The 22nd Annual Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards Honor

ATHENS – On December 5, Greece’s maritime industry came together for the 22nd Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards, attracting over 1,100 attendees. This prestigious event, often referred to as Greek shipping’s “Dinner of the Year,” showcased the achievements of prominent shipowners, innovative entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. The awards ceremony highlighted the sector’s rich traditions while embracing its ongoing transformation.

The evening was co-hosted by ERT broadcast journalist Andriana Paraskevopoulou and Nigel Lowry, Lloyd’s List Athens correspondent and founder of the Greek Shipping Hall of Fame. A special performance by vocal artist Nafsica captivated the audience, featuring popular songs from the musical ‘Grease’ and a tribute to the late Greek singer Dionysis Savvopoulos.

Honoring Industry Leaders and Innovations

The night’s most coveted accolade, the Greek Shipping Personality of the Year, was awarded to Maria Angelicoussis, recognizing her leadership during a remarkable year for the Angelicoussis Group. The company completed a historic $2 billion acquisition of Altera Shuttle Tankers, marking a significant milestone in its history. Awards were presented across 19 categories, celebrating various facets of Greece’s maritime cluster.

Christopher Wiernicki received the International Personality of the Year Award as he prepares to retire after 15 years as chairman and CEO of ABS. Wiernicki expressed his belief in the future of Greek shipping, assuring attendees of his continued involvement in the industry. The Lloyd’s List / Propeller Club Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Antonis Comninos, founder of Target Marine and Horizon Tankers, recognizing his over five decades of service in the sector.

Marielena Procopiou, daughter of shipping magnate George Prokopiou, was honored with the Next Generation Shipping Award for her rapid expansion of Delos Navigation and Akrotiri Tankers. She emphasized the importance of carrying forward the legacy of previous generations while introducing new ideas. Semiramis Paliou, CEO of Diana Shipping, was named Newsmaker of the Year for her strategic initiatives, including a bid to acquire US-listed Genco.

Corporate Achievements and Community Support

In the corporate categories, Neptune Lines stood out for its achievements in automotive transportation, projecting to carry 1.8 million vehicles while expanding its operations. Seaven Tanker Management made history as the first short-sea operator to win Tanker Company of the Year, while Minoan Lines was recognized as Passenger Line of the Year. Tsakos Energy Navigation received the Deal of the Year Award for a lucrative nine-vessel shuttle tanker project with Petrobras, expected to generate around $2 billion in revenue.

The Powerhouses of Global Shipping: Top Greek Shipowners by Fleet Size

The event also recognized heroism at sea, awarding Megatugs Salvage & Towage the Safety Award for their daring salvage of the fire-stricken tanker Sounion. Captain Dionysios Arkalis of Costamare was honored as Greek Seafarer of the Year for rescuing stranded crew members in the South Atlantic.

Greek Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Vasilis Kikilias opened the event with a speech praising the maritime sector as a strategic pillar for Greece and Europe. Proceeds from the awards supported Argo, a charity dedicated to assisting children with disabilities in the families of Greek seafarers. Winners were selected by an independent judging panel representing a diverse cross-section of the maritime community.