Ioannis Arabatzis, Managing Director, NanoPhos Maritime SA

Dr Ioannis Arabatzis has dedicated his professional track inventing clever materials that solve every day problems. After winning the 1st prize in the European Business Plan Competition held in Stockholm in 2005, he is the founder, managing director and legal representative of NanoPhos SA, a company that develops nanotechnology driven formulations for satisfying the needs of the marine industry.

Dr Arabatzis has organized the R&D department of NanoPhos SA, as the primary think/experimentation tank for New Product Development. Apart from his research experience, he is interested in quality and process management, green legislation issues (especially in the field of nanotechnology), economic impact of nanotechnology and entrepreneurship in nanotechnology.

As a chemist, Dr Arabatzis is interested in developing functional coatings for the marine industry, solving old problems with new ideas. Coatings that respond to external stimuli, self-cleaning/healing technologies, antifouling strategies and friction reducing innovations. He is inventor in 3 patents, author of 1 book and co-author of more than 25 scientific articles, with more than 1000 cited references.

Stamatis Bourboulis, General Manager, Euronav Shipmanagement (Hellas) Ltd

Stamatis Bourboulis is the General Manager of Euronav Ship Management (Hellas) Ltd since its inception in November 2005.


He graduated from the National Technical University of Athens as a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer in 1981 and he has worked in the chemical industry, ship building and ship repair shipyards in Greece.


From 1990 till 2005 he worked for Ceres Hellenic Shipping Enterprises Ltd as Superintendent Engineer, Ship Manager and Technical Manager dealing with various types of vessels. 


He is a member of Intertanko Safety and Technical Committee (ISTEC), DNV and RINA Greek Technical Committee.


Apostolos Charalampopoulos, MSc, Process Design Engineer, Farad SA

Apostolos Charalampopoulos is a process design engineer who works with Farad. He designs heat exchangers requested by Farad customers and is also responsible for the introduction of new products into the company portfolio. His time in Farad means he has looked into heat exchangers installed onboard from the engine room to the deckhouse, from large crude carriers to fishing vessels.

In addition to the design of process equipment for marine and land use, Apostolos has experience in commissioning for LPG carriers, by leading gas trials prior to ship taking on first cargo. This experience gave valuable insight into practical aspect of ship operation, cargo transfer and class approvals.

Apostolos holds a MSc in Engineering Management from Aston University in the UK and a Diploma in Chemical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens.

George Christopoulos, Marine Operations Director LAROS, Prisma Electronics SA

George Christopoulos Vice Admiral (Engineering) Hellenic Navy (retired), is today acting as senior associate within the engineering framework of Prisma Electronics S.A., focused on ‘Marine Operations with LAROS platform’.

He is honorable Commanding Officer of the Support Command of the Hellenic Navy. He served amongst others as Inspector General of the Hellenic Navy, Technical Director of the Hellenic Fleet, Frigates Projects Director, and Commanding Officer for the commissioning of the new Fast Attack Crafts of the Hellenic Navy at the Elefsis Shipyards.

Instructional and Scientific experience: Professor in the Hellenic Naval Academy in the curriculum of Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture, professorship in Gasdynamics, Internal Combustion Engines, and Marine Gasturbines.

He holds the following qualifications:

Postgraduate studies in International Relations, Strategic Planning, Leadership, Management, from National Defense College, Athens.

Master of Science in Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, USA.

Degree of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineer from Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, USA.

Sabina Dziurman, Director for Greece and Cyprus,
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

Sabina Dziurman started working in Greece in 1979 in the tourism sector - she changed career following an MBA at London Business School.  She spent 12 years as a consultant for the development of viable commercial banking sectors in countries of the former Soviet Union. She focussed on banking and SME credit lines, mainly for EBRD but also for organisations such as DFID and World Bank. 

In 2004, she became a staff member of EBRD, initially joining the Group for Small Business and later the Financial Institutions Group where she successfully led landmark transactions such as the rescue of Latvia’s Parex Bank and the EBRD’s first investment in Cyprus in the Bank of Cyprus.

Sabina was appointed Director for Greece and Cyprus at EBRD in July 2015 and has been based in Athens since September of that year.

