The Marine Technical Managers Association (MARTECMA) hosted its traditional New Year Pita Cutting ceremony, an event that brought together the elite of the Greek shipping community to celebrate industry milestones and look toward the challenges of 2026.
The evening commenced with a welcome address by Panos Kourkountis, Chairman of MARTECMA. Kourkountis highlighted the Association’s pivotal role in fostering technical excellence and reflected on the significant activities undertaken over the past year. He emphasized that MARTECMA remains a cornerstone for collaboration as the industry navigates a rapidly evolving regulatory and technological landscape.
Underscoring the international influence of Greek shipping, the event featured addresses by the Ambassadors of Japan, the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea. The diplomats collectively expressed their gratitude to Greek shipowners and technical managers for their long-standing trust. They reaffirmed their nations' commitment to supporting the Greek fleet, particularly through ongoing partnerships in the shipbuilding and new construction sectors.
Commitment to Education: The 2026 Benevolence Grants
In a demonstration of the Association’s commitment to the next generation of maritime professionals, MARTECMA announced its Benevolence Grants for 2026. The announcements were led by the Association’s leadership:
- • Antonis Georgantzis (Vice President A’): Announced a significant donation to the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) to support academic excellence in naval architecture and engineering.
- • Fotis Belexis (Vice President B’): Announced a donation to the Nautical Academy of Kalymnos, aimed at bolstering vocational training for future seafarers.
Lifetime Achievement: Honoring Stefanos Tsonakis
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of an Honorary Membership and a Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Stefanos Tsonakis of Eastern Mediterranean Maritime (Eastmed).
The award was presented by Dean Tseretopoulos, who delivered a moving tribute to Tsonakis’s distinguished 44-year career. Recognized as a pillar of the technical community, Tsonakis was lauded for his exemplary service as a Technical Director and his enduring contributions to the standards of Greek ship management.
The event concluded with the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita, symbolizing a prosperous and technologically innovative year ahead for all members and the global maritime industry.
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