Konstantinos Agas, Training Manager, Dynacom; Dynagas; Sea Traders; Prominence

Konstantinos Agas has served for 30 years in Hellenic Navy as an Engineer officer and retired in 2018 with the rank of Commander. Since 2010 he specializes in Maritime Training – E-learning Instructional Design and Learning Management Systems Administration.

He holds an MSc in Information Technology Management and an MBA from Naval Post Graduate School USA. He joined Prokopiou group (Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd, Dynagas Ltd, Sea Traders S.A., Prominence Maritime S.A., Agency Trust Ltd, Delos Navigation Ltd, Sea Thrust Ltd) in 2018 and he currently holds the position of Training Manager. He is also a certified instructor for National Center for Public Administration and Local Government, a visiting instructor for Naval War School and visiting instructor / e-learning instructional designer for NATO Maritime Interdiction Operation Center (NMIOTC).

He is married to wife Magdalini Boviatsi and father of two daughters Eleftheria and Athanassia.

  Fotis Belexis, Technical Director, Star Bulk Carriers Corp

Fotios Belexis serves as the Technical Director at Star Bulk Carriers Corp., the largest dry bulk shipping company currently listed on the Nasdaq. With 29 years of professional experience, he has held various technical managerial positions within leading shipping firms operating diverse fleets including LNG, LPG, tankers, bulk carriers, and containers. Additionally, he holds the position of Vice President at Martecma & Verifuel Technical Committee and is a member of BV and ABS Technical Committees and CIMAC NMA Hellas. 

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Maritime Engineering from the University of Southampton.

Dimitrios Fafalios, President / Director, Fafalios Shipping S.A.; Chairman, INTERCARGO

Dimitrios Fafalios serves as President/Director of Fafalios Shipping S.A. since 2008.

From 1984 to 2008, Mr Fafalios has held various positions in Fafalios Ltd. London, including Technical manager, Technical Director with responsibilities for vessel Maintenance, Newbuildings, S&P, and Technical support for Chartering, Insurance, Post-Fixture and other departments.

He has worked closely with IMO, IACS, the major classification societies and international shipping organisations to develop rules for the safety of ships and environmental protection of the seas. Much of his work in the last 15 years has centred on the technical and regulatory aspects of greenhouse gas emissions reduction from shipping.

Mr Fafalios has been elected Chairman of Intercargo since January 2019 having been Chairman of its Technical Committee since 2009 and one of the first members of the Technical Committee since 1999.

Mr Fafalios is also Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) since February 2022. In addition, he is the Chairman of the Maritime Safety and Marine Environment Protection Committee of the UGS. He has been a Member of UGS since 2015.

Mr Fafalios holds senior positions on ABS, DNV, HCS, ICS, INTERCARGO, LR, NK and UGS committees. Mr Fafalios has attended IMO on behalf of the Hellenic Republic. Mr Fafalios received his B.Sc in Naval Architecture and Ship Building from Newcastle upon Tyne University in 1980 and M.Sc in Ocean Systems Management from MIT in 1982.

In 2023, he received an honorary PhD from the University of the Aegean, Department of Maritime and Business Management.

Dimitris Fokas, Training Manager, Angelicoussis Shipping Group; Chairman of Human Element Committee, INTERTANKO

Dimitris Fokas is the Training Manager of the Angelicoussis Shipping Group. He graduated as a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer from the National Technical University of Athens in 1983.

He joined the Hellenic Ministry of Mercantile Marine as an officer of the Hellenic Coast Guard in 1984. He served as Port State Control and environment protection officer in Piraeus port authority until 1993, when he was transferred to Merchant Ships Inspection Service until 2001, as head of the PSC department.

In 2001 he was appointed as the technical representative of Greece and councellor to IMO in London for 2 years, where he participated in all IMO meetings. He then joined the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) in Brussels as senior assessor of Classification Societies for a period of 3 years until 2007.

He served as Director of Safety of Navigation in the Hellenic Coast Guard, responsible among others for the Joint Rescue Coordination Center, for 2 years until his retirement in 2009. He then worked as Area Quality Manager of Germanischer Lloyd, responsible for Mediterranean-Middle East areas, until June 2011, when he joined the Angelicoussis Shipping Group as Training Manager.

