Angelicoussis, Wiernicki, Paliou, Comninos and Procopiou among the personalities recognised at 22nd Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards
Shipowners Neptune Lines, Seaven Tanker Management, Atlantic Bulk Carriers and Tsakos won major awards in a ceremony that entertained but also engaged with important issues.
Some of the most prestigious and successful individuals and companies in Greek shipping, as well as a number of exciting newcomers, were recognised as the 2025 Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards highlighted the know-how and dedication of the industry as it navigates turbulent times for global trade.
An industry gathering of more than 1,000 guests on Friday, December 5 enjoyed Greek shipping’s ‘Dinner of the Year’, in an evening dedicated to Greece and its leadership in international shipping.
Neptune Lines, the country’s major liner operator, was named Dry Cargo Company of the Year after an exceptional 2025 that has seen the company advance and expand with a number of important initiatives. Seaven Tanker Management became the first short-sea shipping company to scoop one of the major awards as it won the Tanker Company of the Year category. The Passenger Line of the Year Award was won by Minoan Lines.
Tsakos Energy Navigation won the Deal of the Year Award for a mammoth deal for nine shuttle tankers that it will construct for long-term charter to Transpetro, a subsidiary of Brazil’s Petrobras, that will generate an estimated $2bn in revenues.
Other shipping companies to win important awards included Atlantic Bulk Carriers, that won the Sustainability Award, and Ariston Navigation, that was presented with the Technical Achievement Award for its retrofitting and testing of the Petroduct, a new energy-saving device invented by Emmanouil Petromanolakis.
The Safety Award was won by Megatugs Salvage & Towage for its epic salvage of the Greek-flagged tanker Sounion, left burning in the Red Sea after being attacked by the Houthis. The operation averted an environmental catastrophe and made international headlines for its daring and professionalism.
Personalities winning individual awards were led by shipowner Maria Angelicoussis who was unveiled as Greek Shipping Personality of the Year for 2025, reflecting her group’s ongoing support for the Greek flag and cadet training, but in particular the largest-ever transaction in the history of the Angelicoussis Group – its $2bn takeover of Altera Shuttle Tankers, now renamed Maran Shuttle Tankers.
Anthony E. Comninos was recognised for a remarkable career with the Lloyd’s List / Propeller Club Lifetime Achievement Award. Marielena Procopiou, founder and chief executive of Delos Navigation and Akrotiri Tankers, won the Next Generation Shipping Award for outstanding personalities under 40.
Semiramis Paliou, chief executive of New York-listed Diana Shipping and chairperson of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (Helmepa), was unveiled as Newsmaker of the Year.
Christopher J. Wiernicki, retiring after 15 years as president and chief executive of classification society ABS was hailed as International Personality of the Year.
Traditionally one of the highlights of the annual awards ceremony, the Seafarer of the Year award was presented to Costamare containership master Captain Dionysios Arkalis, whose vessel rescued the seven-man crew of a small vessel that had been left drifting in the middle of the South Atlantic for two weeks in a classic case of prioritising the preservation of lives at sea.
As winner of the Award for Achievement in Education or Training, the judging panel chose the Aspropyrgos Merchant Marine Academy, a pillar of the national seafarers’ training system for nearly 70 years.
This year’s Ship of the Year was named as the Active a world-first liquefied CO2 carrier of 22,000 cu m capacity built by HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Korea for Capital Clean Energy Carriers.
Several other important awards recognised excellence and value in Greece’s maritime cluster. CrediaBank was voted Shipping Financier of the Year, while Intermodal was named Shipbroker of the Year.
The Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association won the prestigious Piraeus International Centre Award. The Lloyd’s List Intelligence Big Data Award was won by Nereus Digital Bunkering for its innovative bunkering management platform.
Brilliant singer Nafsica made a special guest appearance on stage, thrilling the audience with surprise performances of one of the most popular songs from Grease as well as a rendering of Thalassographia in tribute to Greek singer and songwriter Dionysis Savvopoulos, who passed away in October.
