in 2022 the consolidated fleet was valued at more than $6bn.
Ms Frangou has also a serious exposure to ports and wider logistics, through the Navios South American Logistics joint venture.
Navios Holdings controls a 63.8% share of the ports, terminals, river barges and cabotage business focused on the vast Hidrovia region and the east coast of South America.

Melina Travlos - Union of Greek Shipowners/Neptune Lines
She is the first woman elected president of the Union of Greek Shipowners since its establishment in 1916, she is already a particularly iconic figure.
She has become the first new leader of the UGS since her long‑running predecessor, Theodore Veniamis, became president in 2008.
Ms Travlos is also Chief Executive Officer  has guided Neptune’s emergence as a vehicle logistics provider, with a network of services to about 50 ports in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Black Sea.
No fewer than five acquisitions in 2022 have expanded Neptune’s fleet to 19 pure car and truck carriers. They included the newly built Neptune Barcelona, with a capacity of more than 7,000 cars, which makes it the line’s largest vessel so far.
Her group nowadays also includes Neptune Dry Management, which controls a fleet of dry bulk carriers.

Petros Pappas - Star Bulk
Under Petros Pappas’s leadership, Star Bulk Carriers continues to be at the forefront of the global dry bulk shipping industry on a multitude of levels.
Much of Star Bulk’s expansion towards its present fleet size of 128 bulk carriers was achieved through merger and acquisition deals when the dry bulk market was at weaker points.
It was able to acquire dozens of vessels at relatively advantageous prices, often using its liquidity to pay at least part of the cost in company stock.
Mr Pappas’s private interests include the Oceanbulk bulker fleet and a stake in product tanker company Product Shipping & Trading.

George Economou - TMS Group
George Economou continues to invest in shipping, signing secondhand and newbuilding deals and updating to add to a fleet of 130 vessels already on the water
Since taking his DryShips company off Nasdaq three years ago, Mr Economou has been working — by his standards — more under the radar.
In the course of 2022, LNG carrier division TMS Cardiff Gas has placed orders for no fewer than seven more LNG carriers, which promise to bring its fleet to 23 LNG carriers.
His presence in LNG shipping has been built up substantially in the past few years, with no fewer than 11 of the existing fleet being delivered as newbuildings in 2020 and 2021.
He has also acquired three capesizes, three kamsarmaxes and a panamax from the secondhand market. They have brought the TMS Dry fleet of bulkers to a round 60 vessels in the water.
A series of eight ultramaxes of 63,500 dwt has been inked with Chinese yard Nantong Xiangyu for delivery in 2023 and 2024.
He has also placed orders for 10 bulkers, including four capesizes and six kamsarmaxes, at Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries for delivery in 2024 and 2025.
The TMS Tankers fleet of about 50 tankers, predominantly aframaxes and suezmaxes, was augmented in May 2022 with the acquisition of two new former Athenian Carriers very large crude carriers constructed at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.
The company has also ordered four suezmax newbuildings from New Times Shipbuilding in China.

Kostis Konstantakopoulos - Costamare
US‑listed company Costamare has expanded to about 120 vessels and its chief executive’s footprint in shipping appears to be broadening.
In the dry bulk sector Costamare acquired no fewer than 46 bulkers in the course of 2021.
Still predominantly a containership company, New York‑listed Costamare has, however, continued to impress.
In recent times, Mr Konstantakopoulos has additionally built up a significant fleet of privately and partly owned containerships, bulkers and tankers.
Costamare, the company has established Costamare Bulker Services offices in Copenhagen, Hamburg and Singapore, as well as Athens, and recruited experienced staff for the expanding bulker division.
The company’s 73 boxships had contracted revenue of about $3.5bn as the end of 2022.

