The Greek Shipping Podcast

Dr. Kelly Gerakoudi hosts Mr. John Dragnis, CEO of Goldenport Group, for an insightful conversation on leadership, strategic decision-making, and the evolution of Greek shipping. Together, they discuss navigating industry change, building a diversified shipping company, and the bold moves behind going public, delisting, and adapting in a competitive market. With his steady leadership and sharp perspective, Mr. Dragnis offers valuable insights for anyone interested in maritime busi...

Dr. Kelly Gerakoudi hosts an inspiring conversation with Professor Maria Efthymiou, historian of Hellenic and global history. Together, they explore the deep currents of Greek maritime history, culture, and tradition, uncovering the remarkable stories that shaped Greece’s rise as a global shipping powerhouse. Don’t miss this journey through time, sea, and identity, with one of Greece’s most captivating historical voices.

Mr. Alexander Hadjipateras, a leading figure in Greek shipping, joins Dr. Kelly Gerakoudi on the Greek Shipping Podcast for a dynamic and insightful conversation. Τhis episode features reflections on personal experiences, industry trends, and leadership in the evolving LPG sector. Through the lens of tradition and innovation, Mr. Hadjipateras shares his perspective as both a legacy bearer and a forward-thinking executive, offering valuable insights into the future of maritime transport....

Season 2-Episode 2: In this episode of the Greek Shipping Podcast, Dr. Kelly Gerakoudi welcomes Ms. Ioanna Procopiou, CEO of Seatraders and Prominence Maritime, for an in-depth discussion on the realities of the shipping industry. Through an unscripted, radio-style conversation, Ms. Procopiou shares her professional journey, key industry insights, and perspectives on leadership and the evolving maritime landscape. Her extensive experience provides valuable takeaways for industry professionals...

Season 2-Episode 1: Sea Stories from 32 Years in Shipping with Antonis Lambros! In the premiere episode of Season 2, we welcome Mr. Antonis Lambros, a seasoned shipping professional with over 32 years of experience, including 26 years at Centrofin Management Inc. With a background in Mechanical Engineering, he has played a key role in technical management, crisis response, fleet operations, ship financing, and vessel sales across tankers, bulk carriers, and cruise ships. We discuss his career...

Mr. Kontes narrates to us in this episode, his family’s initial foray into shipping, crediting his father’s profound impact on his decision to pursue the same path. He recounts his experiences from his travels on the cruise ships where he worked in his early days and outlines the reasons he shifted from cruise ships to containers and bulk carriers, while not omitting to give his take on the fact that Greeks are considered the "first" in shipping. In conclusion, he imparts valuable advice to t...

Alex Hadjipateras shares with us the origins of his family's successful shipping career, dating back approximately 100 years, driven by the aspiration to enhance their quality of life. With deep pride and reverence for his heritage, he openly acknowledges the weighty legacy and personal responsibility he carries, drawing wisdom from the past while keeping an eye on the future. He recounts the establishment of Greece's first tanker company, Dorian Hellas, in 1973, spearheaded by his visionary ...

In this episode of the Greek Shipping podcast, Mrs. Daifa shares the remarkable journey of her father, Stavros Daifas, a self-made shipowner who achieved great success at a young age. He embarked on his entrepreneurial path by acquiring his first motor ship, which eventually led to the establishment of a fleet of trucks operating in the Mediterranean. Mrs. Daifa highlights the significance of her father's initial venture, Stavros Daifas Marine Enterprises, and the groundbreaking innovations h...

Mrs. Bezantakou narrates the story of her family's involvement in shipping, starting from her father, a captain in Thenamaris, with references to Mrs. Nounou Martinou and the power of collaboration, which is a fundamental principle of the family. She mentioned her, visiting as a child her parents' workplace, the rich stimuli, and her engagement in small jobs as a game, which made her love shipping deeply and become close, from a very young age, to the values and importance of the industry. Sh...

Mr. Charalambos Simantonis starts this, quite interesting conversation, with references to his family shipping company in Piraeus (ships which were built at Hellenic Shipyards) and continues with his path in Merchant Shipping. He talks about the role models and the great personalities of Greek Shipping, as well as the influence his father had on him and on the way he perceives the industry, advising the younger generation to work in a plethora of different shipping companies, in order to gai...