The event was attended by Minister of Shipping & Island Policy Vasilis Kikilias who delivered a welcome address.
Neptune Maritime Leasing was the overall lead sponsor of the Greek Shipping Awards for a third consecutive year.
Guests enjoyed a pre-dinner drinks reception hosted by prominent shipbroking firm Allegiant (Shipping).
Dimitris Vranopoulos of sponsor Marine Plus offered the traditional champagne toast to the health of Greek shipping.
A donation from proceeds of the event went to Argo, the charity supporting children with disabilities in the families of Greek seafarers. The donation was kindly presented to Argo by Gianluca Tucci, director general of the San Marino Ship Register, which also sponsored the event’s Gallery of Winners, an entrance chamber chronicling past honorees of the event launched in 2004.
The annual awards recognise achievement and meritorious activity in the Greek shipping industry and promote Greece as a maritime centre. Winners are chosen by an independent panel of judges representing a broad cross-section of the Greek shipping industry.
The Greek Shipping Awards thanked all the Greek and international sponsors of the prestigious event, many of which have loyally supported the Awards for many years. This year saw Eurobank complete 10 years of support for the event, a milestone recognised in the form of an honorary statuette presented to the sponsor.
The Winners
Dry Cargo Company of the Year
Neptune Lines
In a nation of ‘tramp’ and bulk shipowners, you could say that the country’s leading liner operator stands out every year.
Neptune Lines however was recognised for an exceptional year.
Competing in the highly demanding automotive logistics sector, Neptune connects about 50 ports on regular services.
This year the company is on course to move a record 1.8m cars. It has expanded into on-shore logistics and in southern France is opening its first automotive port terminal.
It recently launched a new dedicated service in Latin America, and it has four new Pure Car-Truck Carriers under construction that can run on LNG or very low sulphur fuel oil.
Tanker Company of the Year
Seaven Tanker Management
Seaven Tanker Management was named Tanker Company of the Year for a combination of reasons: A reliable track record of safe tanker operations, measurable environmental progress, community engagement and strong governance.
The company’s success highlights that a smaller, non-listed company can achieve excellence alongside the industry’s largest players.
Seaven’s all-Greek-flag fleet of oil-chemical tankers mainly trades across the Mediterranean, Black Sea and North Europe ports, serving oil majors and well-known traders.
In November 2018, Seaven became the first company in the world with vessels under 10,000 dwt, to be certified by the Green Award Foundation.
The company has developed a comprehensive Green Transition Plan, adopting biofuels, retrofits and advanced low-friction coatings to reduce carbon intensity by 40% by 2030. It has been voluntarily publishing ESG reports since 2022.
And Seaven is embarking on fleet renewal. This year it acquired the 7,348 dwt tanker ‘Seaven Crest’, its youngest and largest tanker to date.
Passenger Line of the Year
Minoan Lines
It has been just over half a century since Minoan Lines launched its first ferry on its home Cretan service and it has garnered praise for its service ever since.
Now part of the Naples-based Grimaldi Group, Minoan was selected by the judges for the calibre of its ships and its overall offering to passengers, as well as for a number of signature developments.
The company is awaiting two large next-generation ro-pax ferries from a series of six the group has ordered from China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard. The vessels will be able to run on methanol and will be among the largest in the Mediterranean.
The panel was also impressed by the company’s social contributions, its introduction of Milos island as a new destination from 2024, and its involvement in a consortium with Grimaldi to acquire the port of Heraklion, following a similar investment in the port of Igoumenitsa two years ago.
Shipbroker of the Year
Intermodal Shipbrokers
Established in 1984, Intermodal Shipbrokers has expanded steadily and has become one of the longest-established and trusted shipbrokers in Greece.
An office in Shanghai was opened in 2005 and since then the company has also established a representative office in Singapore.
Originally focused mainly on sales & purchase and dry cargo chartering, Intermodal has broadened its range of services to become a true one-stop shop.