He is the chairman of INTERTANKO Human Element in Shipping Committee.

Haris Giantzikis, Technical Manager, Arcadia Shipmanagement Co Ltd

Charalampos (Haris) Giantzikis holds a High National Diploma (HND) in naval architecture, a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in mechanical engineering from City University of New York.

He launched his career in 1979 as assistant superintendent engineer at A. Halcoussis.He worked as superintendent engineer at Tsakos Shipping, Piraeus (1987-1991) and as senior superintendent engineer at Seven Seas Maritime in London (1991-2001). He was fleet manager at Marmaras Navigation (2001-2002) and technical manager at Tsakos Shipping (2002-2005). From 2005 to date he holds the position of technical manager at Arcadia Shipmanagement.

He is member of ABS European Technical Committee, Bureau Veritas Hellenic Marine Technical Committee, DNV GL Greek Technical Committee, Lloyd’s Register Hellenic Technical Committee, Class NK Greek Technical Committee and is a member of the MARTECMA council.

Andreas Hadjipetrou, Managing Director, Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd; Chief Commercial Officer, Columbia Group

Andreas Hadjipetrou serves as the Chief Commercial Officer of the Columbia Group and holds the position of Managing Director at Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd. With over 400 vessels under management, in his role as CCO, Andreas is responsible for overseeing the commercial aspects of the group’s operations. This includes managing customer relationships, fostering strategic partnerships, and driving product development. Andreas’ extensive experience and expertise in the ship management industry have been pivotal in advancing the management services provided by the Columbia Group.

He represents the company in various group-level partnerships and holds directorial roles in esteemed industry organizations such as BIMCO, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association (CYMEPA), Cyprus Maritime Academy, and the DNV National Committee.

Andreas holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics from the University College London and an MBA with a specialization in Total Quality Management. His firm commitment to excellence, profound industry knowledge, and dedication to fostering a collaborative team spirit continue to drive Columbia Group's success in the maritime sector.

Stavros Hatzigrigoris, Advanced Engineering Services; Zodiac Maritime

Stavros has recently set up his own consulting Co (Advanced Engineering Services) whilst at the same time works for Zodiac Maritime. He held the position of Managing Director of Maran Tankers Management between 1992 and 2014 and in addition he was the Managing Director of Maran Gas Maritime between 2003 and 2020. During his years with the Maran Group Stavros has been responsible for the contracting , construction and delivery of more than 160 new ships in Korea and China including 45 LNGCs in Hyundai Samho and mainly DSME.

He holds a B.Sc.degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from University College London as well as an M.Sc. in Marine Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens. He has studied Management of Ship Operations in the University of Strathclyde.

He is a member of numerous national and international shipping bodies and committees.

Venetia Kallipolitou, Manager, Cross-Departmental HR & Training, Tsakos Group

Venetia Kallipolitou was born in Piraeus; she has graduated the National Technical University of Athens, Department of Electrical Engineer & Engineer of Computing Systems, and has also obtained a master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Essex.

In 2017 she joined Tsakos Group of Companies, as Deputy Managing Director of Tsakos Columbia Shipmanagement, responsible for Human Element and Training. In 2018 she undertook the responsibility, as coordinator, to establish and operate the Tsakos Enhanced Education Nautical School in Chios island. In 2020 was assigned as Tsakos Group Maritime Training & Education Advisor running TEENS as member of the administrative board and legal representative of Tsakos Maritime Education nonprofit company under which TEENS is operating.

Nowadays she has been assigned as the Tsakos Group Cross-Departmental HR & Training Manager.

She is also member of the Human Element Committee of Intertanko and WISTA.

Previously she has served the Hellenic Coast Guard for over than 21 years dealing mainly with issues of shipping policy for more than 10 years, representing the Hellenic Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy in IMO and other International and EU Fora and Organizations. She served as maritime attaché of Greece to the Council of the EU in Brussels for three years and she was the national coordinator at the Greek EU Presidency in 2014 for Shipping. From 2014 till 2017 she served as Director of the Seafarers’ Training Directorate in the Hellenic Ministry of Shipping. She has retired from HCG with the rank of Commander HCG.

