Attica Group in cooperation with Inmarsat - world leader in global satellite communications - and Thetius - digital consultant - have announced the e-learning technology and service provider Marine Learning Systems (MLS) as the winner of the inaugural «Inmarsat Ferry Open Innovation Challenge: Crew training and entertainment». The announcement was made at the Smart Maritime Network conference which took place on 30th March 2022 in Athens. Marine Learning Systems has secured a £10,000 cash grant to fund the pilot implementation of its end-to-end seafarer training solution on board Attica Group vessel SUPERFAST XI operating between Italy and Greece.

Focusing on the needs of ferry crews, the competition was launched in January 2022, inviting start-ups and SMEs to propose digital solutions with a view to enhance training and offer quality leisure time to marine personnel who spend considerable time at sea. Applicants were asked to offer solutions for improvement in the following areas:

• Ship familiarization for new crew members
• Crew training on safety issues and regulations
• Crew training on customer services offered on board
• Quality leisure time

Entries submitted were evaluated by a committee consisting of Inmarsat, Attica Group and Thetius executives. Comprising the LMS learning platform and SkillGrader assessment tool, the Marine Learning Systems solution enables continuous training by offering interactive content, tailor made to Attica Group needs that can receive updates any time. Crew entertainment is also available. Content and applications are accessible via mobile device or existing on-board computers. Finally, the system uses skill assessment forms, as well as dashboards and reports targeting knowledge gaps and training effectiveness.

Attica Group is active in passenger shipping through SUPERFAST FERRIES, BLUE STAR FERRIES, HELLENIC SEAWAYS and AFRICA MOROCCO LINK, operating 31 vessels in total, which provide modern and high quality transportation services in Greece and abroad. The Group’s vessels travel in 4 countries and 63 unique destinations, reach 78 ports and transport over 3 million passengers, 600,000 private vehicles and 300,000 freight units annually.

In line with the company’s exciting expansion plans Columbia Shipmanagement proceeded the official opening of its new office in Greece.

Situated in Southern Athens near Piraeus, one of Europe’s busiest ports, and close to the capital city, Columbia Shipmanagement Greece will provide ship management and maritime services to new and existing clients. Headed up by Gregory Spourdalakis, General Manager, it will also be able to promptly attend and provide services to all CSM managed vessels as well as other clients & partners requiring support in the area.

The new office officially opened on March 24^th and will offer cost-effective and fully optimised support services expertly tailored to individual client’s needs, resulting in the delivery of top quality modular maritime solutions.

An additional benefit to the new office location is its proximity to other Greek commercial ports and access to the service provision of the local services of the CSM network, including the expertise of the Cyprus region and its management capabilities.

Welcoming the opening of the new office, Mark O’Neil, CSM President and CEO, said it was a natural development for CSM to position itself near to what is one of the world’s most important shipowning centres.

“Greece is a major maritime country and the importance of its shipowners and ports cannot be understated. We look forward to working with our existing and new clients to ensure they receive the necessary support they may need to drive forward their businesses and fleets,” he said.

Image: The Team at the new CSM Greek office accompanied by the Top Management

Water treatment & environmental response specialists, Environmental Protection Engineering (EPE), and their sister company, industry-leading ballast water treatment specialists ERMA FIRST, have pushed forward plans to diversify product ranges and services.

oneTANK, producer of the world’s smallest ballast water treatment system, was acquired by ERMA FIRST last year. Respected German marine water treatment system manufacturer, RWO, was also brought into the fold in 2021.

Last month (March 2022), EPE launched EPE Yachting - a new division offering sustainable solutions for the superyacht market. 

The division offers cutting-edge water treatment and emissions abatement technologies as well as innovative professional cleaning services. Both RWO and oneTANK are available under the EPE Yachting offering.

EPE Yachting also partners with Blucher, Evac, Ingersoll Rand, Marioff, Teekay Pipe Coupling, Triclad and Wärtsilä SAM Electronics.