The last year has been a landmark one, as the firm enjoyed its best-ever year for sales & purchases, as well as facilitating prestigious newbuilding projects and arranging an unprecedented number of repairs and conversions.
Important strategic moves have seen Intermodal successfully absorb leading S&P broker Golden Destiny and launch Margos, a new company for trading marine equipment and spare parts.
Shipping Financier of the Year
CrediaBank
Our panel recognised the promising start that CrediaBank has made in becoming a new option for ship finance in Greece.
The fifth-largest bank in the country, it was created after the merger of Attica Bank and Pancreta Bank.
In less than two years, the shipping division has built its portfolio from scratch to a current level of about $430 million in approved loans.
In addition to the strong growth, CrediaBank caught the eye for the highest incidence of sustainability-linked loans — close to 40% — among Greek banks. Judges also welcomed the bank’s wide scope in supporting the industry.
Currently, the mortgaged fleet spans bulkers, tankers, containerships, ferries, tugs and offshore vessels.
The bank is also ready to back companies involved in port operations, offshore services, recycling, repair, marine equipment and exports.
Technical Achievement Award
Ariston Navigation
Shipping companies have a huge role in testing and developing new equipment and devices, but retrofitting with advanced technology may involve substantial engineering and experimentation.
As part of its strategy to modernise its fleet with eco-conscious technologies, Ariston Navigation has provided one of its handysize bulk carriers, the Ardennes, for the worldwide first installation of a new energy-saving device of Greek origin, the Petroduct, invented by Emmanouil Petromanolakis.
Engineered with patented, cutting-edge hydrodynamic technology, the Petroduct has no moving parts and incurs no running expenses. Based on fixed hydrofoils, the device can be retrofitted to the bow of the vessel.
Operating with the Petroduct for the last year, Ariston has validated model testing results of a reduction of more than 10% ves on the in wave-making, leading to lower fuel consumption.
Lloyd’s List Intelligence Big Data Award
Nereus Digital Bunkering
Nereus Digital Bunkers has revolutionised maritime fuel procurement through its cutting-edge bunker management platform.
With over 500 vessels under active management, the platform has transformed operations, with measurable results – an 80% reduction in workload, a 90% reduction in human error rates, and comprehensive automation of manual processes.
Nereus’ holistic approach includes real-time fuel quality analytics, predictive port delay modeling, dynamic pricing trend analysis, vendor performance optimisation metrics, and weather pattern correlation.
The platform has been the first in the market offering bio fuel data and Nereus is also developing analytics for LNG bunkering. Early next year will see the launch of its lubricants management platform that has already received pre-subscriptions for about 400 vessels.
Piraeus International Centre Award
Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association
The Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association for more than 80 years has represented the short sea shipping sector, a vital component of both the Greek and European transport system.
It has long been active in promoting efficiency, sustainability and renewal for the country’s shortsea shipping fleet, and has been an energetic contributor to the Piraeus maritime ecosystem including its longstanding scheme for providing educational scholarships.
2025 has been a landmark year. The association assumed the presidency of the European Shortsea Network and organised a highly successful Shortsea Summit in Athens, making it a deserving recipient of this Award.
The Safety Award
Megatugs Salvage & Towage
Megatugs is recognised primarily for its extraordinary operation to salve the Greek-owned tanker ‘Sounion’ and prevent an environmental catastrophe in the Red Sea.
When the Houthis hit the tanker last year and then deliberately set it ablaze, the vessel was laden with 150,000 tons of oil and its predicament set off global alarm bells.
The risks included sailing into a war zone and chances of success that even the contractors appointed by the insurers put at only 5%.
But Megatugs dedicated two of its vessels to the operation. Its team boarded the burning vessel and manually fought 18 separate fires in temperatures exceeding 500 degrees celsius.
Eventually, the cargo was safely transferred and the ‘Sounion’ was towed back to Greece – with zero loss of life, injuries, or pollution. In words, it sounds more like fiction, so here are some of the images that remind us it actually happened.
