“Charting the Future: Where Tradition Fuels Growth” was this year’s seafarers’ forum of our Company held from 12 to 14 October in Manila.
The forum provided an opportunity to create a space that bridges our legacy with our future—honoring the traditions, principles, and core values that brought us to where we are today, while presenting how we are navigating into the future.
Two key pillars of our strategic growth were highlighted:
– The Cadetship Programme in partnership with LPU Batangas, which shapes our next generation of seafarers recognizing their vital role in sustaining our Company’s excellence.
– Our newbuilding project of 8 state-of-the-art Kamsarmax vessels currently under construction in China, which are already being delivered.
The event brought together over 160 participants, including seafarers, third-party guests, representatives from Flag State, Makers, P&I Clubs and other business partners. The forum focused on strengthening participants’ knowledge of the Company’s procedures and policies on a wide range of topics, including technical operations, legal compliance, health and safety, security, ICT technologies, cybersecurity challenges in the AI era, and crew welfare.
Capt. Stephanos E. Angelakos attended the forum accompanied by our General Manager Mr. Costas Chrysostomidis, our Technical Manager Mr. Ioannis Makris, our HSSQE Manager Mr. Emmanouel Fragkoulis, our ICT Manager Mr. Dimitris Marinis and our Crew Manager Ms. Eleftheria Bogiatzi. Company’s delegation had the opportunity to meet with our seafarers and share views on various issues in order to further improve our operations and policies and at the same time strengthen our bonds with our people at sea.
Between 13 and 14 October more than 25 workshops were conducted, offering hands-on opportunities for seafarers to enhance practical and soft skills. Topics, amongst others, included safety on board, diesel engines troubleshooting, navigation equipment, safe mooring operations, coating standards and practices, deck and engine maintenance, ballast water treatment operation system, cybersecurity risks, growing fresh vegetables onboard, first aid, etc.
On his closing remark, Capt. Stephanos further underscored the significance of tradition as a compass for our evolution, drawing on the words of José Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines: “He who does not look back to where he came from will never reach his destination.”
We would like to thank all our seafarers, speakers and colleagues from our Athens and Manila offices for making this event such a success. See you next year!
