A glittering night of awards for success in Greek shipping.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: Athina Martinou, founder of Thenamaris Ships, was selected for the Lloyd's List 'Personality of the Year' award, writes Nigel Lowry

More than 700 guests representing the cream of Greek shipping and its service partners were guests at the 1st Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards Gala Dinner at the Athens Hilton on the evening of November 25 in what was described as 'a fantastic turnout' for the inaugural event held to celebrate and reward excellence in the world's largest national shipping community.

That the independent 10-member judging panel had done its work well was evident from the warmth of the applause given to winners of the various categories, some of whom were greeted with spontaneous cheering.

Among those honoured were leading companies Costamare Shipping in the dry cargo category, Maran Gas Maritime in the tanker sector and Attica Group in passenger shipping. Another shipping firm, Danaos Shipping, scooped an award for technical innovation while anti-pollution body Helmepa, set up on a voluntary basis by Greek shipowners and seafarers in 1982, won the category for achievement in safety or the environment.

Meanwhile, service sector awards resulted in a triumph for 'home based' companies against stiff competition from international service houses. Allied Shipbroking won the shipbroker category and Alpha Bank capped a landmark year for the bank the largest sponsor of the Athens Olympics by winning the shipping financier category.

In a highlight of the event, Greek Olympic icon Nikolaos Kaklamanakis a gold and silver medal-winning Olympian in the 'Mistral' sailing class who was chosen to light the flame inaugurating the Athens Games this summer was given a rapturous reception in the Hilton's Terpsichore Ballroom. A surprise guest, Mr Kaklamanakis was presented with a special award, Lloyd's List's 'Man of the Sea' trophy, by Nicos Efthymiou, president of the Union of Greek Shipowners.