The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. According to Lloyd's List, in 2015, Greece was the first ship owner country in the world in terms of tonnage with a total DWT of 334,649,089 tons and 5,226 Greek owned vessels. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Today it is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.
Video Greek Merchant Marine
History
Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and has been a key element of Greek economic activity since ancient times. The Greeks continued to be involved and play a major role in shipping during the Byzantine period as well as during the Ottoman period, and Greek ships could be found especially in the ports of the eastern Mediterranean.
In 1860s and after the War of Independence, the financial crisis saw some of these businesses collapse Nonetheless, the tradition of endowment continued, and it was shipping that funded institutions such as the National Library of Greece.
During the Second World War the Greek shipping companies were seen operating in the Allied areas and placing their fleets under control of the British Merchant Marine.
After the end of World War II the Greek-run fleets were able to re-establish themselves under their national flag. The changing dynamics saw them more closely aligned to their own national state, and the establishment of the Greek Merchant Marine service.
Maps Greek Merchant Marine
Development in Asia
Greek firms have managed to capture the expansion of Asia, particularly China. It is mostly the dry bulk shipping firms that have benefited from the development, since iron ore and coal are the two major resources that are required for a country's infrastructure to be taken to the next level.
Since 2000, China has provided lucrative contracts both on the spot, and time charter market for dry bulk shipowners. As a result, many new shipping tycoons were created.
Hellenic Merchant Marine Rank Insignia of Bridge or Deck - Officers
Hellenic Merchant Marine Rank Insignia of Engineer Officers
Engineer Officers use exactly the same Rank Insignia as Bridge officers. The only difference is that "in between" the golden stripes, the color is not black but dark red. In some cases, dark purple has been used, however dark purple refers usually to Electrician Officers. Engineer Officers come from the same Merchant Marine Academies as Bridge Officers. After graduation from the Marine Academy Bridge Officers undergoing a series of rigorous training in order to spesialize for specific types of ships that they are about to serve on board (LNGC, LPG, VLCC, Dry Cargo, Suezmaxes, Ro/Pax, ULCC etc.) and to meet the stringest requirements of International Conventions (SOLAS, STCW, MARPOL etc.) and Companies Managing Systems. Some of the training includes (but not limited to) the following: Advanced Oil/Gas/Chemical Tanker Training, ECDIS, ISM, ISPS, Heavy Weather Navigation, Cargo Control Systems and Procedures, Navigation Deck Simulators, Electronic Navigation Systems, Integrated Navigation Systems (INS), Radio Communications, Dynamic Positioning Systems (DP), Passage Planning and Procedures etc. All of the above training takes place in Private Marine Education Centers approved by the Hellenic Government and internationally by the IMO. All other Officers found on board Hellenic Merchant Marine Vessels, come from Universities and other higher education institutes.
Other Officers that serve on board Hellenic Merchant Marine vessels are: Economic Officers, Electricians, Doctors and Radio Officers.
- note that the highest ranks that can be obtained in the Hellenic Merchant Marine are the Captain and the Chief Engineer and both officers come from the Merchant Marine Academy.
No other type of officer can reach these ranks.
Rank exceptions
There are two more ranks that can be found on Hellenic Merchant Marine vessels, namely Staff Captain and Staff Chief Engineer. Both these ranks can be found only on passenger and cruiser-pleasure yachts. These officers assist the Captain and the Chief Engineer in turn while both have acquired the Diploma of Captain and Chief Engineer. However, they have a smaller service record and wait for their turn for the top of the line rank.
Promotions
Hellenic Merchant Marine Officers get their promotions after a 2 years service period from 2nd Officer rank to Chief Officer rank and after 6 months of studies and exams at the KESEN center. KESEN stands for Center of Further Education and Training of Masters and Officers.
To become Captain is 3 years sea service period and 6 months of studies and exams at the KESEN center.
All other Officers are promoted after evaluations from the Ship Owning Company.
Families
Most Greek shipping has been run as a family business, with family members located in key ports or in key positions, and with marriages cementing relationships between commercial dynasties. These close-knit families have allowed financially sensitive information to be kept within the local community, with many transactions kept within trusted family networks. Some historic shipping families include:
- Embeirikos from Andros
- Goulandris from Andros
- Lemos from Oinousses
- Mavroleon family
- Miaoulis from Hydra (island)
- Pateras from Oinousses, Chios
- Pittas family from Chios
- Ralli Brothers from Chios
- Michalinos from Chios
- Rodocanachi from Chios
- Panayis Athanase Vagliano, from Cephalonia, considered the "father" of modern Greek shipping
The twentieth century saw more Greek shipping families established, including:
- Alafouzos from Santorini
- Angelopoulos
- Chandris from Chios
- Carras from Chios
- Eugenidis
- Frangou from Chios
- Kulukundis
- Latsis from Peloponnese
- Livanos from Chios
- Marinakis from Crete
- Niarchos
- Peratikos
- Polemis from Andros
- Houlis from Piraeus
- Onassis from Smyrna
- Soutos from Samos
- Vardinogiannis from Crete
- Vernicos from Sifnos
Contemporary (21st century) shipowners include also:
- John Angelicoussis
- Vassilis C. Constantakopoulos
- George Economou (shipbuilder)
- Minos Kyriakou
- Dimitris Melissanidis
- Pericles Panagopoulos
- Leon Patitsas
- George Prokopiou
- Nikolas Tsakos
Greek shipping companies
Some notable Greek shipping companies include:
- Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc.
- Aegean Speed Lines (ferries)
- Andriaki Shipping
- ANEK Lines (ferries)
- Atlas Maritime
- Attica Group (ferries)
- Capital Product Partners L.P.
- Costamare
- Ceres LNG Services
- Danaos Corporation
- Delta Tankers
- DryShips Inc
- Euroseas Ltd.
- Maran Tankers
- Navios Maritime Holdings
- Nereus Shipping S.A. / CM Lemos
- Ocean Rig
- Overseas Shipholding Group- Stelmar Ltd
- Polembros Maritime
- Superfast Ferries (ferries)
- Tsakos Energy Navigation
See also
- List of ports in Greece
- Aristotle Onassis
- List of Greek companies
- Economy of Greece
- Greek Steamship Company (also Hellenic Steam Navigation Co. and New Greek Steamship Co.)
- Piraeus
- Syros
References
External links
- Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine
- Shipping directory
- Greek Shipping Publications
- History of Greek shipping
- Posidonia-Bi-annual International Shipping Exhibition
- House flags of Greek shipping companies
- George Bitros and Ioanna Minoglou: Entrepreneurship and market order: Some historical evidence [1] Munich University Personal RePEc Archive
- Review of maritime transport 2007
- The marine sector in Greece
- Hellenic Shipping Business Networking
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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