Greek Shipping Awards Celebrate Industry Excellence
ATHENS – The 22nd Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards took place on December 5, drawing over 1,100 attendees from Greece’s maritime community. This prestigious event, often referred to as the ‘Dinner of the Year’ for the shipping industry, showcased the achievements of shipowners, entrepreneurs, and innovators, highlighting the sector’s blend of tradition and modernization. The evening featured notable performances and recognized outstanding contributions to the maritime field.
Highlights of the Evening
Co-hosted by ERT broadcast journalist Andriana Paraskevopoulou and Lloyd’s List Athens correspondent Nigel Lowry, the awards ceremony was filled with excitement. Vocal artist Nafsica captivated the audience with surprise performances, including a rendition of a classic song from ‘Grease’ and a tribute to the late Greek singer Dionysis Savvopoulos. The event opened with a speech from Greek Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Vasilis Kikilias, who emphasized the importance of Greek shipping as a strategic pillar for both the country and Europe.
The night’s most prestigious accolade, the Greek Shipping Personality of the Year, was awarded to Maria Angelicoussis, recognizing her leadership during a remarkable year for the Angelicoussis Group, which included a historic $2 billion acquisition of Altera Shuttle Tankers. Christopher Wiernicki, retiring after 15 years as chairman and CEO of ABS, received the International Personality of the Year Award, assuring attendees of his continued involvement in the industry. The Lloyd’s List / Propeller Club Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Antonis Comninos, acknowledging his five decades of service in the maritime sector.
Other notable awards included the Next Generation Shipping Award, given to Marielena Procopiou for her rapid expansion of Delos Navigation and Akrotiri Tankers. Semiramis Paliou, CEO of Diana Shipping, was named Newsmaker of the Year for her strategic initiatives, including a bid to acquire Genco. The evening also celebrated corporate achievements, with Neptune Lines recognized for its automotive transportation success and Tsakos Energy Navigation awarded Deal of the Year for a lucrative contract with Petrobras.
Recognizing Excellence and Innovation
The awards ceremony not only honored individual and corporate achievements but also recognized heroism at sea. Megatugs Salvage & Towage received the Safety Award for their daring rescue of the Sounion tanker following a Houthi attack. Captain Dionysios Arkalis of Costamare was named Greek Seafarer of the Year for his courageous rescue of stranded crew members in the South Atlantic.
Capital Clean Energy Carriers was awarded Ship of the Year for its innovative liquefied CO₂ carrier, while the Aspropyrgos Merchant Marine Academy received accolades for its long-standing contributions to maritime education. Other awards included Shipping Financier of the Year for CrediaBank and Shipbroker of the Year for Intermodal, showcasing the diverse talents and contributions within the Greek shipping industry.
Proceeds from the event supported Argo, a charity dedicated to assisting children with disabilities in families of Greek seafarers. Winners were selected by an independent judging panel, reflecting a broad representation of the maritime community. The Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards continue to be a vital platform for celebrating excellence and innovation in the shipping sector.