Peter G. Livanos -  GasLog/DryLog/EcoLog
Mr Livanos built GasLog, one of the world’s largest and best‑reputed owners of LNG carriers.
In May 2022, he unveiled EcoLog — by far the most ambitious shipping venture for carbon capture yet made public.
EcoLog is looking to build a fleet of 60 specialised CO2 carriers to provide a ‘virtual pipeline’ able to transport about 50m tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. GasLog has been enjoying a vastly improved market.
On top of an existing fleet of 21 LNG carriers, it has four more on order for delivery in 2024‑2025.
A plan to order two additional newbuildings did not materialise when the owner decided against moving forward on its letter of intent with the shipbuilder.
NYSE‑listed GasLog Partners, which owns another 13 steam and TFDE LNG carriers. In recent years, it it has also branched out into the floating storage and regasification segment.
He continues to have a significant interest in bulkers through DryLog, which has been quietly adding tonnage and now controls more than 30 owned and chartered‑in vessels.
DryLog’s business includes a 50% stake in Global Chartering Ltd, a joint venture with steel and mining giant ArcelorMittal, and London‑based DryLog Trading.

Evangelos Marinakis - Capital Group
Apart from his spectacular shipping activities Mr. Marinakis owns Olympiacos FC and Nottingham Forest and Greece’s biggest media group. He is indisputably in the big league when it comes to shipping, too.
Mr Marinakis’s Capital Group controls nearly 100 vessels, exceeding 10.5m dwt and valued at about $9bn. During 2021 and the first 10 months of 2022, it was involved in 75 transactions worth $5.5bn.
The 47 vessel acquisitions among these, including 32 newbuilding orders, can overwhelmingly be classed as investments in greener ships.
Conversely, the 26 disposals were mainly of older tonnage and, characteristically, a sprinkling of smart profit‑taking on boxships.
Orders have included liquefied natural gas‑and ammonia‑ready very large crude carriers, plus ‘future‑proof’ rotor sails‑ready medium range tankers and LNG carriers.
On the containership front, the group has begun taking delivery of a programme of 16 new vessels. Among them are a trio of 13,200 teu eco reefer boxships and 13 feederships and feedermax vessels of between 1,800 teu and 2,800 teu that are said to be among the greenest yet to hit the market.
Behind the scenes, Capital is involved in a great number of projects researching the more promising solutions to reduce shipping’s greenhouse gas footprint.
In the past couple of years, Mr Marinakis’s biggest investment has been in the LNG sector, with a total of 14 174,000 cbm newbuildings ordered at Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Samho.
So far, six have been delivered and acquired by the group’s publicly listed affiliate, Nasdaq‑listed Capital Product Partners. He also acquired a 20‑year‑old steam turbine LNG carrier for about $30m‑plus, then promptly chartered it for five to six months at more than $165,000 per day.
Finally Capital has four capesizes and a recently acquired kamsarmax.

George M. Logothetis - Libra Group
Lomar acquired 96 containerships between 2008 and 2020, including no fewer than 43 feeder newbuildings ordered at a combined cost of more than $1bn over a decade beginning in 2011.
Lomar —has cashed in with more than $1.5bn of lucrative boxship sales since the long‑awaited market recovery in July.
Recently acquired venerable Bremen‑based shipping company Carl Buttner and its fleet of seven product and chemical tankers in a $160m deal.
Lomar’s presence in the sector consisted of only two smaller tankers. Earlier in 2022, it acquired three panamax bulkers from Golden Ocean Group.
Beyond its traditional shipping activities, Lomar has signalled its willingness to look at port terminal investments.
Libra has also focused on clean energy technology and projects.