Speaking at the Nor-Shipping tradeshow in Norway, Helen Polychronopoulou, EPE Vice President and President of the Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers & Exporters (HEMEXPO) association said: 

 “We are on track to building a Greek marine manufacturing powerhouse, with sustainability, reliability and customer care at our core. We have exciting new products in the pipeline, great customers and a global footprint. Watch this space.” 

To date, ERMA FIRST has installed over 2,500 ballast water treatment systems on more than 1,800 ships worldwide. Its global after-sales network now encompasses locations in 16 locations as well as a tie up with MAN Energy Solutions in the Benelux region. 

ERMA FIRST also owns intelligent-performance monitoring firm METIS, acquired in 2019, which brings integrated artificial intelligence to the ERMA FIRST FIT BWTS system.

"Our purchase of oneTANK last year was a game-changer for the ballast water treatment market," added ERMA FIRST Managing Director Konstantinos Stampedakis.

"The system is compact, simple-to-use, and fully automated. It delivers a quick to install additional solution for small ballast tanks on big ships as well as a stand-alone solution for small vessels such as yachts, tugs and offshore support vessels. 

"We were also delighted to welcome RWO into the fold. RWO is a world leader in water treatment systems for the shipping industry with a strong customer base and a reputation for excellence and reliability."

ERMA FIRST Group is headquartered in Piraeus and employs over 350 people globally.

Following its 27th Annual General Assembly and elections for the new Board of Directors and Auditing Committee of WISTA Hellas, held on Thursday 31th March 2022, WISTA Hellas is pleased to announce the new Board of Directors and Auditing Committee, for the term 2022-2024:

President Mrs. Elpi Petraki, Operations/Chartering & Business Development Manager, Enea Management INC

Vice-President Mrs. Elina Kassotaki, Business Development Manager, Holland Hellenic Shipping Agencies Ltd.

General Secretary Mrs. Elina Souli, Regional Business Development Director V.P. – FD&D Manager, American P&I Club (Shipowners Claims Bureau Inc., Hellas)

Treasurer Mrs. Akrivi Brikou, CFO, Efshipping Company S.A.

Member Ms. Anna Giatra, Shipbroker, Renaissance Shipbroking S.A.

Mrs. Katerina Konsta, Mrs. Despina Kalfa and Christiana Prekezes have been elected Substitute Members of the BoD, while Mrs. Ioanna Topaloglou, Mrs. Vivi Kolliopoulou and Mrs. Elizabeth Ioannidi shall serve as members of the Auditing Committee.

The re-elected President of WISTA Hellas, Elpi Petraki, has been an active member of the Association for the last 22 years and she has served as Vice President of the BoD for 4 years and President for the past 2 years. She is also the II Vice President of Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association (HSSA), member of the BoD of Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and member of the BoD of Hellenic Maritime Museum. She constantly works towards encouraging diversity and supporting the empowerment of women in all sectors of the shipping industry. She believes that sustainable development is achieved when people use new technologies and innovation for their own prosperity and for the benefit of the environment.

The Annual General Assembly was marked by an impressive turnout, with 123 members attending and 52 members represented by proxies. The members received a detailed update on the accomplishments of the Association and endorsed the balance sheet for 2021 and the budget for 2022. Furthermore, the amendment of the Association’s by-laws was deemed necessary, which was endorsed with a strong majority by the members.

The BoD of WISTA Hellas would like to express its most sincere gratitude to the past BoD members, Mrs. Christiana Prekezes and Mrs. Despina Kalfa for their devotion and achievements over the last two years.

The BoD of WISTA Hellas would like to thank the members of WISTA Hellas for their vote of confidence and especially for their loyalty and continuous support to the Association.

ABOUT WISTA HELLAS

WISTA Hellas is member of WISTA International, a global women’s network of maritime and trade professionals in 54 countries. Its members hold key managerial positions in companies and organizations and are influential decision makers. WISTA’s mission is the interaction among the members, the promotion of professional relations and the support and empowerment of women. It is an important and influential network with vast activity in national and international fora. WISTA International has received Consultative Status with IMO.