[During her whole career has been awarded the following honours: - COMMANDER’S CROSS OF THE ORDER OF HONOUR - COMMANDER’S CROSS OF THE ORDER OF PHOENIX - MEDAL OF MILITARY MERIT B’ CLASS -MERITORIUS COMMAND MEDAL C’ CLASS -MERITORIUS STAFF OFFICER COMMENDATION MEDAL B’ CLASS.]

Anastasios Kartsimadakis, Group Vetting & Inspections Manager, Tsakos Shipping and Trading S.A.

Anastasios Kartsimadakis was born in Chios. He graduated with distinction from the Merchant Marine Academy of Chios as an Engineer. He commenced his professional career by serving as senior engine officer on oceangoing bulk carriers & diverse tanker vessels for more than seven years. He is certified Engineer Class A and he was awarded an MSc with distinction in Maritime Management by the University of Aegean in the department of Shipping, Trade and Transport.

As of 2011, Anastasios has been serving in the Vetting Department of the Tsakos Group of Companies and he has been entrusted the senior role of Group’s Vetting & Inspections Manager as of 2016.

In 2021 he joined INTERTANKO as Vetting Manager (Secondee), with a key emphasis on the new SIRE 2.0 program and its smooth integration to the industry practice. He contributed on the development of INTERTANKO Seafarers’ Practical Guide for SIRE 2.0 Booklet, published in 2023.

Anastasios has been providing author and research expertise in the development of various publications under the auspices of World Maritime University. He is the co-author of the first book for Ship Inspections for Merchant Marine Academies, which will be published by Eugenides Foundation in October 2024.

John Kokarakis, Technology & Business Development Director SEEBA Zone, Bureau Veritas

Dr Kokarakis a 1979 graduate of National Technical University of Athens, holds PhD (1986) and Masters degrees in Naval Architecture (1983) and Mechanical Engineering (1984) from the University of Michigan.

He worked for over ten years as a consultant undertaking technical problems worldwide. His specialization was in the area of technical investigation of marine accidents. In his capacity as a forensic engineer he participated in the technical investigation of the Exxon Valdez grounding, the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, the drillship Sea-Crest capsize, the Piper Alpha fire and explosion, the Aleutian Enterprise foundering in Alaska as well as many other accidents of less notoriety.

The last twenty years he works in Greece, in the area of classification. He is today the Technical Director of Bureau Veritas in the Hellenic and Black Sea & Zone, responsible for the smooth technical operation in the Zone as well as in the harmonic cooperation with the BV offices worldwide to the benefit of the BV clients.

He is a member of SNAME since 1976 and a Fellow of the Society. He served in various capacities, being currently the Chairman of the Greek Section since 2014.

Panos Kourkountis, Technical Director, Sea Traders SA; Chairman, MARTECMA

Panos Kourkountis is the Technical Director of Sea Traders SA. He studied Naval Architecture and Mechanical Engineering in the National Technical University of Athens. Since 1994 he worked as Superintendent, Site manager of new building projects, Technical Manager and Technical Director of Andriaki Shipping Co Ltd. In January 2018 he joined Procopiou Group of companies as Technical Director of Sea Traders SA.

He is chairman of Marine Technical Managers Association (MARTECMA), and member of Hellenic Technical Chamber (TEE), ABS Europe Technical Committee, Lloyd’s Register Hellenic Technical Committee, DNV Greek Technical Committee, RINA Technical Committee, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers SNAME, Naval Architects Association of Greece, Mechanical Engineers’ Association of Greece, Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology (ELINT).

Takis Koutris, Managing Director, Roxana Shipping SA; ROKS Maritime Inc

Takis Koutris, Naval Architect & Marine and Mechanical Engineer M.Sc, was born in 1957 in Athens. In October 1980 he graduated from National Technical University of Athens, where he studied Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering.