International Personality of the Year
Christopher J. Wiernicki
Chris Wiernicki becomes only the second person to win this award twice.
He is widely recognised as a leader whose technical acumen and strategic insights have helped shape the trajectory of shipping today. During his leadership of ABS, which is now drawing to an end, the society has been in the vanguard of digital innovation and integrating technology with safety and risk management.
Throughout his 15-year tenure as ABS chairman and CEO, Mr Wiernicki has been a strong supporter and admirer of Greek shipping, and has invested significantly in expanding the ABS office in Greece.
A reminder of his readiness to speak out with authority on matters of concern came this year when he called for the IMO to take a “time out” and reassess its framework for decarbonising shipping.
Achievement in Education or Training
Aspropyrgos Merchant Marine Academy
This year marks nearly 70 years since the Aspropyrgos Merchant Marine Academy was established, the country’s largest public marine academy.
Ever since, it has been a pillar of the national maritime education system, providing trainee officers with the essentials to meet the increasing demands of the seafaring profession.
Recent investment in simulators and digital tools has improved teaching at the academy and brought the cadets’ education closer to the realities of working on board modern vessels.
The judging panel wished to recognise the longstanding work of the academy and its staff. It also sought to highlight the need for trust in the public maritime education system and to further strengthen its personnel, equipment and infrastructure.
Seafarer of the Year
Capt. Dionysios Arkalis
The Seafarer of the Year Award is based on nominations from the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) and this year went to Captain Dionysios Arkalis for the rescue of seven crew members of a disabled fishing vessel adrift in the middle of the South Atlantic.
Capt Arkalis was in command of the Costamare-owned containership Theseus en route from Baltimore to Malaysia on June 22 when he received an EGC distress message from marine rescue coordinators in Brazil regarding a small vessel ‘Christina Debora’, said to be in serious distress after suffering storm damage and drifting for the previous two weeks.
Previous vessels that had sighted the damaged fishing vessel had been unable to get close enough to rescue the seven-man crew from Tanzania, South Africa and Kenya.
In a 24-hour diversion from its course, the Theseus was able to locate the vessel and Capt Arkalis managed to manoeuver alongside the relatively tiny craft despite strong currents so that the rescued crew could be taken on board.
They were without food, water or navigational equipment and the only means of communication was a Starlink satellite phone connection.
They were rescued shortly before another storm hit the area. The Theseus made a second diversion to safely disembark the men at Cape Town.
The outcome could not have been possible without a master of considerable skill and commitment, supported by a company dedicated to teamwork, safety and care at sea.
Capt Arkalis is a graduate of the Aspropyrgos Merchant Marine Academy and has spent his entire career with Costamare starting as a cadet. He became a master in 2020 and has now commanded six of the company’s containerships.
Ship of the Year
“Active”
A landmark vessel of the future, the liquefied CO2 carrier “Active” opens a new chapter in future carbon transportation solutions and highlights shipping’s role in advancing decarbonisation.
Constructed by HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard as the first of four LCO2 carriers for the Capital Group, “Active” is the world’s first 22,000 cubic metre CO2 carrier and easily the largest vessel of its type yet built.
Its tank technology increases capacity without compromising safety or performance.
Far beyond a single-purpose carrier, the vessel is designed to handle a variety of gas and petrochemical cargoes.
Its revolutionary tank boasts numerous innovations and energy-saving features and is designed with reinforced decks for potential LCO2 deck tanks and powerful auxiliary engines suitable for retrofitting onboard carbon capture systems.
The Sustainability Award
Atlantic Bulk Carriers
Atlantic Bulk Carriers has been a leader in sustainability for many years.
As a signatory of the ‘Call to Action’ under the Getting to Zero Coalition, its targets for reducing the carbon intensity of its own fleet are ambitious.
But the company’s efforts have had a wider effect on the market through its cooperations with designers and builders such as Hyundai and SDARI and international organisations such as BIMCO.
