Aegean at Port Elizabeth

Aegean News
T H E
Q U A R T E R L Y
M A G A Z I N E
O F
A E G E A N
WINTER 2015-16
Aegean
Presents
D-Force
Bunkering
Aegean in
Shanghai
Interview
Ioannis
Chiotopoulos
DNV GL
Plus
Flows & Currents
Travel with Aegean
South
Africa
Aegean at Port Elizabeth
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editorial
Meeting challenges.
2016 is bound to be a year of immense challenges.
Today’s global, regional, and local environment presents us with a number of dilemmas that will test our
resolve in a number of areas. Within the European
Union, and on Greece’s shores, an unprecedented migrant crisis continues to test policy makers, who face a
humanitarian problem that extends well beyond our borders.
In addition, global markets are experiencing an era of uncertainty that affects diverse factors and multiple players, all looking for signs of stability and
growth. Greece itself must continue its path of reform to enter an orientation of
sustainable economic recovery.
2016 is also set to be a year of challenge for Aegean as it continues its strategy of smart growth, evolution and business development. Aegean is in the
midst of a bold and forward-looking expansion in two key bunkering markets,
China and South Africa. The company's historic first in supplying offshore
bunkers in the Port Elizabeth area reinforces its well-established practice of
being a pioneer.
And in other areas, including Environmental Services, Shipping, LNG,
Lubricants, and the Retail Market, Aegean is prepared to face the year with a
mixture of cautious optimism and realistic market understanding.
Responding to global markets conditions, regional instability, and local
challenges requires a business model that is determined yet flexible, optimistic
yet pragmatic, and visionary yet feasible.
We are confident that, despite the numerous challenges ahead, Aegean will
proceed throughout 2016 in a manner that reflects its time-honored commitment of providing the best products and services at the best market prices.
Aegean
Core Activities
Retail
AEGEAN OIL has established a gas station
network throughout Greece, and is one of
the fastest growing companies in the retail
market. AEGEAN’S gasoline market share in
Greece is 8%.
Shipping
AEGEAN SHIPPING manages a fleet of tankers, ranging from 28.610 to 50,926 DWT,
that transfers and delivers oil to our clients
throughout the world. All ships meet ISM
standards. The Company’s new GreenFleet
(http://www.greenfleet.gr) incorporates
the latest technologies to ensure reduced
operating costs and reduced emissions,
while increasing overall performance. All
ships are certified by ISM, ISPS and MLC as
well as with ISO 9001, 14001, 18001 and
50001. AEGEAN SHIPPING is additionally
certified with ISO 22301.
Bunkering
AEGEAN MARINE PETROLEUM is a leader in
providing the best bunkering services available in Piraeus, Patras, Gibraltar, Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp, Fujarah, Jamaica,
Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago, Portland-Falmouth, Vancouver, Montreal, Mexico, Tanger
Med (Morocco), Canary Islands, Panama,
Barcelona, Algeciras, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Norfolk, Charleston, Los Angeles, Hamburg, the Gulf of Mexico, and St.
Petersburg. AEGEAN MARINE PETROLEUM is
the market leader in bunkering.
Agency Services
RAYMOND MATERA
Ships from around the world rely on AEGEAN AGENCY services at Piraeus, Gibraltar,
Fujairah, and Jamaica, from loading and
discharging, to spare parts and supplies.
Publisher
Lubricants
AEGEAN OIL produces and markets high
performance lubricants for vehicles and
industrial use, under the AEGEAN brand.
AEGEAN MARINE PETROLEUM trades and
supplies lubricants for the marine market
under the ALFA brand.
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 1
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AEGEAN
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contents
10
Aegean wishes everyone
a Happy New Year
16
Aegean is to begin bunkering operations
in South Africa
4 AEGEAN UPDATE
CODE: 5169
Winter 2015-2016
Aegean News is published
quarterly by AEGEAN
PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR
Raymond Matera
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Alexandra Loli
DESIGN
Snack
PRINTING AND BINDING
Korifi Publications SA
OWNER
Aegean
10 Akti Konydli
185 45, Piraeus, Greece
Tel: +30 210 458 6000
Fax: +30 210 458 6241
E-Mail: [email protected]
Websites: www.aegeanoil.gr,
www.ampni.com
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Please Recycle
7RETAIL
Aegean Presents New D-Force Fuel to Southern
Greece Service Station Owners
8CHRISTMAS WITH AEGEAN
Aegean Celebrates the Holidays
10NEW YEAR’S PITA CUTTING
Aegean Hosts its Annual Vassilopita Celebration
12BUNKERING
22
Ioannis Chiotopoulos, DNV GL Regional
Manager, talks to Aegean News
22
THE AEGEAN INTERVIEW
Ioannis Chiotopoulos, DNV GL Regional Manager,
Regional Office East Med., Black & Caspian Seas
24
STATIONS OF THE MONTH
• Anastasios Asmatoglou, Agia Paraskevi
• Nikolaos Karalis, Volos
26MARITIME TRADITION
The First Online Museum
on the Greek Shipping Miracle
27 TRAVEL WITH ΑEGEAN
Karpenisi
Aegean in Shanghai
14FLOWS AND CURRENTS
Trends in Oil, Shipping, and Energy
16
BUNKERING
South Africa—Aegean at Port Elizabeth
28CHILDREN AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Impressive Underwater Rift
Divides Europe and North America
30AEGEAN COLLECTION
Step Out in Style
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 3
A E G E A N
UPDA T E
The Eisbeinessen dinner
The Eisbeinessen
Dinner
Carl Philipp Lange-Wuehlisch (Bunker Trader Trainee),
Alexandros Kyriazis (Bunker Trader), Boris Gronenberg
(Managing Director Hamburg office), and Anna-Maria
Karakasi (Bunker Trader)
The traditional Eisbeinessen fest has been held annually by the Hamburg Shipbrokers' Association (Vereinigung Hamburger Schiffsmakler und Schiffsagenten e.V.) since 1948.
It takes place every year on the first Friday of November, at the Congress Centrum Hamburg
(CCH), and has become an international meeting platform for shipbrokers, shipping agents,
ship owners, bunker suppliers and traders, forwarding agents, terminal operators, and all who
are directly or indirectly associated with shipping. More than 5.000 people from all over the
world attend the gathering.
The Eisbeinessen this year took place on Friday, November 6, 2015, and the Aegean Team
was represented by the Hamburg office, as well as colleagues from Piraeus headquarters
(Anna-Maria Karakasi and Panos Tsikleas), Antwerp (Alexandros Kyriazis) and St. Petersburg
(Andrew Ananiev).
Aegean also hosted an after dinner party at the Room Club to celebrate the new office in
Hamburg. Colleagues from our newly established HEC setup in Hamburg were also in attendance. The event was successful and we hope to make it an Eisbein tradition.
Aegean at the 35th Argus Fuel Oil
& Feedstock Summit
Aegean was present at the 35th Argus Fuel Oil & Feedstock Summit held at the
Ritz Carlton South Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida, USA on October 25-27,
2015. This annual energy conference traditionally brings together the traders,
the brokers and the suppliers of the fuel industry.
