AMVER Awards Ceremony

Hundreds of Greek shipping companies were recognized for their participation in the AMVER program last year, during the 30th anniversary of the Greek AMVER Awards Gala Dinner, which took place on 16 December at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel.

Held in the presence of Greek government officials, top US diplomats and senior representatives from nearly the entire Greek maritime community, the event was organized by the International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Greece and the United States Coast Guard.

The AMVER System (Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue) monitors ships, identifies possible problems and informs ships in the vicinity to approach and provide assistance. It officially came to life on 15 April 1958 through the efforts of the United States Coast Guard and a number of commercial shipping representatives. Over 7,000 lives have been saved by AMVER-participating ships since 2000 and many of them owe their lives to the selfless and altruistic efforts of seamen and vessels of Greek interests. Over 11,000 international ships participate in AMVER and an average of 6,300 ships are added on the AMVER plot each day. The AMVER Center computer receives over 40,000 AMVER messages a day.

Fittingly, the event opened with renditions of the anthems of the United States and Greece, before the welcoming remarks by our President, Costis Frangoulis.

“Tonight is a very special night, since this year the AMVER awards event completes 30 years in Greece. This is a particularly important anniversary for Greek Shipping”, said Frangoulis, in front of 950 guests who had the opportunity to network and enjoy an entertaining evening full of camaraderie and inspiration.

Frangoulis added: “As every year, tonight we honor our seafaring heroes who, with self-sacrifice and self-denial, hurry to save lives in the seas of the world, defying all danger. We honor the ships and their management companies. We honor all of you who are at the helm of decisions and support this very important US Coast Guard program that began in 1958 in the North Atlantic and has expanded worldwide since 1971. A program that since 2000 has helped save 7,000 lives”.

Representing the Greek government, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, Kostas Katsafados, said: “As you know Greece and Shipping are inextricably linked with each other. This is the reason why Greek Shipping remains firmly as a leading force in World shipping. In particular, it controls 32% of the world’s tanker fleet, 25% of dry bulk carriers and 22% of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) fleet.

“According to the latest European Union (EU), Commission report, Greece continues to increase its share of the fleet controlled by the EU while at the same time the Greek-owned fleet is the largest cross-border carrier in the world with more than 98 percent of cargo transported between third countries. Greek shipowners own 59% of the EU’s tonnage. More than a third of the Greek-owned fleet, or 1,706 ships, are flagged by an EU member state, while they continue to invest in newbuilds.

“I am mentioning numbers, but behind the numbers there are people. And the human potential of our shipping industry is the strong asset of our country. That is why I think that systems like AMVER, which in the last 22 years has helped to save more than 7000 lives, show its usefulness. But they also confirm something else: The dynamics of a word that does not exist in other vocabularies. The word “filotimo”. And the Greek seamen and the companies behind them, whom we honor today, honor “filotimo” by participating with their ships in the efforts to save lives”.

Mary Olson, Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassy in Greece, delivered a speech on behalf of His Excellency George James Tsunis, US Ambassador to Greece and honorary member of the International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus. Mrs Olson reiterated the significance of the AMVER Awards and emphasised the importance of the Hellenic-American relationship.

“AMVER has saved thousands of lives at sea. While it began as a U.S. Coast Guard initiative, the wholehearted embrace from the merchant shipping industry around the world has made the program a global success.

“I want to recognize the entire Greek shipping community for your friendship. And I recognize that your participation in the AMVER program is only one aspect of Greek shipping’s longstanding and deep ties to America.

“Last week, a team from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation visited Greece to continue conversations with American company ONEX regarding U.S. government support for the renovation of the Elefsina Shipyard. A successful investment in the Elefsina Shipyard will be an asset not only to the Greek shipping community, but also for the U.S.-Greece trade and investment relationship”.

A video was projected with all the Greek companies which were honored with this year’s AMVER Awards.

Prior to her welcoming remarks, Rear Admiral Laura M. Dickey, honored our Club for successfully promoting the AMVER Program and organizing the Greek Awards annually for 30 years.

Later, during her address, the Admiral said: “I am impressed with the work you are doing to promote shipping. This year marks the 30th anniversary of AMVER Awards in Greece, and with Greece’s rich history of leading the way in the AMVER program, I can think of no better place than to be here tonight to recognize those vessels that regularly participate in the AMVER system. Greek shipowners own nearly 21% of global tonnage. You not only dominate the world as the number one seafaring country, you also lead the world in readiness to save life at sea and this is a testament to Greece’s steadfast dedication to safety at sea and their fellow mariners.”

At the end of her speech Laura M. Dickey received an award from Danae Bezantakou, General Secretary of our Club, for her contribution to the AMVER System.

Fourteen Propeller Club and Greek shipping industry representatives shared their views and impressions about the Propeller Club during a video reminiscing about the humble beginnings of the award scheme and sharing personal stories about the history of AMVER Awards, ranging from the first AMVER Awards during Posidonia in the early 90’s, the increase of Greek recipients from 45 in 1992 to this year’s record of 247, the initiative’s values of courage, filotimo and humanity, as well as to real rescue stories, such as one about 120 people saved near Libya’s coast by a Greek vessel. The video featured the thoughts of Stefanos Costopoulos, Gregory Timagenis, Costas Constantinou, George Xiradakis, Nicky Papadakis, Markos Foros, Vlassis Katrantzos,Antonis Faraklas, Kostas Rokkos, Marios Kyriakou, Theodore Kontes, Nikos Tsavliris, Dimitri Fafalios, Costis Frangoulis.

The event continued with the awarding ceremony.

Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy Kostas Katsafados, Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassy in Greece Mary Olsοn, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Domna Mihailidou, President of the International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus and Vice President of the International Propeller Club of the United States Costis Frangoulis and 1st Vice President of Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus Christos Timagenis presented the Top Ten Companies Award to: The Angelicoussis Group (114 ships), TMS Group of Companies (97 ships), Technomar Shipping Inc (80 ships), Capital Shipmanagement Corp (75 ships), Tsakos Group of Companies (74 ships), Star Bulk (70 ships), Thenamaris (Ships Management) Inc (62 ships), Danaos Shipping Co Ltd (62 ships), V Ships Greece Ltd (61 ships) and Euronav Ship Management (Hellas) Ltd (50 ships). The first three of them also received the Fidelity Awards, which go to companies with the most vessels on the AMVER system during the past decade. The Angelicoussis Group (1,010 ships) won the Gold Award, Silver went to Tsakos Group of Companies (672 vessels) and Thenamaris (Ships Management) Inc scooped the Bronze in the same category (614 ships). The Fidelity Awards were presented by First Deputy Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard Vice Admiral HCG Ioannis Argyrakis, John Belousis, 2nd Vice President of Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus, Commander, Naval Training Command – Hellenic Navy Dimitris Kataras and Chairman of the Donations and Scholarships Committee, Katerina Stathopoulou.

The Rescue Awards went to: Seamar Management S.A. (for the M/V Bulk Pnagea), V Ships Greece Ltd (two rescue awards, M/V Methoni and M/V York), Eastern Mediterranean Maritime (for the M/V Agioi Fanendes), Polembros Shipping Limited (for M/V Resilient Warrior), Star Bulk (three rescue awards for M/V Star Marianne, M/V Star Pauline, and M/V Star Dorado), Euronav Ship Management (Hellas) Ltd (three rescue awards for the M/V Cap Quebec, M/V Antigone, M/V Cedar), Latsco Shipping Ltd (M/V Fos Athens), Meadway Bulkers Ltd (M/V Integrale), Arcadia Shipmanagement Co Ltd (for the M/V Aegean Dream), Sun Enterprises (for M/V Christina), Navarone S.A. (for the M/V Seapearl), Balthellas Chartering S.A. (M/V St Dimitrios) and Bulkseas Marine Management S.A. (M/V Arcturus). In total, eighteen of their vessels participated in rescue missions during the last 12 months and saved a total of 410 people. The Rescue Awards were presented by Rear Admiral Laura M Dickey, Second Deputy Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard Vice Admiral HCG Alexandros Tselikis, Treasurer of the Propeller Club, Dimitri Vassilacos and George Kallianis, President of the Maritime Committee.

Thomais Apergi and Locomondo provided the musical entertainment in an evening that brought the Greek maritime community together to celebrate its contribution to safety at seas worldwide.

The AMVER Awards 2022 event was held with the support of The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the Union of Greek Shipowners and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping.

Special thanks to our Platinum Supporters, Alba Graduate Business School, Castor Maritime, D.K. Fotinakis, Franman, Ionic, MAN Energy Solutions, M Maritime, Marshall Islands Registry, Tsakos Group of Companies, to our Gold Supporters, American Bureau of Shipping, Aegean Shipping, Allied Shipbroking, Angelicoussis Group of Companies, BCA College, Blue Planet Shipping, Bright Navigation, Capital Shipmanagement, Costamare Shipping, Crossworld Marine, Diaplous Group, DNV, FelixBni, Laskaridis Shipping Company, Latsco Marine Management, Lloyd’s Register, Magna Marine, Marichem Marigases Worldwide Services, Metropolitan College, Minoa Marine, Moore, Navarone, Navigator Shipping Consultants, Navios Maritime, PPG, Rina, Safe Bulkers, Seagate Navigation, Star Bulk, Wingu Suite, to our Silver Supporters, A.M. Nomikos, Alberta Ship management, Bureau Verita, Chartworld Shipping, Dorian LPG, Euronav, Liberian Registry, Marine Support, Marla Dry, Pavimar, Prime Marine, Samos Steamship, Seamar Management, Technomar Shipping, Thenamaris, TMS Group of Companies, YANMAR Group and to our Bronze Supporters, AB Maritime, Alassia, Alma Shipmanagement & Trading S.A, Alpha Gas, Andriaki Shipping, Anosis Maritime, Anthony Giavridis, ARKAS Hellas, Aspida Travel, Bahamas Maritime Authority, Ballas Promotions, Balthellas, Benefit Software, Centrofin Management, Chugoku Marine Paints, Clarksons, Class NK, Controls and Automation Stavros Kassidiaris S.A, Contships, Danelec, Drew Marine, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, ERMA First, Fafalios Shipping, FARAD, Forte Maritime Security, Furuno Hellas, GAC, Gaslog, Genimar, Golden Cargo, Golden Coast Marine, Handy Chart, KEFI S.A, KONKAR, KTE Company Limited, Kyklades Maritime Corporation, LMZ Shipping, Load Line Marine, M.T. Maritime, MacGregor Greece, MAEM, Major & Grove, Marine Tours, MAST Maritime Services, Mylaki Shipping Agency, Naniwa Pump, Nereus Shipping, Oceanfleet Shipping, Optimum Group, Oriani Hellas, Perosea Shipping, Piraeus Port Authority SA, Polembros, Posidonia Events, PYXIS, Seapioneer, Seabright, Sealink, Seanergy, Seascape Marine and Trading, Seaven, Seven Seas Investment Fund, ShipParts, SKF, SuperEco, Survitec, Target Marine, The Swedish Club, Timagenis Law Firm, Tototheo Maritime, Unibros, Union Commercial Incorporated, V.SHIPS Greece, Zepos and Yannopoulos Law Offices.