16 September 2021
The Greek Shipping Hall of Fame’s 2021 Induction Ceremony & Dinner has been held at Megaron, the Athens Concert Hall’s ‘Atrium of the Muses’ in an event to honour past greats of the Greek shipping industry.
The prestigious event concluded with the announcement of the latest Inductees to the Greek Shipping Hall of Fame – Stathis G. Gourdomichalis (1923-2006) and George A. Pappadakis (1938-1992). They join another 32 historic personalities already in the Greek shipping pantheon.
The Greek Shipping Hall of Fame event supported children’s charity Hellenic Hope with a donation. Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA Hellas, presented this on behalf of the Hall of Fame to Andreas Bouras, Chief Executive Officer of Hellenic Hope.
Impressive shipping industry support for the event was led by ABS, IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry and Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., the three Co-Lead Sponsors of the Induction Ceremony.
According to Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President Global Business Development, the Greek Shipping Hall of Fame was inspiring, a reminder that today’s shipping community is following in the footsteps of previous giants who had overcome their own challenges that were no less formidable than those confronting the present generation.
He said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be part of tonight’s event. The individuals we are celebrating tonight are examples of leadership and embody the pioneering spirit that has defined the shipping industry for centuries. We are doing our best to live up to their legacy.”
Theofilos Xenakoudis, Director, Worldwide Business Operations and Managing Director, Piraeus, Greece for IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry, said: “We are here today to recognise and celebrate individuals who have played an important role in advancing our community – during times of both challenge and opportunity.
“Adaptability has been the key trait for our industry since its inception,” he said.
Wang Qi, Chairman of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. (SWS), addressed the audience through a video message, emphasising that the shipyard is committed to collaborating with its clients, including prominent Greek shipowners, to further develop environmentally-friendly, energy-saving and low-carbon products.
He said: “My colleagues and I are sorry not to be with you in Athens this evening. However, we are delighted to continue to underline our esteem for the forefathers of Greek shipping whose contributions have helped to shape Hellenic and global shipping.”
TMS, one of Greece’s largest shipping groups, graciously continued its support as the event’s welcome drinks sponsor. Navios Group again kindly supported the event by sponsoring the dinner.
The Baltic Exchange, Bureau Veritas, Citi Private Bank, Decisive Capital Management and Moore Greece supported the event as Premium Sponsors.
Further sponsorship support came from China Classification Society, ClassNK, the Ecali Club, Franman, Isle of Man Ship Registry, Kyvernitis Travel Group, Lloyd’s Register, Marichem-Marigases Worldwide Services, Marine Tours and UBS.
Bank Julius Baer enhanced the Greek Shipping Hall of Fame’s 2020 support for Hellenic Hope.
