AMVER Awards Ceremony

AMVER Awards 2024 – Greek Shipping once again takes the lead in supporting global efforts to protect human life at sea.

The 32nd annual AMVER Awards ceremony, traditionally organized by the Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Greece and the U.S. Coast Guard, was held on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024, at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel.

Centered around the theme “All for One, One for All”, the event highlighted the importance of collaboration and solidarity, reaffirming the position of Greek shipping as a global leader in the international effort to save lives at sea.

The AMVER program (Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System), established by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1958, remains a cornerstone of global maritime safety.

Thanks to the participation of 9 Greek shipping companies, 13 rescue operations were carried out successfully last year, resulting in the saving of 297 lives.

This year’s ceremony honored 216 Greek shipping companies and 1,830 vessels for their participation in the AMVER program.

The event was attended by approximately 1,000 distinguished guests, including prominent representatives from the shipping industry, politics, and the armed forces.

Notable attendees included: George James Tsunis, U.S. Ambassador to Greece; Christos Stylianides, Minister of Shipping and Island Policy; Marina Hadjimanolis, Deputy Minister of Shipping of the Republic of Cyprus; Stavros Avgoustides, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Greece; VADM Dimitrios Eleftherios Kataras, Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff; VADM Drossos Reizis, 1st Deputy Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard; VADM Tryfon Kontizas, 2nd Deputy Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard; George Pateras, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping; Captain Mark Imblum, U.S. Defense Attaché; Panos Xenokostas, President of the Association of Hellenic Shipyards; and Alexandros Kostopoulos, Secretary General of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.

The evening began with the national anthems of Greece and the United States, performed by soprano Anastasia Zannis.

Renowned Greek actress Zeta Douka hosted the event, warmly welcoming the audience before inviting Costis Frangoulis, President of the Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus and First Vice President of the International Propeller Club, to take the stage.

In his speech, the President emphasized the significance of the AMVER program, noting that participation represents an act of humanity and solidarity. He also stressed that the true strength and excellence of Greek shipping lies not only in its fleet but -most importantly- in its people.

During the ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Greece and Honorary President of the Propeller Club, George James Tsunis, received the “Alfonse Sasseville President’s Award” – the highest honor bestowed by the Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus, which is named in tribute to the Club’s founder and inaugural President.

Welcoming the Ambassador to the stage, Frangoulis stated:

Tonight, we honor one of our own – our dear friend and Honorary President, Ambassador Tsunis. Through his dedication and leadership, he has elevated Greek-American relations to extraordinary new heights. Yet, beyond his diplomatic success, he is much more: George Tsunis is one of us. With his humility, warmth, and deep love for Greece, he has touched the hearts of all Greeks and his efforts have left a lasting impact on all of us.

A tribute video followed, honoring the Ambassador, accompanied by a heartfelt speech in which he expressed his deep love and emotions for his homeland, Greece. The touching atmosphere culminated in an enthusiastic and extended round of applause from the audience.

The evening continued with an address by the Greek Minister of Shipping, Christos Stylianides, followed by the presentation of the Fidelity Awards to the three top-performing shipping companies in the AMVER program during 2015–2024.

The awards were presented as follows:

– Gold Fidelity Award: Angelicoussis Group of Companies (1,066 vessels)

– Silver Fidelity Award: TMS Group of Companies (690 vessels)

– Bronze Fidelity Award: Thenamaris (Ships Management) Inc. (659 vessels)

On-stage awards were also presented to the ten shipping companies with over 50 vessels participating in the program in 2024:

1- TMS Group of Companies – 110 vessels

2- Angelicoussis Group of Companies – 98 vessels

3- Capital Ship Management Corporation – 86 vessels

4- Technomar Shipping Incorporated – 82 vessels

5- V. Ships Greece – 81 vessels

6- Laskaridis Shipping Company Limited – 69 vessels

7- Tsakos Group – 66 vessels

8- Danaos Shipping Company Limited – 64 vessels

9- Starbulk S.A. – 63 vessels

10- Thenamaris (Ships Management) Inc. – 55 vessels

Other Greek-owned shipping companies participating in the AMVER program were awarded certificates and recognized through video presentations – an innovative approach adopted in recent years to save time – given the significant number of participating companies.