Antonios Fringas, COO, SQLearn

Dr Antonios Fringas holds an MSc and PhD in Informatics and has co-founded SQLearn in 2006. Antonis has experience in e-learning related projects in many different settings and in the design and development of web-based applications. Designed award winning application for tablet e-learning. Participated in many EU funded projects as technical advisor. Antonis is dealing (among others) with company management, new products/projects architecture design, new products development. Overlooking e-learning courses development dpt dealing with SCORM (Flash and HTML5) course development using various authoring tools. Overlooking technical dpt focusing on providing open source LMS related solutions. Working on EU funded projects (coordinator and partner) as PM on behalf of SQLearn overlooking progress of deliverables, status reports, performing required research. 

Haris Giantzikis, Technical Manager, Arcadia Shipmanagement Co Ltd

Charalampos (Haris) Giantzikis holds a High National Diploma (HND) in naval architecture, a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in mechanical engineering from City University of New York.

He launched his career in 1979 as assistant superintendent engineer at A. Halcoussis.He worked as superintendent engineer at Tsakos Shipping, Piraeus (1987-1991) and as senior superintendent engineer at Seven Seas Maritime in London (1991-2001). He was fleet manager at Marmaras Navigation (2001-2002) and technical manager at Tsakos Shipping (2002-2005).From 2005 to date he holds the position of technical manager at Arcadia Shipmanagement.

He is member of ABS European Technical Committee, Bureau Veritas Hellenic Marine Technical Committee, DNV GL Greek Technical Committee, Lloyd’s Register Hellenic Technical Committee, Class NK Greek Technical Committee and is a member of the MARTECMA council.

Stavros Hatzigrigoris, Managing Director, Maran Gas Maritime; Chairman, MARTECMA

Stavros Hatzigrigoris is the current Managing Director of Maran Gas Maritime Inc., a position which he has held since 2003. For the years 1992 to 2012 he held the position of Managing Director of Maran Tankers Management Inc. Stavros joined Anangel Shipping Enterprises S.A. in 1981 as a Superintendent Engineer.

He holds a B.Sc. degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from University College London, an M.Sc. degree in Marine Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and has studied Management of Ship Operations in the University of Strathclyde.

He is Chairman of MARTECMA, a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineers and has served as one of the SNAME International Vice Presidents. He is a member of the ABS Technical Committee, the Chairman of the DNV-GL Technical Committee and a member of the Greek Technical Committees of LRS, KR and CCS.

Loizos Isaias, Manager Maritime Service Centre & Advisory, DNV GL

Loizos Isaias started working at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (1985-1989) at Newcastle upon Tyne, England, in connection with a PhD degree, as a member of the Marine Diesel Engines Condition and Performance Monitoring Research Team. Teaching and demonstrating at Newcastle University on a part time basis, during the same period.

After University graduation, worked for Alassia Steamship Co. Ltd (1989-1992) in Piraeus, Greece.

Working for DNV since 1992, and now for DNV GL.

Current main positions/ functions with DNV GL include the following: •Manager of the Maritime Service Centre & Advisory in Region South East Europe, Middle East and Africa with responsibilities including ships plan approval, CAP, R&D, advisory services, Academies, pre-contract services for newbuildings, etc. •Key Account Manager with customers support and business development responsibilities for a large number of customers in Greece. •Project Manager of DNV GL’s initiative to upgrade Greece to the company’s 3rd home market (after Norway and Germany). •Secretary of the Greek Technical Committee. •Coordinator of the cooperation between the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) and DNV GL on technical matters.

Other responsibilities held at different times with DNV and DNV GL included •Coordination of preparation and implementation of the Annual/ Tactical/ Strategy plans for the Region South Europe, East Med., Black Sea & the M. East •Regional Quality & Production Manager for Region South Europe, East Med. & Black Sea, (for a period of about 15 years, parallel function) •Project Manager for the implementation of DNV’s first digital production system for ships in operation on a world-wide basis (1997.12-1999.12 working from Oslo, Norway), etc.

A record of competence for ships in operation surveys is maintained.

Constantine Koronakis, CEO, D. Koronakis SA

Constantine Koronakis was born in 1965 in Athens. He attended the Moraitis School and continued his studies in Business Administration at the Deree College of Greece.