Aegean was pleased to once again host a successful event in advance of the Argus Fuel and Feedstock Summit in Miami this past October. The party, which
took place at the beautiful 1 Hotel on Miami’s South Beach, was widely attended by industry veterans, suppliers, customers and friends and was a success.
Everyone is already looking forward to next year’s party and event. Sal Drago,
Chris Roberts, Manolis Ηoclakis and Mike Reilly represented Aegean.
Britton Hart, Britt Vasquez, and Lina Mannix Eric Evans and Manolis Hochlakis
4 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
Oriana Reyes, Sara Angel Ini, Lina Mannix
and friend
Tournament awards ceremony
Petroleum
Tournament
2015
The latest petroleum tournament
took place on September 28, 2015
between several industry companies
at the Philothei tennis club and the
Milonas stadium in Nea Smirni. Aegean
won in the following categories:
1. V
olleyball, 1st place: P. Ioannidis,
A. Pavlakis, M. Giorgakis, S. Vradis,
L. Aslanoglou, and I. Sideris.
2. Ping Pong, 2nd place: P. Nikokyris
3. Ping Pong, 4th place: Z. Kirmpeis
4. Tennis, Women’s singles (second
chance) 1st place: E. Panagopoulou
Aegean, Avin, BP, Chevron, Coral, Eko,
Greek Petroleum, Greek Fuels Elinoil,
Jetoil, Revoil, Μotor Oil, Shell & MOH,
Silk Oil, and Petrogaz took part in the
tournament.
We thank all our colleagues who participated in the tournament, worthily
representing our company. We congratulate them and wish that Aegean
always comes home a winner!
Top row, from left: Pavlos Ioannidis, Spyros Vradis,
Leonidas Aslanoglou, Ilias Sideris
Bottom row, from left: Georgios Kagialis (coach), Mara
Giogaki, Antonios Pavlakis
Awards ceremony at the University of the Aegean
Voluntary blood drive
Voluntary Blood Drive
On December 4, 2015 a Greek Red Cross blood donation mobile unit came to
the Aegean facilities in Aspropyrgos to enhance the blood bank of the company. As expected, many Aegean employees participated. The colleagues who
donated blood are Athanasios Azaroglou, Christos Vasilopoulos, George Gakis,
Eleni Igoumenou, Dimitrios Kamenidis Konstantinos Cantarellis, Panagiotis
Kolympiris, Ioannis Komninos, Dimitrios Kordalis, Petros Kordalis, Zafiris
Kyrmpeis, Konstantinos Mineos, Kyriakos Bountzikas, Paraskevas Paraskevas,
Antonios Pavlakis, Dionysios Symeoforidis, Angeliki Sotiriadou, Constantine
Floudopoulos, and Panagiotis Chatzidimitriou.
We would like to thank all our colleagues for their participation!
Dimitris Melissanidis and
Peter Georgiopoulos on the Lloyd’s
Shipping Top 100
Lloyd's revealed the top 100 most influential people in the shipping industry for 2015, which
amply demonstrates the supremacy of the Greeks at sea. According to this report fleets controlled by Greek shipowners reach 335 million tons dwt, surpassing Japan, which is in second
place, by 60 million tons, while China, which holds the third place, has almost half the capacity (178 mil. tons) compared to Greece. Among the Greeks included in the Top 100 list are
Aegean founder Dimitris Melissanidis and Peter Georgiopoulos, owner of General Maritime.
Aegean Rewards
Top University
of the Aegean
Students
Aegean Shipping Management SA
showed its continuous support to the
academic work of the Department of
Shipping, Trade and Transport of the
University of the Aegean by participating in the graduation ceremony in
Chios and awarding the University’s
top students with scholarships.
Third year student Petros Christakis
was awarded 1,000 Euro. Aegean
Shipping Management awarded the
top student of the postgraduate
Shipping Transport and Commerce
program for the academic year
2015-2016, Sophia Atsali, with
2,000 Euro. The Purchasing Manager
of the company, Irene Panagopoulos,
presented the students with the
awards. Ms. Panagopoulos is herself a distinguished fellow of the
Department of Shipping of the
University of the Aegean.
Expression of Solidarity
On Christmas Eve Father Dimitrios from the Church of
the Holy Trinity in Nikea collected and delivered food and
clothing to 300 families in need.
Aegean employees, in collaboration with the Human
Resources Department, showed great sensitivity and love
for their fellow man and filled the warehouse of the church
with 40 boxes of food and 30 boxes of clothing.
Ηumanitarian Aid at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Nikea
Congratulations to all for the remarkable effort!
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 5
A E G E A N
UPDA T E
Extension of a Successful Banking
Agreement for Aegean
Following the renewal of a successful cooperation for at least three more years,
the management of Aegean Marine Petroleum got together on October 14,
2015 to celebrate with teams of 10 out of 13 international banks that participate in the USD1 billion global multicurrency syndicated borrowing base
loan. This loan is financing the international activities of purchasing, storing
and distributing bunkers and other products to international shipping companies. The banks that participate in the loan are (in alphabetical order) ABN AMRO, Arab Bank Switzerland, Belfius, BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse, Emirates
NBD, ING, KBC, Mashreq, National Bank οf Greece, Natixis, Rabobank, and
Societe General.
New Employees
The following employees have joined the
Aegean work force.
AEGEAN OIL
Athanasios Papachristopoulos
Dionysis Foteinopoulos
Evaggelos Bardis
Iordanis Tsaloglou
AEGEAN BUNKERING SERVICES
Konstantina Tzanakou
Varvara Dritsa
Efi Filiopoulou
AEGEAN MARINE PETROLEUM
Pepi Sourtzi
Sotiris Delidimitriou
Mairy Skafida
Leonidas Broumas
Chrysostomos Merentitis
HEC
Nikolaos Pantelidakis
S. Gianniotis, S. Fokas, and Roger Dekkers (ABN - AMRO)
S. Gianniotis, Antoine Schaufelberger (BNP Paribas), and
S. Fokas
OIL ONE
Dimitrios Tzitzinis-Tzitzinakis
Aliki Poursanidou
Agathoklis Veskoukis
MELCO PETROLEUM
George Lazaridis
Kostantinos Minaios
Stylianos Mixaliodis
S. Gianniotis, Cecile Tailbot (Natixis), and S. Fokas
Wishes for
2016
6 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
S. Gianniotis, Patrick Arnaud (ING), Mathieu Lancaraeu
(ING), and S. Fokas
AEGEAN SHIPPING MANAGEMENT
Fotios Garitos
Maria Vetta
Christos Tzirtzilakis
Ioannis Gennaris
Aegean wishes to all its friends, business partners, associates,
and clients, in Greece and abroad, a happy, creative, and
successful 2016.
RE TAIL
Aegean Presents
New D-Force Fuel
to Southern Greece Service Station Owners
On December 10, 2015 the presentation of Aegean’s new D-Force diesel fuel took place at
Aegean headquarters.
S
outhern Greece service station owners, in whose stations the new D-Force
fuel is now available, attended the event. Iakovos Melissanidis opened the
presentation with greetings and a few words.
