These are the Greek shipowners with the greatest influence internationally

By George George

Important personalities of the Greek shipping community are included in the list of the 100 most influential people in the global shipping industry, which is published annually by Lloyd’s List.

Specifically, in 9th place is Maria Angelikoussi, head of one of the largest shipping groups in the world (Maran Tankers, Maran Dry, Maran Gas). “The new CEO was taught by the best – the late father of Giannis – and seems ready to lead the Group to a charred future” it is pointed out about Ms. Angelikoussi.

In 12th place is George Prokopiou, head of the companies Dynacom, Dynagas and Sea Traders. Special mention is made by Lloyd’s List scholars on the recent dominance of the shipowner in the competitions for the Scaramanga Shipyards. “Without fear of being a pioneer, the Greek shipowner adds the largest Greek shipyards to his shipping empire with tankers, bulkers and LNG carriers.”

A little further down in 18th place we meet Angeliki Frangou, head of the Navios group. Ms. Frangou has created the largest shipping company on the US stock market, rekindling the debate over the strategy to be followed by shipping on Wall Street. “Originally from Chios, it has managed to oversize the fleet of Navios Maritime Partners during 2021, creating a diversified fleet of over 140 ships”, it is pointed out, while special emphasis is given to business activity in Latin America, through Navios South American Logistics.

In 22nd place is the president of the Hellenic Shipowners’ Association, Theodoros Veniamis. “Under his long tenure, the largest shipowners ‘association in the world seems to have come out of its shell,” Lloyd’s List said, focusing on Mr Veniamis’ quest for safety and the environment.

Ten places below (32nd) we meet Petros Pappas, head of Star Bulk Carriers. “Being at the helm of the largest listed company in the US stock market with a fleet of bulk carriers and emphasizing ESG issues, Mr. Pappas has established his position among the industry leaders,” it said. “Star Bulk is showing its dynamics, through the rise of the stock and the production of high profits for the shareholders”, the researchers add.

Next is George Economou (34th place), who is at the helm of TMS Group. The shipowner has strengthened its fleets with new LNG carriers, bulk carriers and tankers. “He is skeptical about how long the transition to the land of the promise of zero emissions will take, and as long as uncertainty remains, it is likely to maintain an opportunistic approach to the maritime game,” Oikonomou was quoted as saying.

He is followed by Peter Libanos (41st place), head of GasLog and DryLog, who “remains an influential player and is a green shipping champion”, according to Lloyd’s List. Of course, the focus is on GasLog’s recent agreement with BlackRock, which focuses on LNG.

In 43rd place is Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos, head of Costamare. Mr. Konstantakopoulos attracted more attention than usual, as he thought “outside the box”, the researchers underline, referring of course to the impressive expansion of the company in the bulk dry cargo sector, but also to the first bond of the Greek shipping company through the Athens Stock Exchange.

“Determined to be at the forefront of green shipping” is, according to researchers, Vangelis Marinakis, head of the Capital group, which is in 47th place on the list. “Either through purchases, sales, orders or through mergers, the Greek shipowner makes money and strengthens his reputation as a shrewd deal-maker, expanding the group in the long run,” it said.

A new “entry” in the list is Semiramis Paliou, head of Diana Shipping and Helmepa, which is located in 81st place. Ms. Paliou succeeded her father in the shipping business in 2020 and has managed to have a significant impact on the bulk dry cargo industry. “Her emergence as an industry leader coincides with better days for the dry cargo industry and greater pressure on shipping to enhance its environmental action,” the researchers note.

The list, specifically in 89th place, includes the Cypriot Despina Theodosiou, president of WISTA International. “The president of the international association, whose term expires next year, has been very active in a number of initiatives, including research to define the multifaceted role of women in the shipping industry,” it said.

At the top of the list of the 100 most influential people in the shipping industry is the duo of the leading regular company, the Danish Maersk, Robert Uggla and Søren Skou. Second is the Aponte family, which operates the second largest regular shipping company, Mediterranean Shipping Co. The European Commission (Ursula von der Leyen, Frans Timmermans and Adina Vălean) closes the trio for the arrangements it promotes to protect the environment.

It is noted, finally, that in 100th place we find the research documentary Black Trail, which divided the shipping community and was widely discussed in our country, after the statements of the shipowner Panos Laskaridis.