The Special Rescue Awards were presented to the following companies:

– NAVARONE S.A. (Motor Vessel SMEW and Motor Vessel SEAHOPE)

– ALMA SHIPMANAGEMENT & TRADING S.A. (Motor Vessel QUEEN ALESIA)

– STARBULK S.A. (Motor Vessel STRANGE ATTRACTOR, Motor Vessel STAR CHARIS and Motor Vessel STAR OMICRON)

– SEA PIONEER SHIPPING (Motor Vessel INGENUITY)

– CAPITAL SHIP MANAGEMENT CORP. (Motor Vessel AVAX and Motor Vessel HYUNDAI PRIVILEGE)

– ATHEMAR MARITIME S.A. (Motor Vessel FIVOS)

– ENTERPRISES SHIPPING & TRADING S.A. (Motor Vessel WARRIOR)

– BRIGHT NAVIGATION INC. (Motor Vessel REGINA S)

– SEAGATE NAVIGATION LTD. (Motor Vessel GEORGIA S)

During the event, Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Shipping, Marina Hadjimanolis, received the Propeller Maritime Person of the Year Award previously presented to her by the International Propeller Club in Tampa, USA last October and was named an Honorary Member of the Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus.

This year’s Guest of Honor was Rear Admiral Mark J. Fedor, Deputy Commander, Atlantic Area, U.S. Coast Guard, who as this year’s the Master of Ceremony was presented with a commemorative plaque, as well as the membership certificate, and the Club’s pin since he was also named an Honorary Member of the Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus.

The evening was enriched by stunning videos that enhanced the atmosphere of the evening.

The ceremony began with a heartfelt video that beautifully captured this year’s theme, “All for One, One for All,” highlighting the importance of cooperation and solidarity.

This was followed by a video presenting the AMVER program’s history and significance, as well as a touching video dedicated to the rescue operations, along with another one featuring Captains actively participating in the program, sharing their personal rescue experiences.

Additionally, videos were shown in honor of the supporters of the evening, as well as the companies honored for their participation in the AMVER program.

The event featured delightful musical performance by Dim Zach and Eren Alioglu.

The Propeller Club of Piraeus extends its gratitude to the following Donors.

DIAMOND DONOR: Franman. PLATINUM DONORS: Alma Shipmanagement, Athemar, Latsco, M/Maritime, Magna Marine, Marshall Islands, Navigator, Republic of Cyprus – Shipping Deputy Ministry. GOLD DONORS: ABS, Aegean, Angelicoussis Group, Bright Navigation, Clarksons, Costamare, Crossworld, Ionic, Kefi, Marichem Marigases, Navarone, Navios, Navtor, Pavimar, Perosea, PPG, Sea Guardian, Seanergy, Starbulk, TMS Group of Companies, Tsakos. SILVER DONORS: Alassia, Alberta, Anthony Giavridis, Benefit, BRS Shipbrokers, Bureau Veritas, Castor, Chartworld, Delos Navigation, Diaplous, DNV, Dorian, EKA Hellas, Eurobulk, GasLog, Major & Grove, Marine Trust, Ocean Freighters, Roswell, Safe Bulkers, Samos Steamship, Sea Pioneer, Seamar, Sekavin, Thenamaris, UMAR, V. Ships, YANMAR. BRONZE DONORS: AB, Maritime, AM Nomikos, American P&I, Anosis Maritime, Atlantic Bulk, Balthellas, Blue Planet, BMA, Capital, Class NK, Columbia Shipmanagement, Conbulk, Danelec, Drew Marine, Eastern Mediterranean Limited, Element, Equinox, Genimar, GMCG, Golden Cargo, Helix, KME, KONKAR, KTE, Kyklades Maritime Corporation, MAEM, Margetis Maritime, Marine Care, Marine Support, Marla, Minoa Marine, MOTOR OIL, Mylaki, Naniwa, Nereus Shipping, Novelty, Optimum, Piraeus Port Authority, PK Valve, Posidonia Exhibitions, Pyxis, Rina, S Bulkers, Seascape, Seaven, Sioufas, Spring Marine, ST Vettings, Target, Technomar, Tototheo, Tsavliris Salvage, Unibros, Union Commercial, Zygos.