Following Mr. Melissanidis, Anna Papatheocharis, a chemical engineer and
the representative of the company that manufactures the additives for D-Force,
presented the participants with the properties and advantages of the new fuel,
and Antonis Papadakis, Deputy CEO of Aegean Oil, briefed the station owners
on the successive stages of tests and checks prior to final selection and marketing of D-Force within the Aegean service stations network.
After the presentation the guests enjoyed a reception in an extremely pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.
Iakovos Melissanidis
Anna Papatheocharis
The new D-Force diesel fuel, which is
available at selected service stations
of the Aegean network, contains the
most technologically advanced additives that allow D-Force for cars with
a diesel engine to:
• increase the cetane number up to
three units, which means improved
ignition quality, better cold start
and more acceleration
• reduce fuel consumption by up
to 3%
• clean injectors, giving optimum
spraying capabilities and keeping
the entire engine clean
• reduce engine noise
• provide substantial protection
against corrosion and increases
engine life
Presentation of the new D-Force fuel to Southern
Greece service station owners
Iakovos Melissanidis and Vera Melissanidou
Ioannis Komninos and Tasos Kolokithas
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 7
CHRISTMAS WITH AEGEAN
A Christmas Party
for Aegean’s Children
On December 20, 2015, Aegean, once again faithful
to tradition, "opened its arms" and welcomed
the children of its employees, together with their
parents, at the Christmas Party held in the special
events hall on the 8th floor of the company’s
headquarters in Piraeus.
Exciting and interactive games, dancing to the sounds of Christmas
songs, the appearance of Karagiozis (a popular fictional character of
Greek folklore), and a rich buffet with a variety of delicacies and sweets,
kept the interest of young and old unabated. Rudolf, the red-nosed
reindeer, greeted the children at the beginning of the celebration. At the
end the children received presents from Santa Claus and, full of joy and
enthusiasm, promised to meet again at next year’s party.
Best Wishes, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all!
8 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
Traditional Carols
On December 24, 2015 the Pontian Association of Korydallos, Nikea,
sang traditional carols for Aegean on the ground floor of the company
headquarters in Piraeus.
The entire dance group was present, as well as the two little “stars” of the
Pontian Association of Korydallos, Artemis and Yorgos, who performed
the dance of the knives and received a warm applause.
As a special surprise, renowned signer Pela Nikolaidou made an appearance. While Dimitris Ksenitopoulos and Panayiotis Kanonidis played
the lyra, the dance group performed the traditional Pontian tik and kotsari dances, which gave a special touch to the festive atmosphere with
the beautiful spectacle they presented.
Aegean founder Dimitris Melissanidis thanked the club for their kind
performance and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Pontian Association of Korydallos dancers
The Aegean NWE Christmas Party
The annual Christmas party of Aegean North
Western Europe (NWE) took place on December 16, 2015 at the Wijnen Despert, a
venue located very close to the offices of the
company in Antwerp. It was a very cozy and
warm evening where all personnel accompa-
nied by their spouses had the opportunity to
relax and enjoy the excellent food prepared
by Chef Xavier. In his speech General Manager Tony Vertommen thanked the personnel
for their efforts throughout the year and encouraged everybody to continue, with even
more determination, in 2016.
The highlight of the evening was of course
the singing performance of our colleague
Geert Boden, who once again was outstanding. Until next Christmas, Happy New Year
from Antwerp!
From left: Silvia Gutierrez and her husband Wouters, Yves Roblain, and Sarah Van Bossuyt
Patrick Simmons, Ken De Bisschop, and Andreas Athanasiadis
Alec Sansen, Wim Vissers, An and Tom Vercauteren, and Cedric Collard
Ken De Bisschop, Alex Kyriazis
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 9
NEW YEAR’S PITA CUTTING
Aegean’s 2016
Vassilopita Cutting
On January 28, 2016 Aegean hosted its annual New Year’s Vassilopita celebration at Diogenis
Studio nightclub in Athens.
In Greece the cutting and sharing of the Vassilopita, a New Year’s
cake, is the traditonal manner to greet the new year. The event began
with a greeting and speech by Dimitris Melissanidis, who reviewed
the positive results of the previous year, and asked all Aegean personnel to keep up their efforts so that the company may continue its
leading performance in the global oil market.
Mr. Melissanidis cut the Vassilopita and Aegean Agency was the
winner of the coin hidden within. Following a draw, five lucky Aegean
10 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
employees won one gold British pound each, gifts from the Aegean
Shop with a total value of 500 Euro, and 500 Euro worth of fuel.
After the cutting of the Vassilopita, Aegean hosted a dinner for the
1300 employees and guests attending the event, who were entertained till the early morning hours in the festive atmosphere created
by the nightclub’s performers, Antonis Remos, Christos Nikolopoulos, and Fotini Darra.
A Happy and Healthy New Year to All!
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 11
B UNKER I NG
Aegean in Shanghai
Aegean has officially opened a new representative office in Shanghai, dedicated to better
reach customers in China, as it expands its presence in Asia.
A
egean’s latest expansion into
Shanghai aims to better serve
Chinese customers and provide dedicated sales and marketing
of marine petroleum products across
Aegean’s physical network and other
worldwide ports to meet Chinese
shipowners’ requirements.
On October 14, 2015 Aegean host-
ed an opening party at the Puli Hotel
in Shanghai for their customers and
suppliers. Dennis Ho, General Manager of Aegean Bunkering Singapore;
Winny Lye, General Manager, Trading
(Asia); Panos Tsikleas, Manager, Marketing & Bunker Trading Division,
and Phoebe Li, Assistant Manager
(China) represented Aegean and wel-
Bian Zhi Hao, Panos Tsikleas and Dennis Ho (Aegean)
12 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
comed the guests. From the decor to
the food and drinks menu, no effort
was spared so that the guests enjoyed a
professional and fruitful evening. Everyone in attendance had the opportunity to mingle, create new business
relationships, learn about the Aegean
family, and share the latest updates
within the shipping industry.
Chimbusco Shanghai
Bian Zhi Hao, Winny Lye(Aegean), Phoebe Li (Aegean), Dennis
Ho (Aegean), Huang Li and Hu Zhong Bin
Shanghai
The City of Shanghai
上海市
Shanghai is the largest city in the world, with a population of more than 24 million.
Located in the Yangtze River Delta in East China, Shanghai is a global financial center,
and a transport hub with the world's busiest container port. For centuries Shanghai has
been recognized as a major administrative, shipping, and trading town. Shanghai grew in
importance in the 19th century due to European recognition of its favorable port location
and economic potential. The city was one of five opened to foreign trade following
the British victory over China in the First Opium War while the subsequent treaties
of Nanking (1842) and Whampoa (1844) allowed the establishment of the Shanghai
International Settlement and the French Concession. As a result the city then flourished
as a center of commerce between east and west. However, with the Communist Party
takeover of the mainland in 1949, trade was reoriented to focus on socialist countries,
and the city's global influence declined. In the 1990s, the economic reforms introduced
by Deng Xiaoping resulted in an intense re-development of the city, aiding the return of
finance and foreign investment to the city.