Semiramis Paliou - Diana Shipping/Helmepa
Diana’s Shipping chief executive Semiramis Paliou leads two US‑listed dry bulk shipping companies and has been elected as chairperson of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association, known as Helmepa.
Ms Paliou has led the company into a new market segment with the mid‑2022 acquisition of nine ultramaxes from Sea Trade Holdings.
The $330m deal, which was one‑third paid for with company shares, has expanded the fleet to 43 bulkers.
Another new development recently saw Diana conclude sale‑and‑leaseback deals for two of its capesizes. In doing so, it became one of the first Greek owners to complete a transaction of this kind with a Japan‑based counterparty.
Her second dry bulk company, OceanPal, was launched on Nasdaq in November 2021 to provide a different kind of dividend to Diana shareholders and to establish a vehicle for a more opportunistic approach to the market.
Spot‑oriented OceanPal is now up to four bulk carriers and has first‑refusal rights over certain other older bulkers in the Diana fleet.
Ms Paliou led 40th anniversary celebrations for the voluntary organisation, which also has a remit outside shipping to increase public awareness in Greece and initiate coastal clean‑up projects.

Elpi Petraki and Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou - Wista
Elpi Petraki was elected president of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association in October 2022, replacing Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, who held the post for an impressive five years.
Ms Petraki pledged to continue the momentum built over the years, but while much has been achieved in terms of gender diversity in the maritime industry.
Ms Petraki, who is responsible for chartering, operations and business development at product tanker operator Enea Management of Greece, has been president of Wista Hellas since 2020.
Ms Theodosiou, former Wista president, commented the results from a survey with 60% of all female seafarers reporting bullying. She said that it should be a “wake‑up call” for the maritime industry.
Wista is working hard to highlight the need for the maritime sector to move from “equality to equity,” she said, as equity ensures everyone has a fair opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents according to their circumstances.

Dorothea Ioannou - The American P&I Club
She is the first woman to be appointed as chief executive at any of the 13 clubs that currently make up the International Group.
The abilities of Dorothea Ioannou — a New York lawyer by training — have long been obvious to everyone.
In 2017, she was named as the outstanding next‑generation talent at the Lloyd’s List Global Awards for her work as global business development director at Shipowners’ Claims Bureau, the manager of The American P&I Club.
As the first woman to sit on its executive committee, she was credited with securing substantial growth in the marine mutual’s entered tonnage. She was also a driving force in the development of American Hellenic, the club’s commercial hull offering.