After his graduation he was employed in Alfa Laval (1983-1984) and then in Avin International SA (1984-2000) and Athenian Tankers (2000-2001). Since then he is Managing Director in Roxana Shipping SA & ROKS Maritime Inc.

Natassa Kouvertari, Project Manager, Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, Lloyd’s Register

Natassa Kouvertari is a Project Manager at the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub. She has undertaken a number of positions in the Marine Business and South Europe Projects team at theLloyd’s Register in Greece since she first joined in 2004.

Anastasia holds a BA in International and European Studies from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences followed by an internship at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Directorate for UN and other International Specialized Organisations.

In 2003, she successfully completed her MSc in Environment and Development at London School of Economics.  Not only her academic background but also her professional skills are closely associated with the environmental discipline.

Natassa is an IEMA Associate Member with a genuine interest in projects that foster innovation towards a sustainable future.

Morten Lerø, Managing Director Maritime Advisory, DNV

Morten Lerø is heading DNV’s Global Maritime Advisory unit. We offer advisory services and products towards the maritime industry. Previous experience includes 10 years in management positions and 10 years in various technical positions.

Morten’s managerial experience involves manage managers, people management, project portfolio management and project management. His technical work experience includes evaluation of ship structures, multidisciplinary concept development for maritime and ship projects, concept feasibility studies, review of novel technology, technology qualification, gas carries and gas cargo containment systems and condition assessment of sailing ships.

In addition to his Master of Science education in Marine Structures at NTNU, Morten completed studies and executive training at Norwegian Business School (Master of Management program), at INSEAD and at Haas School of Business (Berkeley).

Angelos Pantouvakis, Dean, School of Maritime and Industry; Director, M.Sc. in Shipping Management, University of Piraeus

Angelos Pantouvakis was born in Athens Greece and studied Civil and Transport Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens, (M. Eng.) He continued his studies at the Nottingham Business School, UK, M.B.A. (Master’s in Business Administration) and he did his Ph.D. at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

He spends more than twenty years in top managerial positions at the professional arena in Greece and abroad in the services sector industries. (Leading consulting firms (Delloitte & Touche, HAY), Banking (ALFA Bank, NATWEST) and Health Care sector, Maritime Sector.

He is at the present Professor and Dean at the School of Maritime and Industry of the University of Piraeus. He has extensive experience on managing and consulting profit, non-for profit and governmental agencies in Service Quality and ISO/ISM issues, Business Process re-engineering, innovative methods of managing people, marketing orientation and optimal sizing etc.



He has published in the field of services marketing in many esteemed outlets and he has been awarded the Best Commented paper award from EMERALD LITERATI (MSQ) at 2010 and 2014, the Best Paper Award from Springer WMU Journal at 2022 whereas two of his articles have been announced as among the most influential work presented in The Learning Organization Journal (2013) and Managing Service Quality Journal (2013). Finally, he has been included in the 2% list of top scientists from Stanford and Elsevier for the fields of Logistics and Transport.

George Skevis, General Manager, CLEOS

Dr George Skevis is the General Manager of CLEOS, a collaboration between three leading Greek shipping companies, GasLog, Drylog and Olympic Shipping, with the purpose to perform Research and Development, and offer advisory services regarding fleet decarbonization.

Dr Skevis is a Mechanical Engineer with 30 years experience in fuel and combustion systems research and development, carbon capture storage and utilization and energy systems modelling and simulation. He has 20+ years experience in managing EU and industrial R&D projects in the fields of transport, energy and the environment, he is the author of numerous scientific papers, technical publications and reviews on fuels and energy and he is the national representative in relevant professional organizations and scientific networks.

Prior to joining CLEOS, George was a Senior Researcher and Research Team Leader in CERTH, the leading R&D centre in Greece and has served in multiple research and academic roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Imperial College London.

Stela Spiraj, Senior Engineer I, Regulatory Affairs, ABS

Stela Spiraj serves as Senior Engineer I in the ABS Regulatory Affairs Department.