Today Shanghai is a "showpiece" of the booming economy of China and a popular tourist
destination renowned for its historical landmarks such as the City God Temple and Yu
Garden as well as major museums including the China Art Museum.
Location: Shanghai Municipality in China
Coordinates: 31°12'N 121°30'E
Country: People's Republic of China
Settled: 5th–7th century
Divisions
County-level: 15 districts, 1 county
Township- level: 210 towns and subdistricts
Government
Type: Municipality
Mayor: Yang Xiong
Area
Municipality: 6,340.5km2 (2,448.1 sq mi)
Water: 697km2 (269 sq mi)
Elevation: 4m (13 ft)
Population (2014)
Municipality: 24,256,800
Rank: 1st in China
Density: 3,800/km2 (9,900/sq mi)
Metro (2010): 34,000,000
Time zone: China standard time (UTC+8)
Postal code: 200000–202100
Area code: 21
GDP (2014)
Total: CNY2.356 trillion
US$383.55 billion (12th)
Per capita: CNY97,555, US$15,880 (3rd)
Growth: Increase 7%
Website: www.shanghai.gov.cn
Chimbusco Tianjin, Sinopec Zhoushan, Chimbusco Beijing
Liu Cheng Ge, Hao Jun, Joey He, Kenny Lv, Gu Jia Qing
Dennis Ho and our partners in Asia
Source: Wikipedia
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 13
FLOWS AND CURRENTS
Athens-Based
Fleet Value
at $86.7 Billion
Fleet ownership analysis traditionally focuses at a regional or national
level. However, many owners are
actually located in and around
a select number of major cities.
Owners in just ten locations control
approximately 42% of the estimated world fleet. Athens, as the
largest one, is at the top of this list.
Shipowners based in Athens control
a combined fleet of 4,538 vessels,
with an estimated cumulative value
of $86.7 billion. Greek owners
based in Athens account for approximately 84% of the estimated value
of the total Greek owned fleet. 71%
of fleet value found in the bulker
and oil tanker sectors.
Source: Clarksons
More
Newbuildings
in 2016
Newbuilding activity has picked up
over the course of the past weeks, in
what appears to be a representative
sample of what we shall be seeing
for the most part of 2016. Many
new orders start to emerge for dry
bulk vessels, while the tanker sector
is still holding considerable interest,
translating into another wave of new
orders. The containership sector is
facing considerable difficulties these
past couple of months and it appears
that orders have subsided.
14 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
New LNG Safety Studies
LNG as a ship fuel holds great potential for shipping because it can increase operational efficiency, while reducing its environmental impact, especially in the inland
navigation sector. The Pro Danube Management and the Port of Rotterdam, in
collaboration with more than 50 companies and stakeholders, initiated the DNV
GL LNG Masterplan safety studies as part of the EU funded project for RhineMain-Danube. The recently published studies focus on the technical, safety and
operational risk aspects of LNG bunkering, as well as LNG loading and unloading.
LNG Masterplan for Rhine-Main-Danube is one of the biggest innovation
projects in the 2012 TEN-T Call with a budget of almost 34 million Euro, co-financed with a funding rate of 50% from the Trans-European Transport Network
Program of the European Union. It aims to create a platform for the cooperation
of authorities and industry stakeholders and to facilitate the creation of a harmonized European regulatory framework for LNG as fuel and cargo in inland
navigation. It also sets out a number of technical concepts for LNG use and
transport in new and retrofitted vessels, as well as a several pilot deployments of
vessels and terminals. The end result is a comprehensive strategy and detailed
roadmap for the implementation of LNG in line with the EU transport, energy
and environmental policy goals and actions.
Source: DNV GL
Alaska's First Ocean-Going
Electric Vessel
The U.S. Coast Guard has approved the
structural design for the nation’s first
ocean-going pure electric vessel. Its name
is Tongass Rain, a 47-passenger catamaran, which will be built in Washington.
Tongass Rain will be a purely electric
vessel with 88 batteries and two industrial
electric marine motors.
“Our goal is to travel 50 nautical miles at
7-8 knots while maintaining 30 percent reserve capacity and we will be able to recharge using
commercial hydroelectricity at dockside in 7-8 hours,” says Bob Varness, president of TREC,
who took part in the design of the vessel.
Increase in Ship
Operating Costs
Increased Transits
Through the Suez Canal
Recent Suez Canal traffic data revealed that 320 ships transited the canal with a total load
of 18.101m tons in the last week of November 2015. Two weeks before, 316 vessels have
transited the canal carrying a total load of 19,088m tons. About 46 ships per day transited
the canal on average in a recent week with an average load of 2.6m tons per day, an increase
of 1.3%. Average per shipload reached 56,567 tons, compared to 60,404 tons during the
same period the previous year.
Source: Daily News Egypt
Boost in LNG Exports
Experts predict that the global
natural gas trade should increase
much more rapidly than pipeline
gas over the next 25 years.
The International Energy Organization (IEA) in their annual
World Energy Outlook 2015
(WEO) report provides a forecast to 2040 about the supply/
demand picture for natural gas,
oil, coal and alternative fuels, including renewables, through 2040. Specifically,
in the United States, IEA is predicting that coal will be supplanted by natural gas
as the largest source of U.S electricity generation in the 2020s, and by the mid2030s, gas should overtake oil as the most utilized fuel in the nation's primary
energy mix.
According to latest reports, the cost of
operating cargo ships is going to rise
over the next two years after falling
in 2015. The average decline in ship
operating costs across the sectors
was 1.0%. Weak freight markets have
forced ship owners to trim costs, while
they have also been able to take advantage of falling commodity prices and
lower insurance costs.
Operating costs are likely to rise in the
future, as the scope for further cost
cutting is in most cases quite limited. The expected increases in 2016
and 2017 are likely to be small, as
inflation in the global economy also
remains low, and relate to the cost of
lubricants and other goods.
Modest increases in manning costs
are to be expected given the uplifts
that have been agreed in International
Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
wage scales. Also, if freight markets
improve, hull values for modern vessels will rise and this should lead to
higher premiums.
Over the past few years of low economic growth, expenditure on repairs and
maintenance has for many owners been
cut back. When markets improve some
“catching up” will take place.
Source: Drewry
Source: www.naturalgasintel.com
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 15
B UNKER I NG
South Africa
Aegean at Port Elizabeth
16 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
Aegean is to begin
offshore bunkering operations
in South Africa.
S
The Port of Port Elizabeth
The Port of Port Elizabeth is a geographically well-positioned, customer-centric,
multi-cargo port that prides itself on flexibility and service excellence. It is the
gateway for expanding markets, and is not only linked with the rest of the world,
but it also has direct transport links into the heart of the African continent.
Situated in Algoa Bay, on the south-eastern coast of Africa. The port has a container terminal, one of only five (Durban, East London, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth
and Cape Town) in South Africa.
Being a congestion free port allows it to maintain high cargo handling rates,
fast and efficient ship turnaround and unparalleled service levels. The port is
equipped to handle dry bulk, bulk liquid, general cargo and container cargo. Passenger ships usually make use of one of the fruit terminal berths when calling at
Port Elizabeth.
outh Africa is ideally positioned
within the East–West shipping
routes as there are few bunker
supply alternatives in this key maritime region.
