Your Excellency, Mr. Stefanos Gkikas, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy,

Admiral Tryfon Kontizas, Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard

Mrs. Melina Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners,

Mr. George Alexandratos, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping,

Mr. Harry Fafalios, Chairman of the Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee,

Distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, ladies and gentlemen — good evening and welcome.

It is with great pleasure and pride that I welcome you all this evening to our INTERCARGO Gala Dinner, here at the magnificent Four Seasons Astir Palace in Athens.

This evening marks not only the celebration of another productive series of INTERCARGO meetings — our Management, Technical and Executive Committees — but also a special milestone: the 45th Anniversary of our Association.

We are truly delighted to celebrate this occasion in Greece — a nation whose maritime heritage and leadership have profoundly shaped global shipping.

Greek shipowners have long been at the forefront of the dry bulk sector, setting standards of excellence, integrity, and professionalism that have inspired generations across the world.

I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Excellency, the Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, for honoring us with his presence tonight, and to the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners for joining us — both symbols of Greece’s enduring commitment to a strong, competitive, and forward-looking maritime sector.

I would also like to extend our warm thanks to Mrs. Ioanna Procopiou — a distinguished shipowner, member of INTERCARGO, whose family is the new owner of this beautiful venue — for her generous support in facilitating tonight’s gathering.

As we reflect on INTERCARGO’s 45 years of service to our industry, we can take pride in how far we have come.

Since our founding in 1980 by the late Anthony Chandris, what began as a small but determined group of dry bulk shipowners has evolved into a truly global association. With the latest additions soon to be approved by our Board, INTERCARGO now represents more than 380 members across over 35 countries and territories, encompassing more than 4,400 bulk carriers — a total of nearly 420 million DWT — accounting for over 40% of the world’s dry bulk carrier fleet.

Throughout these decades, INTERCARGO has remained steadfast in its mission — to promote safety, quality, efficiency, environmental responsibility, and fair treatment for dry bulk shipping and its seafarers.

These values remain at the heart of everything we do.

In an era of rapid change and mounting challenges — from decarbonisation and digitalisation to shifting trade patterns and regulatory complexity — our unity and our shared purpose as an industry have never been more important.

INTERCARGO continues to work tirelessly at the International Maritime Organization as well as with regional and national bodies to ensure that our members’ voices are heard and respected, that regulations are pragmatic and proportionate, and that the dry bulk sector continues to operate safely, sustainably, and efficiently.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of our Secretariat, ably led by our Secretary General, Dr. Kostas Gkonis, and his excellent team:

Our Technical Manager Ed Wroe, our Operations Manager Joe Zhou, our Regional Representative Manolis Vergetis, our London Office Manager Tonya Dendrinou and the latest additions to the team of Alan Nugent, in the new position of Nautical Affairs Manager and Myrto Tsouma, in the other new position of Communications Officer—

Last but not least, Dimitris Monioudis in the position of Executive Adviser and Chair of the Technical committee.

My heartfelt thanks to each of you.

I also wish to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our Management, Executive, and Technical Committees — and of course, all our member representatives — who give their time, knowledge, and passion to advance the collective good.

As we celebrate our 45th anniversary, we also look to the future. The next chapter for INTERCARGO will be defined by collaboration, innovation, and leadership.

Together, we will continue to strengthen our advocacy, enhance our technical expertise, and uphold the highest standards of safety and environmental stewardship that define the dry bulk sector.

Tonight, however, is a moment to pause and celebrate — to honor our shared achievements, our friendships, and the spirit of cooperation that binds us as a global family of dry bulk professionals.

Thank you all for being here — to our members, our guests, and our friends from Greece and abroad. Your presence makes this evening truly special.

Finally, I would like to extend our special thanks to our sponsors this evening — ClassNK, Fleet Management, VShips and Hellenic Hull for generously supporting the dinner, Navigator for the beautiful flower arrangements, and Charterwell for providing the live music – a great jazz band - that will accompany us tonight.

Please join me in raising a glass to 45 years of INTERCARGO — to the continued success of our members, to the safety and wellbeing of our seafarers, and to a bright, sustainable future for dry bulk shipping.

Before we move on to our main course, we invite you to enjoy a short 3 minutes video celebrating INTERCARGO’s 45-year journey — a tribute to the people and values that have shaped our Association.

Following the main course, we will have the pleasure of unveiling another short video, presented here for the very first time.

This marks the relaunch of our INTERCARGO website and highlights the new features and capabilities it will offer to our members — a step forward in strengthening communication, transparency, and engagement across our global community.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again, and please enjoy the rest of this wonderful evening.