The Annual Vassilopita event of the GSCC (Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee) took place last Thursday at the Hall of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in Staple Inn just off the Committee’s new offices, in one of London’s and indeed UK’s landmark buildings with unique history since Norman Times…
Over 200 guests were there and together with the members of the Committee celebrated the New Year, 2023, a year that looks like everybody will remember forever given what takes place today in all fronts. Add the fact that Actuaries use their mathematical skills to help quantify the probability of, and the risks associated with, future events; it could not be a better place of GSCC’s chairman to deliver his speech!
This is the event which marks the beginning of the year for Greek and international shipping in the Square Mile and beyond…
Anny Zade and John Faraclas were there with their cameras:
Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain officiated – blessings and cutting of the 2023 Vassilopita, assisted by Father Georgios…
Three lucky punters won respective half sovereigns; ABS’ Vassilis Kroustallis, Evan Zaranis of HESGB and Arsenio A. Dominguez, director of IMO’s Marine Environmental Division…
Immediately after the teletourgy and cutting of the Vassilopita, GSCC’s chairman Harry J. Fafalios delivered yet another well-construed speech as he does during all these years of his tenure and as all chairman do in similar circumstances…
Present were the IMO’s Secretary-General Kitak Lim, the United Kingdom’s Minister for Industry and Investment Security Ms Nusrat Ghani – former Minister of Shipping, who delivered a short and warm message enhancing British – Greek shipping relations. The Consul of Greece Christos Goulas was also present.
The new president of UGS (Union of Greek Shipowners) Ms Melina Travlos and the president HSSA (Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association) Haralambos Simantonis attended too…
A strong team from Maritime London was present too headed by its former chairman Lord Mountevans – now Chairman of the Baltic Exchange, and Chief Executive Jos Standerwick with Olga Jaques…
The Baltic’s former Chairman Denis Petropoulos and Mark Jackson CEO were present as well as members of the Baltic Exchange’s Secretariat …what a gathering…
The biggest group once again was that of the HESGB (Hellenic Engineers Society of Great Britain) headed by its president Dimitris N. Monioudis – as always a very strong presence.
Lloyd’s Register made its presence felt with members from its London HQ – headed by Nick Brown, Elina V. Papageorgiou and Patty Apostolopoulou and Greece – headed by Theodosis Stamatellos, being present given their Vassilopita event last Wednesday at Trinity House accompanied by Anthi Miliou, and Nikos Kakalis who is also the special secretary of the Chios Marine Club and Lambros Varnavides from Lloyd’s Register Foundation…
Representing the Maritime Affairs Section at the Greek Embassy in London were Maritime Attaché Captain (HCG) Angeliki Iatropoulou and Deputy Maritime Attaché, also IMO’s Alt. Permanent Representative, Commander (HCG) Panagiota Koutra, and Mrs. Tenia Koronaiou…
Class Societies – ABS with Vassilios Kroustallis with his wife Yiota and Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Davis, BV with Yiannis Calogeras and DNV with Costas Papadakis and Nick Roper, ClassNK’s Dr. M. Abdoul Rahim – back in UK… as always, were present…
Dinos Karousis, vice chairman member of GSCC, Diamantis J. Lemos, treasurer of GSCC, Dimitri, Dragazis, member, Antonis P. Palios, member, John M. Hadjipateras, member, Andreas A. Tsavliris, member, Alexandros C. Kedros, member, Dr. Nickos Nomikos, Alex Xenakis, George Anastasiou, Anastassis J. Fafalios, Dimitris J. Fafalios chairman of Intercargo with secretary-general Dr. Kostas Gkionis, Nicholas Skinitis, Evan Zaranis, Capt. Theodore Lembessis, John P. Hadjipateras, LISCR’s Costas Ladas, Vasso Giadikaroglou- Souvaliotis and her husband Stathis Souvaliotis, Harry Hadjipateras, Nick Contopoulos, and Yiannis Hilas as always present…
Katerina Dimitropoulos, communications manager at the International Chamber of Shipping, Angie Koutoulia from J.Safra Sarasin Bank in Luxemburg and Loukas I. Kontoyannis…
Capt. Alexandros Palatianos, Commodore Rt (HN Seals) from Triaina Maritime Security…
Lawyers too, P&I Clubs with Hugo Wynn Williams, Chairman, Thomas Miller, and Nick Shae, CEO of the International Group of P&I Clubs, as well as media representatives headed by Jonathan I. Saul from Reuters…
Great to see Posidonia founder Themis Vokos on a great day…
All in jovial mood enjoyed the dips and drinks as well as the excellent service in this exceptional venue. It was good and encouraging to see also young people from the international shipping fraternity; mainly Greeks’ offsprings of those attending the event and above all it was good talking to them and see how they respond to today’s perplexed shipping and crucial geopolitical challenges!
Many Congratulations to the Committee’s director Radm (Rt) (HCG) Kostas Amarantidis and his team for organising such an event and as mentioned above in our title: the best ever! Good to meet Chrysi Klavdianou one of the new members of the Committee’s secretariat…