The ABS Regulatory Affairs Department is responsible for the ABS interface with Flag Administrations and IACS, facilitating the application of regulations and maintaining ABS and clients’ awareness of regulatory issues being progressed and developed internationally.

Before joining ABS, Stela worked as a marine Environmental Expert for three years at RINA, spent two years at Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement as a Corporate Fleet Performance Engineer, and two years at the tanker arm of Angelicoussis Shipping Group, Maran Tankers Management, as a Technical Support Engineer.

Stela holds a Master of Engineering in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and was a co-founder of the research group Oceanos, which represents NTUA in international competitions dedicated to naval energy efficiency.

Kostas J. Spyrou, Professor, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens

Kostas Spyrou is a NTUA Professor at the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, having served as Dean from 2013 to 2017. A graduate of the same School, younger he spent a few years as a scholar in Japan (Fellow of the Science and Technology Agency of Japan) and in the UK (University College London and University of Strathclyde).

His work on developing state-of-art approaches for ship dynamics, stability and safety has been internationally recognized with the award of SNAME’s 2020 Kenneth S.M. Davidson medal. He held honorary visiting professor positions at the University of Strathclyde (UK) and at Harbin Engineering University (China).

His research is regularly sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (USA). Served as Chairman of the Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology for 8 years and as a Member of Council of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. Contributed to the works of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through the Ship Design and Construction Subcommittee. He is a Fellow of the SNAME and RINA societies.

David Taylor, Head of Curriculum, Lloyd’s Maritime Academy

David began his career as a marine surveyor with Lloyd’s Register, working across the Far East, Europe, and Scandinavia. He co-founded Lloyd’s Register’s Marine Training Services (LR MTS) in London, spearheading learner-focused training and mentoring trainers worldwide.

Later, David served as Deputy Manager of MTS, overseeing 50 courses across 6 centres with 180 trainers globally. He then transitioned to Strategic Learning and Development Manager for Lloyd’s Register Energy, delivering technical training to thousands globally.

In 2017, David earned a PGCE in STEM and taught high school, gaining insights into lifelong learning. He then managed training for the UK rail network before returning to Lloyd’s Maritime Academy in 2021, leading course development and delivery.

Antonis Trakakis, Technical Director, RINA; Chairman, CIMAC Hellas

Antonis Trakakis studied Mechanical Engineering at NTUA and carried graduate studies at von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics in the field of Turbomachinery.

He worked for shipping companies , both in ropax and ocean freighter sectors, and joined RINA in Oct 2020 as Technical Director, Marine.

In his previous employments he engaged extensively with the application of LNG and alternative fuels in deep sea shipping and with issues relevant to operation of ships in sensitive areas like the Baltic sea.

Among his special concerns are the formation and control of emissions, and engine efficiency.

Panos Zachariadis, Technical Director, Atlantic Bulk Carriers

Panos Zachariadis is a Mechanical Engineer (BSc) and Naval Architect and Marine Engineer (MSE) from the University of Michigan with 40+ years experience in shipping. He served for years as Marine Superintendent in New York, after periods of shipbuilding supervision in Japan and sea service in bulk carriers and oil tankers.

He is Technical Director of Atlantic Bulk Carriers in Greece since 1997 and, since 2004, a member of the Greek Delegation to the U.N’s International Maritime Organization, having contributed to the development of several well-known international shipping regulations (e.g. GBS, PSPC, FSA) and the prevention of others (e.g. double hull bulk carriers). In cooperation with major Korean shipyards he has applied numerous energy saving ideas, some of which have become industry standards.

He is a Fellow member of the American Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, member of Technical Committees of several shipping Classification Societies and the Union of Greek Shipowners, Chairman of BIMCO’s Marine Environment Committee and elected in the Board of Directors of HELMEPA, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and MARTECMA.

He has written numerous technical guides, papers and articles and is the recipient of the 2011 Efkranti Shipping Personality award for promoting Greek Shipping internationally, the 2017 Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association "Shipping Personality" award, the 2017 Lloyd's List "Achievement in Safety or Environmental Protection" award, the 2019 Green4Sea "Personality" award and the 2021 Lloyd's List “Technical Achievement” award.