Melina Travlos re-elected as Greek shipowners’ leader
First female president of world’s leading national shipowners’ body wins second, three-year term
The Greek flag needs to be made more attractive, says Travlos
MELINA Travlos has won a second three-year term as president of the Union of Greek Shipowners.
The owner of Neptune Group, comprising the Neptune Lines vehicle carrier fleet, as well as logistics activities and dry bulk carriers, Travlos became the first woman to lead the century-old UGS when she was elected in 2022.
She is understood to have been re-elected to the governing board of the world’s largest national shipowning body with the largest number of votes of any candidate.
Next most votes were garnered by Nicholas Veniamis of dry bulk owner Golden Union Shipping, Thenamaris chief executive Nikolas Martinos, George Youroukos of Technomar Shipping and Global Ship Lease Incorporated, and Angeliki Frangou of Navios Maritime Holdings, who made a return to the board.
Other big names who placed prominently in voting for the new 30-person governing body included Evangelos Marinakis, George Economou, Michael Chandris, Ioanna Prokopiou, Kostis Konstantacopoulos, John Coustas and Maria Angelicoussis.
“Our shipping industry remains the leader,” Travlos told the UGS’ annual general assembly in Athens.
The UGS’ latest study showed Greece controlling 20% of the world fleet despite representing only 0.1% of the world’s population.
She maintained that this was achieved “against unequal and powerful competition, which stretches from east to west in various forms, and from state-owned shipping companies to large multinational business conglomerates”.
Travlos identified competitiveness and decarbonisation as the two main issues driving the UGS’ agenda on the international front.
She also emphasised two domestic policy goals, the national ship register and maritime education in Greece.
“The Greek flag needs to regain its attractiveness,” she told members.
“A step in the right direction is required, mainly by the state, but also by us, to support our flag, which is our negotiating advantage internationally.
“At the same time, on the issue of attracting young people to the maritime profession and upgrading maritime education, we are working with the [shipping] ministry on a proposal for a comprehensive modernisation programme.
“I hope that, in 2025, the first concrete actions will be taken to improve the current system.”
Travlos told UGS members: “I prefer action to reaction. That’s how we work to stay ahead of the curve.”
The UGS aimed to ensure that the Greek state and the public at large “understand that by safeguarding the stability of shipping, they are safeguarding the strength of the country”.