Photo Caption Photo WISTA Hellas BoD 2022-202:

L-R Anna Giatra, Elina Souli, Akrivi Brikou, Elpi Petraki, Elina Kassotaki

In March 2022, the Panamax Bulk Carrier “TINA IV” (GT 40,170 - DWT 75,200), laden with 66,000 tonnes of Indonesian steam coal, ran aground while transiting outbound passage from Balikpapan Port fairway, Indonesia, with destination to Yeosu, Korea.   

On 29 March, Tsavliris despatched the mega terminal barge “KFT-1” to lighten the vessel. On 30 March the discharging process commenced and 23,000 tonnes of coal were offloaded in record time of 29 hours. On 1 April the casualty was successfully refloated and the vessel was escorted by four port tugs to Balikpapan anchorage area, Zona A, where the cargo was efficiently reloaded from the “KFT-1” within 13 hours. On 2 April, the operation was successfully completed and on 3 April the vessel resumed her voyage.  

Sharing the vision of Marshall Islands Registry for highest levels of quality customer-services International Registries, Inc. and its affiliates (IRI), which provide administrative and technical support to the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime and Corporate Registries, announced the promotion of Simon Bonnett and Theo Xenakoudis. Simon Bonnett, who has served as Senior Vice President, Technical since 2018 was promoted to Chief Maritime Officer and Theo Xenakoudis, the organization’s Director, Worldwide Business Operations since 2015 and Managing Director of the Piraeus office since 2007, now serves as Chief Commercial Officer.

Simon Bonnett and Theo Xenakoudis will manage and expand upon the responsibilities of the current Chief Operations Officer, John Ramage, who will retire at the end of June 2022 following a 51-year career in the maritime industry.

Speaking in Oslo during Nor-Shipping week, IRI President Bill Gallagher said, “we owe a debt of gratitude to John, and he will be greatly missed throughout the industry. We are honored to promote Simon and Theo who bring with them decades of experience and a shared commitment for ensuring the highest levels of quality customer-service.”

As the London based Chief Maritime Officer, Simon Bonnett will be responsible for the oversight of the Maritime Services Group, which supports the RMI Registry’s fleet of more than 5,200 vessels. With his extensive technical experience as a former Lloyd’s Register surveyor, and more than 12 years with IRI, Simon Bonnett brings the experience, knowledge, and capability needed to oversee the Maritime Services Group as it navigates and advises on new and advanced technologies.

“Demonstrating regulatory compliance is top of the agenda for most shipowners as is the use of new technologies and designs to reduce shipping’s environmental impact,” said Simon Bonnett. “We are and always have been a forward-thinking registry. Our high-quality technical experts and teams positioned around the world assist clients as they navigate this competitive market, and I am looking forward to the future as we continue to innovate with technology, alternative fuels, renewables, and autonomous vessels.”

Based in Piraeus, Greece, Theo Xenakoudis joined IRI in 2001 as Business Development Manager, became Managing Director of the Piraeus office in 2007, and in 2015 was promoted to Director, Worldwide Business Operations. As Chief Commercial Officer he will continue to support owners and operators globally and focus on the Registry’s growth worldwide, with a continued eye toward emerging markets such as the global renewables market. He will also be heading up the global vessel registration teams.

“The RMI is the flag of choice for many of the world’s leading owners because of our reputation for quality and client service,” said Theo Xenakoudis. “With more owners than ever before seeking to demonstrate their commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, choosing to flag with a registry with a demonstrable commitment to strong regulatory and trade compliance is more important than ever. We are proud of our commitment to a sustainable future for shipping.”

IRI’s collaborative approach to meet the highest standards of operation and client service is showcased by the RMI Registry’s outstanding PSC record including an unprecedented 18 consecutive years on the United States Coast Guard’s QUALSHIP 21 program. It is also ranked in the top 10 of both the Paris and Tokyo Memorandums of Understanding White Lists, and has an excellent record with the Australian Maritime Safety Administration.

“Our long-standing investment in building a global team and industry relationships, ensures that we are uniquely positioned with both an experienced team, strong relationships, and the right services to assist our clients,” said Bill Gallagher. “Simon and Theo have shown they have the qualities to drive our teams forward and I am excited for this next chapter.”