Traffic and product exports via
South African Ports are growing
rapidly and the Asia/Americas route
is strategically important for global
trade and transport.
Per annum, 12,000 vessels call
South African ports and Aegean anticipates to attract passing ships with
its new operation.
Except for the anchorage Bay of Algoa Bay, no South African ports allow
bunkering
Usually, ships can only get supply
in port at oil jetties and cannot get
supply while in commercial activity,
meaning double port costs as ships
have to shift, added waiting time and
course deviation for some.
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 17
B UNKER I NG
Bunkering at Anchorage
in Algoa Bay by Barge
A Historic First for Aegean—
And South Africa
The natural Bay of Algoa, which includes two ports, Port Elizabeth and
Coega, is the first bay in South Africa
where bunkering vessels at anchorage
is officially accepted and where Aegean operates.
The Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu
Dias was the first European to reach
Algoa Bay by boat in 1488. Today,
five centuries later, Aegean is able to
offer bunker products to ships passing
the South-East coast of South Africa.
The South African Maritime
Safety Authority (SAMSA)
Mission
To promote South Africa's maritime interests and development and position the
country as an international Maritime Centre while ensuring maritime safety,
health and environmental protection.
SAMSA delivers four main outputs consistent with its mandate and responsibilities:
• Safety and environment protection standards for responsible maritime transport operations;
• An infrastructure for monitoring and enforcing compliance with safety and environment protection standards;
• The capability to respond to marine pollution incidents and other maritime
emergencies; and
• The capability to detect, locate and rescue people in maritime distress situations.
http://www.samsa.org.za/
18 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
Algoa Bay anchoring area lays North
East of the Cape of Good Hope. The
Bay is very large, allowing more than
50 ships to be anchored at the same
time, with good ground handling, a
smooth slope to allow miles of anchorage and is well protected.
Up to 30 miles away from shore,
the water depth reaches about 100
meters, providing a superb anchorage
area. Access to the Bay from the high
seas is wide open with almost no deviation (8 to 10 miles) for the passing
ships rounding South Africa.
Algoa Bay’s advantage for Aegean
is catching the passing ships cutting
their time loss, with no deviation, and
eliminating significant port expenses.
Following an application by Aegean, SAMSA (South African Maritime
Safety Authority) gave Aegean an
agreement to deliver bunkers and
perform ship-to-ship transfers (STS)
in Algoa Bay.
Aegean also has obtained Bunkering Licenses from Transnet National
Aegean is the first and the sole bunkering company to
perform ship-to-ship and operation of bunkering delivery
within a South African anchorage
Ports Authority (TNPA) in Port Elizabeth and Coega Ports.
supply ships with RMG 380 and Marine Gasoil.
Aegean Bunkering Marine
Services Pty Ltd.
Value Added—Training Young
South African Cadets
Aegean has established a local private
company, Aegean Bunkering Marine
Services Pty Ltd (ABMS) to serve the
interest of Aegean Marine Petroleum
locally, with a 26% share allocated to a
South African partner. (BEE)
Vessels will be able to get bunker
products by barge at anchorage without berthing in ports, thus reducing
considerably deviation time, waiting
time and usual fees inherent to entrance in port. A full range of services
for ships will also be available providing first class service expected by all
ships when calling a port.
Aegean will offer the possibility to
In addition, SAMSA and ABMS have
agreed to a program leading to cadet
training sponsored by the Government of the Republic of South Africa,
through SAMSA, whose aim is the
attainment, by cadets, of a South African qualification as Officer of the
Watch in full compliance with STCW requirements. For this program
Aegean is to provide experiential
training on board its ships operating
in South Africa, and internationally,
as well as to provide job opportunities
to qualified South African seafarers at
various levels of authority on board
Aegean ships.
Transnet National
Ports Authority
Transnet National Ports Authority
(TNPA) is one of five operating
divisions of Transnet SOC Ltd. TNPA
is responsible for the safe, effective
and efficient economic functioning
of the national port system, which it
manages in a landlord capacity.
Transnet National Ports Authority
provides port infrastructure and
marine services at the eight South
African commercial seaports. TNPA’s
service offering is targeted at mainly
port users (which include terminal
operators, shipping lines, ship
agents, cargo owners and clearing
& forwarding agents). As such,
it manages the eight commercial
seaports along South Africa’s 2
954-km coastline. These ports are
Richards Bay, Durban, East London,
Ngqura, Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay,
Cape Town and Saldanha.
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 19
B UNKER I NG
South Africa—A Land of Diversity
South Africa is a medium-sized country, with a total land area of 1 219 090
square kilometers. It is one- eighth the size of the US, about a third the size of the
European Union, twice the size of France and over three times the size of Germany.
I
t measures some 1,600km from north to south, and roughly the same
from east to west. The country lies between 22º and 35º south, flanked
on the west by the Atlantic Ocean and on the east by the Indian
Ocean, whose waters meet at the country's – and Africa's – most southern
tip, Cape Agulhas.
The coastline stretches 2 798 kilometers from a desert border in the
northwest, down the icy Skeleton Coast to Cape Agulhas, then up along
the green hills and wide beaches on the coast of the Indian Ocean, to a
border with subtropical Mozambique in the northeast.
The low-lying coastal zone is narrow for much of that distance, soon
giving way to a mountainous escarpment that separates it from the high
inland plateau.
A subtropical location moderated by ocean on three sides of the country
and the altitude of the interior plateau, makes South Africa a warm and
sunny country. But it's also dry, with an average annual rainfall of about
450mm, with about 21% of the country receiving less than 200mm a year.
The world average is 860mm. While the Western Cape gets most of its
rainfall in winter, the rest of the country is mostly a summer-rainfall region.
South Africa is a nation of diversity, with 55-million people (2015) and
a variety of cultures, languages and religious beliefs. It is a multilingual
country. The country's democratic Constitution, which came into effect
on 4 February 1997, recognizes 11 official languages, to which it guarantees equal status. Afrikaans and English are the most widely spoken.
20 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
Key Facts
Official name: Republic of South Africa
Form of state: A federal state, comprising
a national government and nine provincial
governments.
Legal system: Based on Roman-Dutch law
and the 1996 Constitution.
Population (Census 2015): 55 million
Currency: One rand (R) = 100 cents
Internet domain: .za
Area: 1 219 090 square kilometers
Capitals
• Pretoria (administrative)
• Cape Town (legislative)
• Bloemfontein (judicial)
Economy
GDP composition by sector (2015):
agriculture 2%, finance 22%, government
17%, trade 15%, manufacturing 13%,
transport and communication 10%, mining
8%, personal services 6%, construction
4%, utilities 4%
Key industries: Mining (world's largest
producer of platinum, chromium), automobile assembly, metal- working, machinery,
textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizers, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair.
