Over 2,000 Greek vessels receive AMVER awards

Another first for Greek shipping saw 17 Greek-owned shipping companies honoured with Special Rescue Awards after 22 of their ships rescued 505 people who were in danger at sea.

AMVER [Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue] programme has saved thousands of lives at sea. And although it started as a US Coast Guard (USCG) initiative in 197, the whole-hearted embrace from the merchant shipping industry around the world has made the programme a global success.

The Greek awards ceremony held on 14 December as is tradition was hosted by the International Propeller Club of the United States Port of Piraeus, in cooperation with the USCG and the US Embassy in Athens, with the support of the Shipping and Island Policy ministry, the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping (HCS).

US Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt, in a recorded message, praised Greece and Greek shipping for its extraordinary contribution to the sector. “I recognise that your participation in AMVER is just one facet of Greek shipping’s longstanding and deep ties to the United States,” said Pyatt.

The Greek owned companies awarded with Special Rescue Awards in order of award were: Starbulk, Optimum Group, Seastar Maritime Management, Tsakos Group of Companies, Euronav Ship Management, Element Ship Management, Costamare Shipping, Product Shipping and Trading SA, Oceanbulk International SA. Seamar Management, M Maritime Corp., Laskaridis Shipping Co, Capital Ship Management Corp., Central Mare, Chartworld Shipping Corp, Atlas Maritime Ltd, Latsco Marine Management INC.

Also honoured in the Fidelity Awards section in recognition of continuous enrolment in the system over the last decade were three Greek companies, Angelicoussis Group (896 ships), Tsakos Group (599) and Thenamaris (Ships Management) Inc. (546).

A special award was given to nine companies which currently have more than 50 ships in the programme: Angelicoussis Group (113)’ TMS Group (106), Technomar Shipping Inc (81), Tsakos Group (79), Thenamaris (Ships Management) (71), Minerva Marine (56), Starbulk SA (55), Capital Ship Management Corp (50) and Euronav Ship Management (Hellas) Ltd (50).

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