The interview for this podcast was taken in “Aplotaria”, the main comercial street of Chios island, in a very casual conversation amongst the bustling local market. This interview is a journey through time and homage to all the significant points that contributed to the success of Greek Shipping. An interview worth listening because it signifies the acknowledgment of Greek sailors by Mr. Pateras, the important role of women who supported Greek Shipping as wives and mothers, the need to ...

In this Interview, Mr. Tsantanis opens up to us in regards to the beginning of his banking career, up to his current position as the Chairman and CEO of Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp.; a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. He describes his involvement with Shipping, as something he particularly likes and also discusses the current needs of the shipping sector, such as Sustainability, Performance and Regulation; departments, which should definitely be at the focus of the new...

In this interview Mr. Platsidakis describes us his personal story starting as a student of Mathematics and ‘leading his way’ through a series of ‘coincidences’ to be today one of the most influential people in the Shipping industry according to Lloyd’s List 100 Most Influential People. John Platsidakis started his career in 1978 at Bank of America in Athens, Piraeus and London. He resigned the Bank in 1987 with the title of Vice President and joined Marmaras Shipping Group in Piraeus as Fina...

Mr. George A. Tsavliris was born in London. He graduated from Athens College in 1968 and having acquired professional qualifications in Shipping (F.I.C.S., ACI.Arb), he concluded his graduate and post graduate studies in Shipping Law at University College London in 1973. He familiarized himself with the shipping and salvage sectors from a very early age by being engaged in the family business. Mr. George Tsavliris is a Principal at “Tsavliris Salvage Group” and represents the business on both...

In this interview, Mr. Vokos describes how the Posidonia exhibition has evolved to what it is today, from the 1960s, and also gives us an overview of this year's Posidonia which is set to reach the maximum number of participations, since the beginning of the exhibition. We discuss the perspective of the Shipping Industry development in Greece, the unchanged love of the Greek shipowners for everything Greek, their admission to wanting Greece to be the most advanced shipowner country, whi...

Mr. Dragnis, in the interview he gave us last September, talks about the Yachting industry and the leading position of Greece on the world map, the important advantages of working in the industry, as well as the ever-increasing presence of women in it. In addition, we discussed the boat construction in Perama, the staffing of crews by Greeks, as well as the great development opportunities that Greek companies, offering yacht services, have. Concluding, he pointed out the challenges of the ind...

George M. Foustanos was born in Athens in 1948. He studied Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding at the Southampton College of Technology before joining his family’s business – Valmas Shipping Ltd. – in 1972. Between 1979 and 1989 he was the director and partner at the Seastar Navigation Co. Ltd. and head of its technical department. From 1990, he has been focused exclusively on researching maritime history and documenting the evolution of the Greek merchant marine since its transition from sai...

In the third episode of the Podcast we have the pleasure to host Costis J. Frangoulis, the Founder and CEO of Franman. For thirty-one years now, Franman has connected Greek shipping companies with a number of the world’s leading suppliers of equipment and services to the maritime industry. During these three decades the company has equipped approximately 4.500 newbuildings. Today, Franman is considered a leading Trading House internationally. Costis J. Frangoulis among other, is also the Pres...

In the second episode of the Podcast we have the pleasure to host Harry Vafias, who at the age of 27, led StealthGas at the stock market and thus, becoming the youngest CEO of any shipping company, listed in any stock market worldwide. In today’s podcast we’ll be discussing about the starting point of the Stealth Maritime, the working opportunities that the shipping industry has to offer, as well as the risks that Greek ship owners undertake. What are the issues concerning the future of ship...

On the first edition of this engrossing podcast on Greek Shipping, we are proud to invite Mr. Manolis Vordonis, a leading executive for many decades on the Greek and global shipping industry. Today’s podcast will be offering a great introduction to the roots of Greek Shipping, the core values that constructed this “Greek Empire” and a few personal experiences from Mr. Vordonis 40 year career as the Executive Director of Thenamaris shipping company. His involvement in discussions of the wider ...