The Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards 2024 brought together hundreds of industry leaders in Athens, celebrating the achievements of local and international shipping.
Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanolis attended on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus and presented the ‘Achievement in Education or Training 2024’ award to Captain Panagiotis Tsakos.
Speaking at the event, she said, “Congratulations to Tsakos Merchant Marine Academy for this great distinction, as well as to all the awardees, consisting of distinguished professionals and companies that contribute to the continuous development of Greek and global shipping.”
She emphasised maritime education as a cornerstone of the industry and praised Captain Tsakos for his unwavering dedication to this cause.
Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, representing Tototheo Global, presented the award for ‘Shipping Financier of the Year 2024’ to Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd.
“I was honoured to represent Tototheo Global tonight in presenting the Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Award for Shipping Financier of the Year 2024 to Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd,” she said.
She continued, “In a capital-intensive industry like shipping, financiers play a pivotal role in unlocking value through innovation and driving sustainable growth.”
She explained further that “By recognising excellence in shipping finance, we celebrate visionary organisations that address the sector’s investment needs—embracing new technologies, meeting regulatory demands, and building resilience in an ever-evolving landscape.”
Theodosiou concluded by saying that “At Tototheo Global, we recognise the critical importance of collaboration across the maritime industry and the value of robust financial strategies to support investments in innovative solutions for an increasingly digital and interconnected future.”
The Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards, established in 2004, has become a key event in the maritime calendar, honouring excellence across a diverse range of categories.
This year, a distinguished panel of judges, broadly representative of Greek shipping, selected the winners, reflecting the breadth and depth of the sector’s contributions.
Categories ranged from dry cargo, tankers, and passenger liners to achievements in safety, sustainability, technology, shipbuilding, finance, and beyond.
A significant highlight this year was the introduction of a new award, ‘Deal of the Year,’ which recognised outstanding transactions completed in the past year.
This marked the first new category introduced in several years, building on the success of the ‘Deal of the Decade’ awards held in 2013 and 2023.
The 2024 Lloyd’s List Awards winners included a diverse array of professionals and organisations.
Marichem Marigases earned recognition in the dry cargo sector, while Capital Group, led by Vangelis Marinakis, took home the Tanker Company of the Year award, sponsored by Bureau Veritas.
Variety Cruises, represented by Philippos Venetopoulos, was awarded Passenger Line of the Year, with sponsorship by SWS.
In the shipbroking category, Diamond Shipbroking, led by Dimitris I. Diamantidis, emerged victorious, sponsored by TEN LTD.
Neptune Maritime Leasing, under Harris Antoniou, was honoured as Shipping Financier of the Year, with Tototheo Global as sponsor.
Meanwhile, Martecma’s Panos Kourkountis received the Technical Achievement award, backed by DNV.
The Safety award went to Eunavfor operation Aspides, sponsored by Seajets, while the Piraeus International Centre accolade was presented to Yes Forum, led by Danae Bezantakou, and sponsored by ClassNK.
In the realm of technology, Harbor Data’s Antonis Malaxianakis received recognition in the Big Data category, sponsored by Zygos Maritime.
Other notable winners included Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the IMO, who was named International Personality of the Year.
The ‘Seafarer of the Year’ honour was shared by Stamatis Kalfamanolis and Michalis Lignos.
The Ship of the Year award was presented to FRSU Alexandroupolis of Gastrade, led by Dimitris Kopelouzos, with sponsorship from ABS.
Sustainability efforts were recognised with an award to Angelicoussis Group, sponsored by LR. Amalia Provelengiou received the ‘Woman of the Sea’ title, sponsored by the Panama Maritime Authority.
The prestigious ‘Deal of 2024’ award was given to StarBulk, under Petros Pappas, and sponsored by Timagenis Law.
Sifis I. Vardinoyannis took home the Next Generation Shipping award, sponsored by Marshall Islands Registry.
Lifetime achievement in the maritime sector was recognised with an award to Themistoklis Vokos, sponsored by Franman.
Yannis Dragnis was named Shipping Newsmaker, sponsored by LPC SA, while Elpi Petraki was celebrated as Greek Shipping Personality of the Year, sponsored by Eurobank.
The event’s strong support network included Neptune Maritime Leasing as the Event Sponsor, CMB Financial Leasing as the Campagne Toast Sponsor, and Allegiant Shipping, which provided the welcome drinks.