Greek companies dominate at third ESG Shipping Awards
- Event was held under auspices of shipping ministry and Hellenic Chamber of Shipping
- Organisers said more than 400 guests attended the ceremony
- Leading Greek women shipowners Marily Frangista and Semiramis Paliou recognised with leadership award
At a gala presentation in Athens, local owners and operators comprised half of the total companies recognised for their ESG achievements
GREEK shipping companies dominated at this year’s ESG Shipping Awards International edition that aims to recognise industry leaders in sustainability.
The event was held in Athens under the auspices of the country’s ministry of shipping and island policy and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping.
Prominent Greek shipowning and managing names won gold awards, the top rung of achievement, in seven of the 10 categories in the competition.
They also took half of the total 32 gold, silver and bronze awards presented across those categories on the night.
Gold award-winners included Latsco, Tsakos Group, Contships Management, Star Bulk Carriers, Century Bulk Carriers Management, Seanergy Maritime, and Navios Maritime Partners, all based in Greece, as well as overseas-based operators Pacific Basin, Lemissoler Navigation and Oldendorff Carriers.
Multiple award winners included Aida Cruises, Berge Bulk, Capital Group, the Chandris Group, Contships, OSM Thome and Star Bulk.
In addition, the ESG Motivational Leadership Award was presented to Marily Frangista, managing director of Franco Compania Naviera, and Helmepa chairperson, Semiramis Paliou of Diana Shipping, for “longstanding contribution and inspirational leadership” in the maritime sector.
“Shipping has always been a sector of responsibility, resilience, and respect long before ESG became a global framework,” said Hellenic Chamber of Shipping president George Alexandratos.
“But today, ESG is no longer optional; it is a necessity, a standard, and most importantly, an opportunity to modernise,” he said.
“Let’s ensure it remains practical, balanced and a true catalyst for change.”
A veteran shipowner at the awards presentations, Panagiotis Tsakos, offered his own interpretation of ESG in shipping.
“As a captain of an older generation, I must admit that terms like ESG were not part of our vocabulary,” he said.
“In Greek shipping, for decades, if not centuries, we have lived by three simple principles: do your work to the best of your ability, always honour your word and take care of your people and your community.
“We believe that this is what these awards are truly about,” he added.
The 2025 awards were open to shipping companies internationally. The ESG Shipping Awards were inaugurated in 2023, when their focus was primarily the Greek market but categories were open to a wider spectrum of maritime-related activities.
