Nostalgia

I would like to welcome you to this installment of Nostalgia, which was inspired by a single but so important truth: “Shipping runs in our Family”. This could be the title of the piece as it reflects our Company’s mentality to act as one caring family. All members ashore, spending much of our time together in our everyday work have developed strong bonds, similar to those in families. We care for one another, support each other and work for the common good and progress. The same mentality has been passed on to our Seafarers. Our vessels have been manned by family members. Even though I do not come from a shipping family, I was personally touched by our colleagues sharing with us their history and the reasons that inspired them to become part of the shipping business. After reading the piece, I am sure you too will conclude that Shipping runs in the family, after all.

Introduced and Compiled by Chara Markatzinou

Andreas Chandris, Fleet Supervisor, Marine Operations Dept.

My family’s “Shipping story” started in 1915, when John D. Chandris (a great-great uncle of mine) after years of experience in the shipping industry, bought his first ship. By World War I, the Chandris fleet was made up of four ships, including steamships. Around 1960, his two sons, Anthony and Dimitris, had the idea to rebuild the company, named “Chandris Lines”. Their goal was to establish a new passenger shipping company to carry migrants from Europe to Australia.

The Chandris liner service to Australia was closed down in late 1977, when “RHMS Australis” arrived in Australia as the last ship carrying government-sponsored migrants. The competition from the cheaper and faster airline industry was simply too much, and as a result, these ocean going liners were converted into cruise ships. The offspring of this business – now called Celebrity Cruises – is presently part of world leaders Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Shipping has always been part of my family’s life, stories and experiences, leading me to study and decide to work for this important worldwide sector. Along with my uncles, my grandfather and my father, I have always been proud to be part of this family, which was one of the industry leaders in the 20th century. I am really happy and proud that today I have managed to become part of this industry. It is an industry which has been around for more than 4,000 years and is still the prevalent in the worldwide trading of cargoes, products and passengers, connecting people from around the world every day. *Source of history text and photos: Wikipedia

The "m/v Century Millenium"

A promotional poster from the 1960s

Angeliki Oikonomidou, Legal Administrator

Mr. Konstantinos Oikonomides, my father, was born in 1943 on the Greek island of Chios, well known for its long maritime tradition. He started his seafaring career at a very young age, travelling worldwide on board tankers and bulk carriers. In the mid ‘80s he returned to Greece and was employed by liner shipping company NEL LINES as Chief Officer on board F/B SAPPHO for the route Piraeus-ChiosMr. Konstantinos Oikonomides on duty Mitilini. After fulfilling his military service, M/V Elisa he joined the crew of M/V ELISA and M/V CONSTANTINOS under the same rank, trading mostly in Mexico, Central America and the US West Coast. With his family growing up, in 1984 he decided to get back to shore as he was offered a job in the Crew Department of Sea Traders S.A., where he remained until his retirement in June 2006.

I have always enjoyed listening to his maritime stories, the bonding of seamen and the good times on board the vessels, as well as looking at photos of the beautiful ports and places he visited throughout his voyages. As a child, I always dreamed of going on board with him for a voyage while transiting the Panama Canal, and on to experience a full operation; from loading to discharging. It was perhaps that dream that made me follow his steps in the shipping industry and begin my own journey, back in 1996, with our Company. I am currently working as a Legal Administrator and, even though my father is gone, I made my first visit on board a vessel in 2019 and still dream of that voyage transiting the Panama Canal.

Angeliki Oikonomidou with her father, Konstantinos

Yiannis Romanidis, Marine Manager

It has always been him, Captain Nicholas Romanidis, my father. He was born in 1936 into a family with no relation to the sea. He finished high school and succeeded at the University of Economics & Political Sciences. However, the post war financial situation led him to join a ship in 1956 as a deck cadet, to support his family. He climbed up the ranks and obtained his Master’s license in 1968 only through experience, not having attended the marine academy. He also managed to learn fluent English, Spanish and basic French and Italian. He sailed on all sizes and types of vessels including VLCCs in the reputable companies of industry legends such as G. Lemos, A. Onassis and D.K. Ludwich. In 1973, he stepped ashore as a Port Captain at Ludwich’s New York offices, where he engaged himself in operational problems solving until 1975. Thereafter, he supervised newbuilding projects in Japan at Imabari and IHI Yards for a Greek company. In 1980, he started a career as a Marine Consultant & an Independent Surveyor, culminating in the establishment of his own company “Euro Maritime Captain Nicholas Romaninidis Consultants Ltd.” in 1988, handling mostly hull & machinery claims, P&I surveys, cargo claims, salvage operations, court expert advice etc. It has always been him.

Y. Romanidis at Elefsis Shipyards, at the age of 7 I remember him taking me along to surveys to look around. To the eyes of a young boy, seeing huge ships, damage from collisions, burnt vessels etc. was so impressive. I was fascinated. I have a photo at the age of 7 (above) which was taken at Elefsis Shipyards in 1985. The Vessel had suffered damage from a grounding. I think that I knew then what I would like to become. I just had to figure out the way. The years passed by and I always enjoyed my father’s patient conversations explaining to me how the shipping industry works, who is doing what and numerous stories from the cases he had handled. Collisions, wreck removals and cargo transshipments were my favorite ones.