While a student he started working in his family business, D. Koronakis SA, a 100% family owned company, established by his parents Dimitris and Eleni Koronaki, producing synthetic ropes and wire ropes.

Initially, he was involved with the Production sector and for this reason he travelled around Europe, to famous wire rope plants, like the Casar Factory where he was specialised in the production of hi-tech and specialised wire ropes.

A few years later, Constantine Koronakis having an important degree of knowledge and expertise in Engineering and R&D he designed and launched into the Greek and European Market a revolutionary mooring line for the Shipping Industry, the Kapa Ropes. His passion and continuous effort to create new products gave him the title of “Inventor” when he was awarded by the Industrial Property Organization for his invention, the “easy-splice-aid” patent in 2003.

Constantine continued his success path by creating new commercial sectors for his Company which could service the Fishing, Aquaculture, Drilling & Offshore and Yachting Industries worldwide.

He also established a worldwide distribution network by investing in the creation of stock-points in all major ports around the globe (from Singapore to New York, Las Palmas, Houston, Algeciras, Durban, Rotterdam etc) and thus providing a 24/7 service to his customers.

Since 1992 Constantine Koronakis has the title of C.E.O. in D. Koronakis SA.

He is married with Nicoletta Pavlou and has two sons, Dimitris and Pavlos.

Panos Kourkountis, Technical Director, Sea Traders SA

Panos Kourkountis is the Technical Director of Sea Traders SA.

He studied Naval Architecture and Mechanical Engineering in the National Technical University of Athens. Since 1994 he worked as Superintendent, Site manager of new building projects, Technical Manager and Technical Director of Andriaki Shipping Co. Ltd. In January 2018 he joined Procopiou Group of companies as Technical Director of Sea Traders SA

He is a member of Hellenic Technical Chamber (TEE), ABS Europe Technical Committee, Lloyd’s Register Hellenic Technical Committee, DNV Greek Technical Committee, RINA Technical Committee, Marine Technical Managers Association (MAR.TEC.MA), Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers SNAME, Naval Architects Association of Greece, Mechanical Engineers’ Association of Greece, Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology (ELINT)

Dimitris Koutsaftis, Research and Development Manager,
Environmental Protection Engineering SA

Dimitris Koutsaftis is a chemical engineer with an expertise in electrochemical water / wastewater treatment. Having a strong background in electrochemical engineering and having obtained significant hands - on practical experience on working with water / wastewater treatment units, he has undertaken and managed the process design and development of various electrochemical water and wastewater treatment equipment for marine applications.

Work experience

01/2017 – present: Research and Development Manager, Environmental Protection Engineering SA

10/2013 – present: Senior electromechanical engineer, ERMA FIRST ESK Engineering Solutions SA

05/2010 – 10/2013: Head of the wastewater treatment department, Polyeco SA

11/2009-04/2010: Production Department Manager, Logo SA

Panagiotis Mallios, Managing Director, SeaBright

As SeaBright’s managing director, Panagiotis Mallios, is responsible for day-to -day operations as well as leading the company’s long-term strategy. He has more than 10 years of experience in the electrical equipment for the marine applications as well as in the lighting industry. He is also active in the R&D and sales activities of the company.

Since October 2006, he has held various positions at SeaBright. He studied Automation engineer at the Piraeus university of applied sciences and also holds certifications of several institutes for specialized automations and advanced lighting technologies.

Helen Polychronopoulou, President of the BoD, HEMEXPO

Helen Polychronopoulou is currently the Executive Vice President of Environmental Protection Engineering (EPE) SA and the Business Development Manager of ERMA FIRST ESK ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS SA, designing and producing the ERMA FIRST ballast water treatment systems. She is also the co-founder and co-owner of HELENGI ENGINEERING Ltd, with expertise in a range of applications for the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Directors of GLOBAL NAVIGATION SOLUTIONS GREECE.

She has studied chemistry and has more than 20 years of experience in the field of environmental protection, marine equipment, shipping and ship parts industry. She has been the Director of the Research and Development department of EPE SA, where she has developed innovative equipment for the management and treatment of liquid waste and potable water. Then, she moved to the Business Development department where she successfully undertook projects for the expansion of the company in new markets, by introducing new products and services. Currently, she is involved in expanding the new markets being the President of the Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers & Exporters – HEMEXPO.

