Dimitris Vranopoulos, Managing director

While South Korea and Japan were the dominant players in the global shipbuilding and ship-repair industries in the early 1990s, China has since developed into a leading player and is expected to overtake South Korea as the largest shipbuilding nation by gross tonnage in the near future.

“My first business trip to China took place in 1991,” says Dimitris Vranopoulos, managing director of Marine Plus.

“Our first repair of a Greek vessel in a Chinese yard was conducted a year later and I realised then that China would become a major centre for ship repairs. China has potentially unlimited manpower capacity and competitive labor costs – these two factors play key roles in labor intensive activities such as ship repair.”

Marine Plus is engaged in repairs, conversions and new-building services for the Greek shipping community. The company’s loyal customer base consists of more than 130 companies and today 80 per cent of repairs and conversions are carried out in Chinese ship repair yards.

“Our official role is to represent ship yards in China within the Greek market. We also facilitate information, ideas and technology exchange between our team and our Chinese principals and it has become imperative for partners to find new ways of offering more attractive packages for our Greek clientele,” he says.

Marine Plus repairs around 100 ships annually in China and the company is the main agent for CSSC Chengxi shipyard, Chengxi (Xinrong) Shipyard, Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding Industry and Guangzhou Dockyards in addition to its role as the exclusive agent for Yiu Lian Dockyards in Hong Kong.

“We have become involved in new-building activity in China through our co-operation with several state-owned yards. We will be more active with our partners in China over the next few years,” says Vranopoulos.

Marine Plus recently opened a branch office in Istanbul and strengthened its position in the Far East by establishing a branch office in Singapore last April.

Considered a trailblazer in Sino-Greek relations, Vranopoulos’ is proud of his connections with China.

“The Chinese and Hong Kong shipping fraternity should continue exploring co-operation opportunities at all levels within the Greek shipping industry. At a time when Greece as a nation does not seem to have many friends, at least on the European front, it is comforting to know that we are true friends with the world’s second largest economy and that we understand each other and enjoy doing business together,” he says.

John Coustas, president and CEO

The past 20 years have seen the movement of seaborne goods grow dramatically. Globalisation, increased international trade in finished and semi-finished goods and just-in-time delivery demands continue to drive developments in the international transportation of goods.

As an international provider of seaborne transport services, Danaos Corporation has developed into one of the world’s largest containership charter owners. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Danaos is continuing to stay the course in terms of business development and is building on its international reputation as a leader in global shipping.

Established by Dimitri Coustas, an experienced shipping investor, John Coustas, his son, took over as president and CEO in 1987. Since that time the company’s fleet has grown from three multipurpose vessels to 62 containerships. Today, the company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and John Coustas is confident of the company’s future.

“With Danaos’ large containership fleet, we are now well established in the international shipping industry. Since the 1980s, our direct strategy has focused on our strengths and today we benefit from having a significant competitive advantage. We use the latest design innovations and have developed a reputation for safety and reliability within the industry,” Coustas says.

The company’s hi-tech information systems were developed by Danaos’ affiliate software house; Danaos Management Consultants, a recognised world leader in information technology solutions for shipping applications.

Danaos’ ability to exploit market opportunities during periods of reduced demand and prices has led to profitable growth throughout the shipping cycle. Danaos has continuously chartered vessels to Maersk, CMA-CGM, Yang Ming, Hanjin, ZIM, MSC, SCI and Hyundai Merchant Marine, and to China Shipping Group and TS Lines.

With two new orders to be delivered this month, the fleet is expected to comprise of 65 containerships, placing the company among the world’s top 10 containership charter owners.

Danaos has developed strong ties with China and the region. The company’s recent deliveries of the CMA CGM Melisande and CMA CGM Attila, both built at Shanghai Jiangnan Changxing Heavy Industry have a carrying capacity of 8,530 TEU, are 335 metres long, 42.8 metres wide and each have a speed of 25.8 knots. The latter, post panamax vessel is the largest container ship built in China and symbolises Danaos’ commitment to strengthening its ties with China while continuing to forge ahead within the global shipping industry.

“China continues to play an important role in our company from a shipbuilding, chartering and financing point of view. As China continues to develop as a competitive shipbuilding nation, we would like our co-operation with them to extend to building new designs which are eco-friendly and geared towards Green shipping,” Coustas says.

Panagiotis Christodoulatos, Managing Director

Since 1985, Ikaros Shipping & Brokerage Co (ISBC) has focused on a strategic growth path. Active in the dry bulk segment, its fleet of Japanese built Handysize, Handymax and Supramax are among some of the most modern vessels in the industry. With an eighth new-build scheduled for delivery in September, ISBC is building a reputation for development within the international shipping community.