Main trading partners (2012) [The Observatory of Economic Complexity]:
• Exports – China 8.3%, US 8.1%, India
7.8%, UK 7.2%, Japan 5.4%, Germany
4.9%, Zimbabwe 2,6%, Netherlands
2.3%, Switzerland 2.1%, Mozambique
1.4%
• Imports – China 13%, Germany 7.4%,
US 6.9%, Saudi Arabia 6.7%, UK 5.5%,
Nigeria 5.3%, India 4.1%, Japan 2.9%,
Italy 2.3%
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 21
THE AEGEAN INTERVIEW
Ioannis Chiotopoulos
DNV GL Regional Manager, Regional Office East Med.,
Black & Caspian Seas
Ioannis Chiotopoulos talks to Aegean News about the services provided and the main activities of DVN GL.
Please tell us about DVN GL in brief.
DNV GL was created from two highly respected companies (DNV and GL), whose parallel histories span more
than 150 years. DNV (Det Norske Veritas) and GL (Germanischer Lloyd) merged and officially launched their
operations as DNV GL on 12th September 2013.
In 2015, DNV GL decided tο make Greece its third
home market by carrying out the following:
• DNV GL Greece will have segment directors for bulk and
tankers based in Piraeus.
• It will reinforce the Piraeus office and establish a service
centre for Direct Access to Technical Experts (DATE)
there, to cover the region – this has started from 1st September.
• Local approval centres will be enhanced in order to do all
fleet in service approvals locally.
• The local Research & Innovation centre will be more
commercialized so that the local market can benefit from
the results of their research and also create an advisory
department to carry out pre-contract services in Piraeus.
• DNVGL Greece will be enhanced with higher decision-making authority.
• DNV GL Greece will have a chief surveyor stationed in
Piraeus, so all grey zone area issues, process problems,
potential quality issues can be solved on the spot.
• Last but not least DNV GL will establish a global network
of Greek speaking surveyors for fleet in service and new
building activity. Greek owners will have access to this
network for surveys on board their ships worldwide.
What services do DVN GL provide in the maritime sector?
150 years of experience in classification has put DNV GL
among the classification leaders in every ship type.
Services we offer include classification of ships, mobile
offshore units, statutory certification, advisory services
22 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
(design optimization, energy management and everything
which is beyond classification) and training courses. We
also provider software for shipping companies.
How are rules and standards evolving for vessels?
In 2015, DNV GL merged the rules from DNV and GL
into a new rule for the classification of ships. In an extensive external hearing process before the rule set was
published and entered into force on 1 January 2016, more
than 800 customers and stakeholders gave their feedback
on the new rules. In all, more than 2,000 detailed comments by yards, manufacturers, owners, academics, flag
states and other maritime stakeholders were submitted.
This extensive consultation process resulted in more than
700 rule modifications – adjustments triggered directly
by industry expertise.
How does DVN GL customize services for its maritime clients?
DNV GL works closely with the industry in joint development projects to develop new concepts, technologies and
services that meet the maritime sector’s needs.
DNV GL also develops new class notations based on
industry/customers demands to close any gaps in international regulations. For example, the DNV GL Gas Bunkering Notation sets standards for gas fuel transfer operations
in ports and addresses safety concerns in this field and covers gas bunker vessels design and additional requirements
to support the development of gas fuelled shipping and
bunker operations in ports.
The myDNVGL portal combines features from GL’s and
DNV’s previous production systems and provides easy
access to features such as ordering surveys and audits or
an overview of certificates and reports. In case customers
have queries or experience an incident during operations,
they can use the DATE service (Direct Access to Technical
Experts) which involves more than 400 experts in five
countries providing answers to customer queries related to
technical issues, rule interpretation or survey requirements
within 24 hours. One DATE center is in Piraeus.
To what extent is technology part of today’s operations and
how important is the human element?
Digital innovation continues to shape the maritime industry, making operations more efficient and increasing vessel
performance.
Smart onboard data collection tools that carry out
plausibility checks against ship specific data help shipping
companies reap significant gains, even on a tight budget.
Currently, many shipowners already monitor engine performance and speed-consumption for different operational patterns. To get to the next level, however, monitoring
schemes need to improve further and include an analysis
of a vessel’s power consumption at all relevant speeds,
drafts and trims.
A tool we have developed, DNV GL’s COSSMOS, helps
customers optimize energy efficiency in design and operation. For example in finding the optimal sequence of steam
valve openings to minimize fuel consumption during cargo
heating in oil tankers. COSSMOS creates a “digital twin” of
a ship, so that for every real object, there is a digital duplicate, modelled to exactly recreate its properties. COSSMOS
also simulates and optimizes complex and integrated ship
machinery systems.
The environment is key in today’s world. What are you doing
to address green issues?
Working with industry partners to develop technologies,
concepts, and standards that reduce shipping’s environmental footprint is a key part of DNV GL’s research and
innovation program. Helping customers prepare for and
evaluate their best options for complying with upcoming
regulations such as the Ballast Water Management Convention (BMC) is another key focus area for DNV GL. As
the convention’s entry into force remains unconfirmed, the
industry also has a long way to go in preparing to achieve
compliance with the BMC. DNV GL is currently testing
or approving 25 different ballast water treatment systems
and is consulting with customers from different shipping
segments on such systems.
How do you view companies such as Aegean in today’s challenging market?
Today shipping is faced with many challenges that owners are
Ioannis Chiotopoulos
COSSMOS creates a “digital twin”
of a ship, so that for every real object,
there is a digital duplicate
called to overcome: new requirements, tighter and regional
environmental regulations, and more stakeholders, are only a
few. These, in combination with the bad market experienced
in many shipping segments, create a volatile environment in
which shipping companies are called to operate.
Aegean, among whose other activities is also shipping,
has a responsible attitude towards their operations by
respecting their assets, people and the environment. Although this way of operation might be more challenging
for a big organization like Aegean, it remains the only
sustainable way of going forward and overcoming today’s
difficult hurdles.
Furthermore Aegean is continuously striving to upgrade
their assets with the newest technologies to make them
future proof and is also looking for innovative solutions
to meet and exceed current and forthcoming regulations.
These are the types of companies that give us pleasure to
work with.
In conclusion we would like to congratulate Aegean for
their achievements so far and we look forward to a continued partnership.
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 23
STATIONS OF THE MONTH
Intimacy, Understanding, Warmth
Anastasios Asmatoglou & Co., Agia Paraskevi
The service station of Mr. Asmatoglou is located on Halandri Avenue in Agia Paraskevi,
just before the intersection with Mesogion Avenue. This is a very central location; this road
connects the municipalities of Agia Paraskevi and Halandri. We spoke to him about his
business and his cooperation with Aegean.
Mr. Asmatoglou's service station
How long have you been a service station owner?
I was born and raised in this profession, as my family has been in the fuel
business for 50 years. My grandfather
opened the first service station in
Palia Kokkinia, Nikea. My father, and
then I, followed in his footsteps.
Tell us about your business. What
kind of services do you provide? How
long have you been collaborating with
Aegean?
In our service station we sell car fuel
and heating oil, and we operate a car
wash on the side. We also perform
oil changes. We participate in the
Eurobank "Epistrofi" program. We
have been with Aegean for five years,
since 2010.
Tell us a bit about your costumers and
your work.
80% of our clientele are loyal customers from the region. 20% are passers-by. Our location is very busy and
convenient for drivers.