She is also a member of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), member of the Mediterranean Committee of China Classification Society (CCS) and member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology (HIMT). Helen has recently been honored as the “Greek Pioneer Entrepreneur of the year 2015”, awarded by Ernst & Young. Finally, she has been a member of the Greek IMO Delegation at MEPC and D&E sub-committees, the Vice President of the Association of Environmental Protection Companies in Greece (PASEPPE) and the national representative for the European Business Environment Awards.

Athanasios Potsis, President, Hellenic Association of Space Industry

Dr Athanasios Potsis was born at Mainz – Germany, on 1974. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece. He also holds a Diploma in Electrical & Computer Technology from the University of Patras- Polytechnic School. Graduate of EU European Defense Agency SERA-27 (EU Armament Expert) IHEDN.

Dr. Potsis has worked at German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Institute of Radar Systems, from 1998 to 2001 as a Member of Scientific Staff in the Digital Signal Processing Department and he was involved in the fields of Radar electronics, Radar signal processing and Electronic Warfare Systems. He has worked at AIRBUS from 2001 to 2003 as external technical consultant. He has worked for INTRACOM Defense Electronics from September of 2003 up to September of 2006 as Product Marketing Engineer.

Since September 2006, Dr. Potsis holds the position of Senior Manager- Offsets & Industrial Cooperation, in the Aerospace Ventures Group where he is responsible for the development of new business opportunities for Industrial cooperation through indirect offsets in Global scale. Since 2006 Dr. Potsis is providing consulting services to several Governments all over the world (including: Greece, Finland, Portugal, India, Israel & Indonesia) supporting local Aerospace & Defence Industry to utilize offset market.

Since 2008 he is the President of the Hellenic Industrial Space Association and was participating in the core of the team developed the first industrial space cluster in Greece (called “Si-Cluster”). Since 2013 he is a member of the board of the Si-cluster.Since March 2018 he is a member of the board of the Hellenic Space Agency (HSA).

Since 2006 he gives lectures at the Hellenic Air Force School of war as well as to the Supreme National School of War.  

George N. Pratikakis, Managing Director, NAP Engineering PC

George N. Pratikakis , holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering (University of Sunderland) and Naval Architecture, gaining a BSc in Naval Architecture and an MSc in Ship Production Technology from Strathclyde University. He joined family company “Naval Architecture Progress” (NAP) in 1998 where he was involved in a number of newbuild and conversion projects for Ro-Ro passenger vessels, holding various key positions both as Naval Architect/Mechanical Engineer and as Project Coordinator and Manager.

Now stands as the Managing Director and Partner in NAP ENGINEERING the sole continuator of the family company.

In 2013 he created a new company “HeLeNGi Engineering Ltd” related to Marine  Engineering solutions for Liquefied Natural Gas and he stands as co-partner and General Manager.    

He is currently Technical committee member of the Minister of Shipping,  B.O.D Member of EU Council for Maritime Applied R&D, Member of RINA Hellenic Technical Committee, Technical advisor of the B.O.D. in two shipping companies and B.O.D member in Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology.

Substantial experience has gained through participation in Germanisher Lloyd technical committee, four year incumbency in the Technical Chamber of Greece Board of Representatives and International Advisor for the “EuroVIP” program.

The last 5 years has core participation in many (FP-7 & TEN-T) EU research projects.

Konstantinos Stampedakis, MD & Director of Research, Development & Engineering Dept,
ERMA FIRST ESK Engineering Solutions SA

Konstantinos Stampedakis is a Chemical and Process Engineer, graduate of the University of Surrey. Having completed his post-graduate studies (MSc in Water and Environmental Engineering) and having acquired further academic experiences as a temporary academic assistant at the university, he began his career in the sector of waste and potable water management. Returning to Greece, he joined ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ENGINEERING S.A. as the Director of Research, Development and Engineering Department.

In 2009, Konstantinos co-founded ERMA FIRST S.A. and he is currently holding the position of the Managing Director & Director of Research, Development and Engineering Dpt.