Y. Romanidis at Nantong Yard, China, in 2005 He has handled numerous cases within Greek and International waters and worked along with all the major Greek Owners, Salvors, Underwriters and P&I Clubs in the industry. The archive of cases and photos I have dates back 40+ years. I spent most of my summers working with him at the office until I finished high school. For me, the way to follow in his footsteps was at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, where I graduated with a Master’s degree in Marine Engineering, and then through our Company’s Technical department between 2001-06. I took a similar photo 20 years later at Nantong Yard during the drydock of Sereno 2 in China in 2005 as a Superintendent Engineer. This mission had been accomplished, but there was a long way for me to go. There still is.I took over the family business in 2006 and remained there until 2020, handling numerous cases and claims, and achieving my childhood target. He came to visit me onsite on a grounded Panamax at Andros coast in 2015, where we took our father & son photo. In 2020, I also decided to move on and reunite with our Company again, in the MarOps Dept. It has always been him, my father. I am proud of him for what he has achieved, and I am grateful to him for being and inspiration and showing me the way to do it as well. Thanks Dad!

In my childhood, I already knew I would become a Seaman when I grew up as all of my family was connected with the sea. My grandfather, Captain Konstantyn Andreiev had worked for more than 20 years as a Pilot in the port of Chernomorsk (former Illichivsk), from 1970 to 1993. In 1993 he returned to sea life as a Master of a general cargo/ bulk carrier fleet until 2000, when he completed his seaman’s career and retired. My mother’s father, Viktor Tkachenko, was a Refrigerator Engineer on a big fishing refrigerator vessel from 1964 to 1996. Later on, he worked ashore at refrigerator plant at the fishing port of Chernomorsk (former Illichivsk) until 2003, when he retired. My beloved father, Captain Sergiy Andreiev, also a well-known Master Mariner in our good Company told me a lot of Seaman stories; how he travelled all over the world. He would bring me different souvenirs from the various countries he had visited. Actually, I was inspired by my father to become a seaman and connect my life with the sea. After my graduation in 2002, I had the option to study at Odessa National Maritime Academy or to become an IT specialist. I chose to study at the same Maritime Academy my father had graduated from in 1987. During the 6 years of my education in the Academy, my father always shared his sea experience, his knowledge and practice. He always taught me to be a good and educated person. I will never forget our navigation lessons, where my father taught me on small wooden ship models. My first sea practice was on a pilot boat vessel in the port of Chernomorsk (former Illichivsk), where everybody knew my grandfather, ex-pilot port of Chernomorsk Captain Konstantyn Andreiev. That made me very proud. I am very grateful to my father, Captain Sergiy, because without his support and example, I would not have become a seaman and would not be the person I am now. One of the most valuable moments was in 2019, when I was lucky to hand over command of MV NILOS to my father at anchorage of port Ochakiv, Ukraine. It was a prolonged loading, which enabled us to stay together for two weeks. It was a great time I will never forget. The picture taken from that time is so full of emotions. I am the third generation of Captains in my family and I love my interesting job. I believe I made the right choice to connect my life with the shipping industry.

Captain Oleksandr & Captain Sergiy during handover on board M/V Nilos

TME RAHMAN Md. Ashikur

My Heart belongs to SEA and this is all because of my brother, Chief Engineer Mohammad Mahabubur RAHMAN. He is the person who encourages me. He is my guiding lamp throughout the life journey. I have always looked up to him and decided to choose the Seaman career. I have learnt Seafarers often battle against very harsh climatic conditions while at sea – when they have to endure the elements and yet, continue to remain focused and do their job. My dream is to work hard and learn from my journey to become Chief Engineer. "My soul is full of longing for the secret of the sea, and the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

TME Rahman Md. Ashikur

ASE JOSE Michael Angelo

I am Michael Angelo Jose, 25 years old, an Able Seafarer Engine on board M/V Stefanos. Throughout the years, I was inspired by my mother to take a course in B.S. Marine Engineering. When I finished the course, I contemplated the priorities and what to focus on. My mom, being a single mother, raised me on her own and I wanted to repay her for all her hardships. So, when I entered the maritime industry, I made a promise to myself to give my best at everything and build a harmonious relationship with my colleagues. I admire my mom for having a good heart and staying strong despite the challenges in life. I had my own struggle, especially in the early stages of being away from my mom and the whole family with the new environment. At the same time, I knew I needed to be strong as well to overcome the challenges, fears and become a better person. I will always thank my mom because she raised me to become independent in dealing with life's challenges. She is my inspiration in everything I do. Above all, God is my centre in everything. I am very grateful that I have come this far in the Michael Angelo with his mother, Sharon Jose Company and it’s a pleasure working here. So to the young future seafarer, I highly recommend and encourage to work here with us, DREAM HIGH and ACHIEVE your GOALS in life. Always believe in working hard in silence and letting success be your noise.