For more than 25 years Atlantic has been introducing fuel-consumption innovations on each new generation of its bulk carriers, the latest being three ultra-efficient ultramax bulk carriers built in Xiang Yu shipyard.
The company’s self-funded R&D budget is used for testing and developing innovative energy-saving devices and Atlantic has been achieving impressive reductions in consumption, emissions, plastic waste and paper reduction.
Deal of the Year
Tsakos Energy Navigation
In an unprecedented year for major deals by Greek principals, the judges chose Tsakos Energy Navigation for ordering nine suezmax shuttle tankers for about $1.3bn secured by 15-year bareboat charters to Transpetro, the logistics subsidiary of Petrobras.
This game-changing deal was won against competition from more than 20 companies worldwide and is the largest transaction in a single shipyard with a single charterer.
As a result, TEN becomes one of the largest players in shuttle tankers and benefits from about $2bn in secured revenues.
Next Generation Shipping Award
Marielena Procopiou
The Next Generation Shipping Award is strictly for younger shipping personalities under 40 years of age.
Marielena Procopiou launched her career as an independent shipowner with her husband Konstantinos Lampsias in 2021 and the company, Delos Navigation, has already built up a fleet of 10 bulkers.
Last year, she also established Akrotiri Tankers and recently Akrotiri has diversified into product tankers with a secondhand purchase followed by her first newbuilding order, two LR1s at New Century Shipbuilding.
Marielena has combined this with starting a family and furthering her education and knowhow. She has an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management where she also completed certificates in business analytics and sustainability.
Delos is a founding member of the MIT Maritime Consortium and Marielena also serves on a number of industry committees.
She has already gained a reputation for her forward-thinking, strong work ethic and hands-on dedication to the business as well as her focus on operational excellence.
Lloyd’s List/Propeller Club
Lifetime Achievement Award
Anthony E. Comninos
Anthony Comninos is one of Greece’s most experienced and respected shipowners and remains active today after more than 50 years in the business.
After spending the early part of his career with older brother Costas in the Comninos Brothers firm he founded his own company, Target Marine, in 1986.
Target started with reefer vessels then expanded with bulk carriers and containerships, placing its first newbuilding order in 2000. It was a pioneer in energy efficiency designs and the new engine technologies.
He diversified into tankers, establishing Horizon Tankers and continues to this day to be active in both tankers and dry bulk carriers. He currently has product tanker newbuildings on order in China.
Over his career, he has managed about 100 vessels of various types and he has also been highly active in art and culture, as well as in public benefit works.
The Anthony E. ComninosFoundation was founded in 2015 as a charity and it gives grants and funds initiatives in the fields of Health, Education and Culture.
Greek Shipping Newsmaker of the Year
Semiramis Paliou
Semiramis Paliou has launched Diana Shipping’s bid to take over Genco Shipping & Trading and capital market circles are buzzing about it. But that’s not all.
It has been an exciting time for Diana under her leadership. 2025 marked the company’s 20th anniversary on the NYSE. It has invested in the wind farm support vessel sector and LPG carrier newbuildings. OceanPal, which Paliou founded as a spin-off from Diana, has just made a stunning turn into cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.
Moreover, she has been elected to a third term heading the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (Helmepa) and is now on course to join George P. Livanos, Helmepa’s founder, as its longest-serving chairperson.
Greek Shipping Personality of the Year
Maria Angelicoussis
Maria Angelicoussis is chief executive of Greece’s largest shipping group.
She has been planning the group’s evolution with bold investments, renewing the fleet with recent orders for LNG carriers, VLCCs and LNG dual-fuel suezmax tankers.
She has maintained the group as a pillar of the Greek flag and of support for Greek cadets and women at sea.
Among developments in the past year that caught the judges’ eye was her $2bn deal to acquire Altera Shuttle Tankers, now renamed Maran Shuttle Tankers. It is the biggest transaction in the history of the Angelicoussis Group and the foundation for making it the largest player in this new sector.
The judges also noted the conviction with which she expressed her positions on the IMO’s decarbonisation plans.