ISBC’s expertise is founded on high standards of safety and delivery of quality services. Working with leading charterers such as Cargill, Daeyang Shipping, Canpotax and NYK, the company handles commodities such as coal, alumina, fertiliser, grain, sugar, wheat and steel. In recent years, ISBC has successfully developed its business with Chinese charterers.

“As of today, 70 per cent of our chartering business is with Chinese companies,” says Panagiotis Christodoulatos, managing director of ISBC. “We enjoy strong relations with Sinochart and Eastern Ocean with three of our ships chartered with them. They have been very professional with regard to our business relationship.”

ISBC’s Supramax and Handymax vessels are equipped with cranes and grabs which ensure maximum flexibility for “self-handling” of cargos in areas where port facilities are insufficient. “We often have repairs and maintenance work carried out in Chinese dry-docks and have been impressed by our partners’ fast turnaround, quality of workmanship and high standards of service. I’ve been equally pleased by the Chinese made equipment such as grabs that are fitted into our vessels,” Christodoulatos says.

ISBC is well positioned to strengthen its relationship with Chinese charterers.

“China is a barometer for worldwide trade,” Christodoulatos says. “We expect the country to continue to play an important role in the development of our industry. We have always followed a certain path with the people we work alongside in China and with the companies we have dealt with. When it comes to developing our chartering business we intend to build on the relationships we have developed and continue working closely with our Chinese counterparts.”

The large Kamsarmax vessels will be capable of loading cargo at the world’s largest bauxite port, Port Kamsar in Equatorial Guinea. Following the delivery of the two Kamsarmax vessels, the company will have a total aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 398,550 dwt and a weighted average fleet age of eleven and a half years.

“Our plans are to continue with our expansion strategy and fleet renewal program,” says Karamanli. “We understand that all aspects of our industry are shifting towards Asia – from shipbuilding, chartering and even financing. As we move to capitalize on the changes taking place in our industry, we will continue to view China as an integral part of our business,” she says.

In order to fully understand the wealth of opportunities in Asia, there is a recognized need for companies to have a presence in the region. China continues to be a growth driver in the dry bulk sector and successful international businesses understand the significance of developing close relationships within China.

With over four decades of experience in the shipping industry, Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corporation, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dale Ploughman understands the importance of engaging with China: “We wanted a position in Asia and by having an office ‘on the ground’ and close to China, we are able to see what is happening and respond more effectively to our customers’ needs”.

Seanergy’s major charterers include Clipper Bulk, MUR Shipping, South African Marine Corporation and Oldendorff Carriers. “Fifty percent of our vessels are trading into China”, says Ploughman. “We recognize how important it is for companies such as ours to pursue growth opportunities in the Far East”.

Seanergy is committed to expanding its fleet through newly-built vessels, the acquisition of second hand vessels and is focused on developing long term partnerships in China.

“When we first entered the market as a public company, we positioned ourselves as a company focused on growth. We have tripled the size of the company in a comparatively short period of time and we intend to continue implementing our growth strategy. While the market is relatively soft at the moment, we are well positioned to take advantage of the anticipated improved market situation and we look forward to working ever more closely with China in the future”.

As one of the ‘Big Four’ professional services firms, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited play an important role in each of the 150 plus markets in which the firms operate. Deloitte Greece employs a staff of four hundred and fifty professionals with offices in both Athens and Thessaloniki.

With Somali pirates potentially earning almost 150 times their country’s national average wage, reports suggest that piracy is an emerging industry in the region in its own right. As ship owners recognize the need to employ security personal and defense products aboard their vessels to protect from piracy and attack, companies are turning towards Aspida Maritime Security, a leading maritime security firm.

“Coming from a maritime nation such as Greece, we have a deep understanding of the shipping industry and its complexities,” says Panos G. Moraitis, Chief Executive Officer of Aspida Maritime Security. “We offer a comprehensive range of cost-effective maritime security services and products designed for all types of vessels, cargo and distances.”

In the majority of cases, pirates abort an attack when a visible security presence is identified. Aspida’s security teams are comprised of highly experienced Greek and British operatives who have skillfully dealt with various incidents aboard Aspida guarded vessels. While Greek shipping companies account for fifty percent of Aspida’s client base, half of the company’s customers are international.

“We have developed a reputation for providing a quality service and we are now considering entering the Chinese market having seen success with our clients in countries such as South Korea,” says Moraitis. “We are looking for local contacts and partners in China to facilitate communication between us and Chinese shipowners. With China’s high trade volumes, security is essential to ensure that crews, vessels and cargo reach their destinations safely. Aspida remains one of the few security companies in the world built from the ground up to serve the maritime industry. We intend to continue to successfully protect our international clients, their crew and their maritime investments.”