How is working with Aegean as your
supplier?
I have been collaborating with Aegean only for a short while, and I have
nothing but the best to say. Aegean
maintains the status of a very large oil
company, although it has been active
in this sector for just a few years. How-
24 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
Agia Paraskevi is a municipality in the district of the Northern Sector of Attica at
the eastern end of the county. With an area of 7.935 sq.km. Agia Paraskevi is a
commercial center and extends to the foot of Mount Imittos. As a suburb it is characterized by its natural beauty and lush vegetation. The settlement, which was originally a summer destination, dates from around 1929.
My 2016 wish is that Aegean keeps moving up
ever, the most positive aspect is that it
has the warmth of a family business.
There is intimacy and understanding
to problems and shortages.
What is your relationship with your customers like? How do they respond to the
Aegean brand?
There are definitely a lot of drivers
who are fans of the Aegean brand and
come to our service station for this
reason. But there’s also plenty of our
customers who are loyal because they
trust me personally.
Would you like to share with us your
wishes for 2016?
I would like to wish to Aegean that
they keep moving up, as they have so
far, and develop further. I also wish
that things will change for the better
in our country for all of us.
An Outward-Looking Philosophy
Nikolaos Karalis, Volos
The service station of Mr. Karalis is located near the port, on Larissis Street, which is the main
road in and out of the city of Volos. We talked with Mr. Karalis about the business he maintains
in this key location.
The service station of Mr Karalis
petition with an outward-oriented
approach, quality, and service. Price
is not the Alpha and the Omega. It
“We take care of your smile!”
makes no sense to focus only on fuel
prices and not quality and service.
We are a company with structure and
organization. Our motto is ”We take
care of your smile!”
Volos is a city in Thessaly, at the foot of Mount Pelion, on the Pagasitikos Gulf, which
nears the site of ancient Iolkos. This is one of the major cities and also one of the
most important ports in Greece.
Please tell us about your business.
In our business we focus on cars and
we sell car fuel -gasoline and D-Force,
the new fuel for diesel engines, and lubricants, as well as a few car accessories.
The area where our station is located is busy because of the proximity
to the port and the city of Volos and
due to the fact that Larissis Street is
a main road. Our station is one of 14
in the area and one of about 100 in
total in the wider region of Volos. We
are the only service station that sells
Aegean products in an area of heavy
competition. Before us there was no
station in the region under the Aegean brand. We have made the com-
pany known to consumers through
numerous advertisements, events and
sponsorships.
How do you deal with competition?
I have always embraced an outward-looking philosophy. We participate in several promotions, including
various advertisements on television
and the radio. Also, our service station, where I employ a staff of 10, has
a group that is involved in car racing.
We also have a Facebook company
page (Aegean Autogas Caralis) that
has information and photographs
about the actions we are involved in.
So as you can see, we fight the com-
How long have you been in the fuel
business? When did you open your
service station?
My family opened this service station
in 1976. While I have been involved
for many years helping my family, I
have been in charge since 2005.
How did you choose Aegean? How long
have you been selling Aegean fuel and
how is the collaboration with your
supplier?
We partnered with Aegean three years
ago. As a person I always make my decisions based on the human factor, so
my choice was based on my personal
contact with the people of Aegean.
Our cooperation is on a growth trajectory and the best is yet to come.
What would you like to wish for 2016?
Health, luck and lots of love for everyone! And let’s all keep smiling!
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 25
MARITIME TRADITION
The First Online Museum
on the Greek Shipping Miracle
The online museum, “Greek Shipping Miracle” is the first of its kind and aims to demonstrate,
with every possible detail, the admirable journey of the Greeks in the international shipping
arena over the past 150 years.
F
or over a century and a half, the
Greeks have carved an extremely
creative course in the world of
shipping, guided by their steady vision
in serving international seaborne trade
with quality and consistency, strictly
operating under competitive terms.
The timeless commitment of
Greeks toward the sea has resulted in
tiatives performed solely abroad.
The online museum includes historical data from 1873 up to the 21st
century on the miracle of Greek
shipping. Visitors can also tour the
rich photographic material and special sections on the history of many
Greek-owned vessels, the Greek
shipbuilding art, the charitable work
“I hope that the timeless achievements of the Greek shipping
industry will be appreciated all over the world and at the
same time will serve as a model of willpower and creativity
for young people”—GEORGE M. FOUSTANOS
achievements that have been characterized as a miracle. The successful
evolution of Greek shipping at the top
of the industry is indeed a miracle given that less than a century and a half
ago Greek seafarers were struggling to
accomplish the transition to the steam
era, while most Greek owners had to
start nearly from scratch in order to
reconstruct their decimated fleets after
the end of WWII. Their accomplishments look even more impressive if
one takes into account that they have
been the result of entrepreneurial ini-
26 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
of Greek shipowners, important documentation, information on marine
conferences, events and exhibitions,
and statistical data.
The creator of the online Greek
Shipping Miracle museum said: “The
foundation of this online museum was
supported by distinguished members
of the Greek shipping community to
whom I wish to express my gratitude.
This project aims to demonstrate, with
every possible detail, the admirable
journey of the Greeks in the international shipping arena over the past 150
years. I hope that the timeless achievements of the Greek shipping industry
will be appreciated all over the world
and at the same time will serve as a
model of willpower and creativity for
young people, who dream of a world
where the achievements of one person
have a positive impact on the lives of
many. For only then will the Greek
Shipping Miracle fulfill the vision behind its creation.”
We thank the Greek Shipping Miracle, and especially its creator, George M. Foustanos, for kindly providing the material
for this article. For more information, please visit the museum website at www.greekshippingmiracle.org
TRAVEL WITH AEGEAN
Karpenisi
In the center of Greece, in the region of Evrytania, surrounded by
forests and high mountains, Karpenisi offers unique experiences,
action, adventure, and relaxation.
U
ntouched by time, historical monuments, folk museums, monasteries and churches are hidden in the incomparable natural beauty
that is Karpenisi. Activities in nature, great history, long-lived
traditions, culinary delights,and warm hospitality make Karpenisi and the
surrounding villages an ideal winter destination offering an authentic natural lifestyle.
The wider region of the municipality of Karpenisi has been inhabited for
many centuries as Karpenisi has been a settlement since the Byzantine era.
During the Ottoman era residents took part in the uprising of 1600 and
1611 and other significant battles until the liberation of Greece from the
Turks. Karpenisi also took part in the revolution of 1821. During WWII, in
August of 1944, Karpenisi and another hundred villages of southern Evrytania were burned to the ground by the Germans.
Must See
Ski Center On the beautiful slopes of Mount
Tymfristos the modern facilities of the Velouhi
Ski Center welcome visitors every winter
offering them all the amenities to enjoy their
favorite sport or simply the sight of the whitewashed snowy landscape.
Proussos Monastery The Monastery of Proussos is a place of pilgrimage for believers from
all over Greece. According to tradition, the
foundation of the monastery is placed in the
time of the iconoclast Emperor Theophilus
(829-842 AD) and is connected with the
appearance of the sacred icon of the Virgin
Mary from Proussa (Asia Minor) in a cave in
Evrytania. The shelter of the picture is the
current site of the monastery, surrounded by
an imposing and wild landscape.