One of his greatest achievements is the development of ERMA FIRST Ballast Water Treatment System and its Type Approval Certification from the USCG. The main aim of the project has been to research and develop methodologies and technologies for preventing the introduction of nonindigenous species through ships’ ballast water. He also works on the R&D and engineering part of the company for the development of new products for the maritime industry.

George Tsavliris, Principal, Tsavliris Salvage Group

Mr George A. Tsavliris was born in London. He graduated from Athens College in 1968 and having acquired professional qualifications in Shipping (F.I.C.S., ACI.Arb), he concluded his graduate and post graduate studies in Shipping Law at University College London in 1973, with an L.L.M. degree.

In 2009 he was qualified as a Mediator at the ADR Group London and in 2014 was certified as a Mediator by the Greek Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights.

He familiarized himself with the shipping and salvage sectors from a very early age by being engaged in the family business. George is a Principal at “Tsavliris Salvage Group” and represents the business on both a commercial and environmental basis internationally. He holds the position of Past Chairman of INTERMEPA (International Marine Environment Protection Association), Chairman of CYMEPA (Cyprus Marine Environmental Protection Association), which received the “Cyprus Maritime Prize 2007”, as well as member of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners and Honorary Chairman of the Tsavliris Cultural Foundation. Furthermore, Mr George Tsavliris was awarded the 2016 Capital Link Greek Shipping Leadership Award, in recognition of his unique and extensive contribution to Shipping and Greece and for his overall outstanding service to the shipping industry made by him individually, as a family and by his company as a Group.

George is a frequent keynote speaker and panelist at numerous maritime related conferences. He is an avid supporter of various charities, an art and music enthusiast and has completed ten London marathons. He is a father of six children.

Kostas Vlachos, Chief Operating Officer, Consolidated Marine Management Inc

Kostas Vlachos is Mechanical / Electrical Engineer graduated from Technical University of Athens.

He had been working for 15 years as a representative member for the Hellenic Flag Administration in IMO and EU in Safety and Environmental committees.

He is currently the COO of Latsco Shipping Ltd and the Managing Director of the subsidiary company the Consolidated Marine Management Inc. having full control and responsibilities on technical and operational matters of the vessels belonging to the corporate company (LPG carriers and oil tankers currently 23 in total).

He is a member of ABS, DNV-GL, LRS, National and technical committees.

In 2013 was elected Chairman of Intertanko Hellenic Mediterranean Panel and a Council representative of Greece member.

He is a member of Intertanko Safety, Technical and Environmental Committee (ISTEC) and of Intertanko Gas Committee.

He is a member of the common working group OCIMF-Intertanko, which was established in 2015 with the aim to reviewing and promoting Human Element matters of common interest.

Since 2014 he is a member of the ExCom of Intertanko.

He has been inviting in various fora as a speaker on Safety, Environmental and Technological developments, such as Intertanko, Mare Forum, Newsfront, Capital link, Lloyds Gas Forum, DNV-GL safety forum, Safety4Sea and others.

Member of General Purpose Committee of SIGTO (new – Sep 17).

Panos Zachariadis, Technical Director, Atlantic Bulk Management Ltd

Panos Zachariadis is Technical Director of Atlantic Bulk Carriers Management Ltd since 1997. His 35 year shipping experience spans diverse areas including sea service in bulk carriers and oil tankers, dry dock repairs, new-building supervision, ship operations and chartering. He holds a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering and a MSE degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan. 

He has been attending IMO since 2004 as a member of the Greek delegation. He was extensively involved with IMO’s Goal Based Standards and the Greek study which reversed the IMO decision to make double hull bulk carriers mandatory, while he was instrumental in the development of the new IMO ballast tank coating standard (PSPC). Currently he is involved in the new IMO environmental regulations for ships. Together with major shipyards he has applied numerous energy saving ideas, some of which have become industry standards.

He has written numerous technical guides, papers and articles and has been awarded the 2011 Efkranti Shipping Personality award for promoting Greek Shipping internationally, the 2017 Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association "Shipping Personality" award and the 2017 Lloyd's List "Achievement in Safety or Environmental Protection" award. Member of Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and Union of Greek Shipowners technical committees, BIMCO Marine Committee, ABS European Technical Committee, LR Technical Committee, ASME, SNAME, BOD HELMEPA and MARTECMA.