Source: Lloyd's List

ELNAVI Newsletter
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With the participation of 247 Greek owned shipping companies that represent 1.976 vessels into the AMVER Rescue Program, Propeller Club organised recently the awards and the 30^th anniversary ceremony in Greece.
Held in the presence of Greek government officials, top US diplomats and senior representatives from nearly the entire Greek maritime community, the event was organized by the International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Greece and the United States Coast Guard.
The AMVER System (Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue) monitors ships, identifies possible problems and informs ships in the vicinity to approach and provide assistance. It officially came to life on 15 April 1958 through the efforts of the United States Coast Guard and a number of commercial shipping representatives. Over 7,000 lives have been saved by AMVER-participating ships since 2000 and many of them owe their lives to the selfless and altruistic efforts of seamen and vessels of Greek interests. Over 11,000 international ships participate in AMVER and an average of 6,300 ships are added on the AMVER plot each day. The AMVER Center computer receives over 40,000 AMVER messages a day.
Fittingly, the event opened with renditions of the anthems of the United States and Greece, before the welcoming remarks by Costis Frangoulis, President of the International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus and Vice President of the International Propeller Club of the United States.
Mr. Frangoulis addressing the guests told that: “we honor our seafaring heroes who, with self-sacrifice and self-denial, hurry to save lives in the seas of the world, defying all danger. We honor the ships and their management companies. We honor all of you who are at the helm of decisions and support this very important US Coast Guard program that began in 1958 in the North Atlantic and has expanded worldwide since 1971. A program that since 2000 has helped save 7,000 lives”.
Representing the Greek government, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, Kostas Katsafados, said: “Greek shipping controls 32% of the world’s tanker fleet, 25% of dry bulk carriers and 22% of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) fleet.
“According to the latest European Union (EU), Commission report, Greece continues to increase its share of the fleet controlled by the EU while at the same time the Greek-owned fleet is the largest cross-border carrier in the world with more than 98 percent of cargo transported between third countries. Greek shipowners own 59% of the EU’s tonnage. More than a third of the Greek-owned fleet, or 1,706 ships, are flagged by an EU member state, while they continue to invest in newbuilds.
The Greek seamen and the companies behind them, honor “filotimo” by participating with their ships in the efforts to save lives”.
Mary Olson, Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassy in Greece, delivered a speech on behalf of His Excellency George James Tsunis, US Ambassador to Greece and honorary member of the International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus. Mrs Olson reiterated the significance of the AMVER Awards and emphasised the importance of the Hellenic-American relationship.
A video was projected with all the Greek companies which were honored with this year’s AMVER Awards.
Prior to her welcoming remarks, Rear Admiral Laura M. Dickey, honored the Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus for successfully promoting the AMVER Program and organizing the Greek Awards annually for 30 years.
At the end of her speech Laura M. Dickey received an award from Danae Bezantakou, General Secretary of the Propeller Club of Piraeus, for her contribution to the AMVER System. 
Fourteen Propeller Club and Greek shipping industry representatives shared their views and impressions about the Propeller Club during a video reminiscing about the humble beginnings of the  award scheme and sharing personal stories about the history of AMVER Awards, ranging from the first AMVER Awards during Posidonia in the early 90’s, the increase of Greek recipients from 45 in 1992 to this year’s record of 247, the initiative’s values of courage, filotimo and humanity, as well as to real rescue stories, such as one about 120 people saved near Libya’s coast by a Greek vessel. The video featured the thoughts of Stefanos Costopoulos, Gregory Timagenis, Costas Constantinou, George Xiradakis, Nicky Papadakis, Markos Foros, Vlassis Katrantzos,Antonis Faraklas, Kostas Rokkos, Marios Kyriakou, Theodore Kontes, Nikos Tsavliris, Dimitri Fafalios, Costis Frangoulis. 
The event continued with the awarding ceremony.
Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy Kostas Katsafados, Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassy in Greece Mary Olsοn, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Domna Mihailidou, President of the International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus and Vice President of the International Propeller Club of the United States Costis Frangoulis and 1^st Vice President of Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus Christos Timagenis presented the Top Ten Companies Award to: The Angelicoussis Group (114 ships), TMS Group of Companies (97 ships), Technomar Shipping Inc (80 ships), Capital Shipmanagement Corp (75 ships), Tsakos  Group of Companies (74 ships), Star Bulk (70 ships), Thenamaris (Ships Management) Inc (62 ships), Danaos Shipping Co Ltd (62 ships), V Ships Greece Ltd (61 ships) and Euronav Ship Management (Hellas) Ltd (50 ships). The first three of them also received the Fidelity Awards, which go to companies with the most vessels on the AMVER system during the past decade. The Angelicoussis Group (1,010 ships) won the Gold Award, Silver went to Tsakos Group of Companies (672 vessels) and Thenamaris (Ships Management) Inc scooped the Bronze in the same category (614 ships). The Fidelity Awards were presented by First Deputy Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard Vice Admiral HCG Ioannis Argyrakis, John Belousis, 2nd Vice President of Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus, Commander, Naval Training Command – Hellenic Navy Dimitris Kataras and Chairman of the Donations and Scholarships Committee, Katerina Stathopoulou.
The Rescue Awards went to: Seamar Management S.A. (for the M/V Bulk Pnagea), V Ships Greece Ltd (two rescue awards, M/V Methoni and M/V York), Eastern Mediterranean Maritime (for the M/V Agioi Fanendes), Polembros Shipping Limited (for M/V Resilient Warrior), Star Bulk (three rescue awards for M/V Star Marianne, M/V Star Pauline, and M/V Star Dorado), Euronav Ship Management (Hellas) Ltd (three rescue awards for the M/V Cap Quebec, M/V Antigone, M/V Cedar), Latsco Shipping Ltd (M/V Fos Athens), Meadway Bulkers Ltd (M/V Integrale), Arcadia Shipmanagement Co Ltd (for the M/V Aegean Dream), Sun Enterprises (for M/V Christina), Navarone S.A. (for the M/V Seapearl), Balthellas Chartering S.A. (M/V St Dimitrios) and Bulkseas Marine Management S.A. (M/V Arcturus). In total, eighteen of their vessels participated in rescue missions during the last 12 months and saved a total of 410 people. The Rescue Awards were presented by Rear Admiral Laura M Dickey, Second Deputy Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard Vice Admiral HCG Alexandros Tselikis, Treasurer of the Propeller Club, Dimitri Vassilacos and George Kallianis, President of the Maritime Committee.
Thomais Apergi and Locomondo provided the musical entertainment in an evening that brought the Greek maritime community together to celebrate its contribution to safety at seas worldwide. 
The AMVER Awards 2022 event was held with the support of The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the Union of Greek Shipowners and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping.
Platinum Supporters: Alba Graduate Business School, Castor Maritime, D.K. Fotinakis, Franman, Ionic, MAN Energy Solutions, M Maritime, Marshall Islands Registry, Tsakos Group of Companies, to our Gold Supporters, American Bureau of Shipping, Aegean Shipping, Allied Shipbroking, Angelicoussis Group of Companies, BCA College, Blue Planet Shipping, Bright Navigation, Capital Shipmanagement, Costamare Shipping, Crossworld Marine, Diaplous Group,  DNV, FelixBni, Laskaridis Shipping Company, Latsco Marine Management, Lloyd’s Register, Magna Marine, Marichem Marigases Worldwide Services, Metropolitan College, Minoa Marine, Moore, Navarone, Navigator Shipping Consultants, Navios Maritime, PPG, Rina, Safe Bulkers, Seagate Navigation, Star Bulk, Wingu Suite.
Silver Supporters: A.M. Nomikos, Alberta Ship management, Bureau Verita, Chartworld Shipping, Dorian LPG, Euronav, Liberian Registry, Marine Support, Marla Dry, Pavimar, Prime Marine, Samos Steamship, Seamar Management, Technomar Shipping, Thenamaris, TMS Group of Companies, YANMAR Group.
Bronze Supporters: AB Maritime, Alassia, Alma Shipmanagement & Trading S.A, Alpha Gas, Andriaki Shipping, Anosis Maritime, Anthony Giavridis, ARKAS Hellas, Aspida Travel, Bahamas Maritime Authority, Ballas Promotions, Balthellas, Benefit Software, Centrofin Management, Chugoku Marine Paints, Clarksons, Class NK, Controls and Automation Stavros Kassidiaris S.A, Contships, Danelec, Drew Marine, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, ERMA First, Fafalios Shipping, FARAD, Forte Maritime Security, Furuno Hellas, GAC, Gaslog, Genimar, Golden Cargo, Golden Coast Marine, Handy Chart, KEFI S.A, KONKAR, KTE Company Limited, Kyklades Maritime Corporation, LMZ Shipping, Load Line Marine, M.T. Maritime, MacGregor Greece, MAEM, Major & Grove, Marine Tours, MAST Maritime Services, Mylaki Shipping Agency, Naniwa Pump, Nereus Shipping, Oceanfleet Shipping, Optimum Group, Oriani Hellas, Perosea Shipping, Piraeus Port Authority SA, Polembros, Posidonia Events, PYXIS, Seapioneer, Seabright, Sealink, Seanergy, Seascape Marine and Trading, Seaven, Seven Seas Investment Fund, ShipParts, SKF, SuperEco, Survitec, Target Marine, The Swedish Club, Timagenis Law Firm, Tototheo Maritime, Unibros, Union Commercial Incorporated, V.SHIPS Greece, Zepos and Yannopoulos Law Offices.

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.