Kefalovryso In 1823 the historic battle of Kefalovryso, one of the most important military
events of the Greek revolution for independence, took place in this village.
Domnista National Resistance Monument
History enthusiasts can visit the monument of
National Resistance in the village of Domnista,
where on June 7, 1942 Aris Velouchiotis
launched the fight against the Germans.
Folk Museum in Megalo Chorio In this model
museum visitors will revive the past through
its rich exhibits, which demonstrate the continuity and evolution of the wider region.
Aegean service station
Activities in Nature The mountains and rivers
that surround Karpenisi are ideal for hiking,
climbing, skiing, and many other activities
that will delight nature lovers.
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 27
CHILDREN AND THE ENVIRONMENT
I Protect the Environment-I Safeguard my Future
By staying informed about what is happening in the world and by passing the information on to
others, we are taking a significant step toward the protection of our planet.
Impressive
Underwater Rift
Divides Europe and North America
Our oceans are full of secrets. Ocean water covers 71% of the
Earth's surface and amounts to 97% of the planet's water. Yet more
than 95% of the underwater world remains unexplored. We cannot
help wondering what is hiding deep beneath the surface. Over the
years underwater explorers have discovered ruins of fascinating and
marvelous, long-forgotten ancient kingdoms, mysterious objects of
unknown origin, entire rivers and jungles, and even huge canyons.
One such exploration revealed the meeting point of the tectonic
plates of Europe and America, creating a magnificent underwater rift.
The Silfra rift is located in Lake Thingvallavatn (Þingvallavatn) in
Thingvellir National Park in Iceland, at the point where the diverging
tectonic plates between North America and Eurasia meet.
The formation of The Silfra Tectonic Fissure and the Tihngvellir
valley is a consequence of the gradual shift of tectonic plates of
Eurasia and North America. Every year, these plates move away
from each other about 2 cm, a phenomenon which results in the accumulation of tension between the plates and the earth in the layers
above. An earthquake about every ten years releases this tension.
During these earthquakes cracks and fissures are formed, such as
Silfra, which is one of the major rifts and has started as a deep cave.
Silfra, because of its location, contains clean cold water. Due to high
visibility and its interesting geological morphology it attracts divers
who have the chance to swim literally between two continents.
The deepest point of Silfra is 63 meters, where only experienced
divers attempt a dive. The middle and more accessible part of the
rift is more than 100 meters long and offers stunning visibility (up
to 70-80 meters), which makes it one of the 50 most popular diving
destinations in the world.
I BECOME INFORMED - I INFORM OTHERS - I ACT
28 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 29
AEGEAN
COLLECTION
Step out in style
with the Aegean Collection
Aegean and renowned designer Robbi di Kappa have
teamed up to design a brand new look for today! The
Aegean sport line, with its nautical influence, is perfect
for stepping out in style, in the city, by the sea, or on
country walks—for him and for her.
Bundle up or travel light in polos and t-shirts.
At home, relax in luxurious bathrobes.
And stash your gear in versatile and stylish Aegean bags.
Discover the new Aegean look at the Aegean Shop or
online at www.aegeaneshop.com
Aegean Shop
at the Aegean Headquarters—
10 Akti Kondyli, 18545, Piraeus, Greece
30 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016
WINTER 2015-2016 AEGEAN NEWS 31
Aegean
Energy for the Future
Aegean is Greece's most dynamic energy, petroleum, and shipping group. The company has a network of retail gas
stations throughout Greece, is active in marine fuels and lubricants, and operates a fleet of tankers and barges internationally and domestically to transport petroleum and bunkers for its global base of clients.
RETAIL MARKET
Through its fast-growing network of gas stations, Aegean supplies drivers in Greece with gasoline and automotive
lubricants. Aegean’s modern, well-maintained gas station network has won the trust of drivers due to the high quality
products and services it offers at competitive prices. In addition, Aegean directly supplies large industrial clients with
petroleum products of all grades, owing to the consistency and service of its transactions.
BUNKER FLEET
NYSE listed Aegean Marine Petroleum Inc., with an exclusively double hull fleet—of which nine ships are newbuildings—is the natural supplier of marine fuels at 12 of the most significant ports in the world. Furthermore, with its
22 newbuildings program in progress and the continuous opening of new stations, it is one of
the most dynamically developing divisions Of the Aegean Group.
BUNKERING
Aegean provides one of the most efficient and responsive bunkering services to
clients worldwide. Its ships never stop sailing and its services are available 24
hours a day, 365 days a year. Aegean operates bunkering stations in Piraeus and Patras, and in Gibraltar, Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp, Fujairah,
Jamaica, Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago, Portland UK, Vancouver and Montreal, Mexico, Tangiers, Las Palmas and Tenerife, Panama, Barcelona, Algeciras,
Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Norfolk, Charleston, Los Angeles, Hamburg, the Gulf of Mexico, and St. Petersburg. All its products are ISO 8217
certified. The Company, which is a member of IBIA and is ISO 9001 certified,
is well positioned on the FOBAS White List.
SHIPPING
Aegean's fleet of ships is at the heart of its superior service worldwide. Its vessels
operate in full compliance with EU and international standards, are all certified by
ISM, ISPS and MLC as well as with ISO 9001, 14001, 18001 and 50001 and are in
complete compliance with SOLAS and MARPOL regulations. Aegean continually adds to its
fleet of ships, which transports oil cargoes worldwide on behalf of major oil companies,
commercial clients, and Aegean customers. Its new GreenFleet (http://www.greenfleet.gr) incorporates the latest technologies to ensure reduced operating costs
and reduced emissions, while increasing overall performance.
LUBRICANTS
Aegean produces and markets high performance lubricants for vehicles and
industrial use under the Aegean brand and, for the marine market, under the
ALFA brand. ALFA marine lubricants are certified and approved by the largest
marine engine manufacturers in the world.
The resources of our company and our follow–up service create our successful relationships and allow Aegean to supply lubricants in more than 550
ports worldwide.
ENVIRONMENT-HEC
The Hellenic Environmental Center collects, transports and processes oil residues
from ships and land units (industrial, shipyards), while it also manages all liquid residues produced by ships.
In order to carry out its work HEC has the most state-of-the-art equipment, consisting of floating
separators, a fleet of pollutant-collecting tankers, and well-equipped tank trucks.
HEC acts to protect the marine environment and at the same time contributes significantly to the saving of energy
with the recycling procedures it uses to transform the reclaimed pollutants into energy resources.
TRADING
Aegean is dynamically active in the trading of crude oil and petroleum products worldwide. The Trading Department
is comprised of dedicated and professional individuals who combine high level expertise and a great many years of
experience in the oil industry. Petroleum products are supplied to a broad spectrum of customers who comprise the
company's portfolio. Aegean has acquired its credibility from the high quality of the services it provides to suppliers
and ship owners, a fact that supports the company’s ambitions for the achievement of long-range goals in the energy
sector worldwide.
Aegean’s websites
www.aegeanoil.com
www.ampni.com
32 AEGEAN NEWS WINTER 2015-2016