40th Anniversary of the Costas Grammenos Centre for shipping Trade & Finance

Focusing on the principles of excellence, meritocracy, friendship, dialogue, research and global approach The Costas Grammenos Centre for shipping Trade & Finance celebrated its 40th Anniversary on the occasion of the 5th Athens Triennial Meeting that takes place at Onassis Stegi Foundation in 7-9 October 2024.

In his speech Professor Costas Th. Grammenos CBE, DSc, Chairman, Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade and Finance remarked that the program started 40 years ago at CASS Business School of City University of London which was recently renamed to BAYES Business School and it was the first postgraduate program worldwide that attracted a great number of Greek students who made an outstanding career in shipping.

The Centre maintained strong relationships with Greek and foreign shipping, City of London and shipping & global trade associations exchanging ideas and opinions. The scope of the Centre is to well prepare the students to face this new world which is changing due to the geopolitics risks and the challenges of climate change and digital transformation.

The Centre is highly respected internationally as the most innovative academic institution that has developed advanced research and financial models for the seaborne trade helping the maritime sector to remain resilient and competitive despite all the challenges and disruptions.

The Pr. Grammenos referred to the achievements of the Centre of Shipping Trade & Finance including the creation of research staff, the publication of books on bank finance credit analysis and other topics, advice to shipping companies and industry stakeholders, establishment of a continuous dialogue through seminars, conferences and symposiums. He particularly emphasized on the Athens Triennial Meetings and the past Piraeus Meetings and Onassis Prizes that were introduced in 2009. The Prizes are granted every three years to mark contributions and achievements in the fields of Finance, International Trade and Shipping respectively.

The event was addressed by Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein, CBE FREng DSc MAE FCGI, President, City, University of London, Professor Andre Spicer, Dean, Bayes Business School Dr Anthony S. Papadimitriou, President, Onassis Foundation and the His Excellency Matthew Lodge, His Majesty's Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, British Embassy Athens who referred to the fundamental contribution of the Costas Grammenos Centre for shipping Trade & Finance in an increasingly complex world. The speakers stressed that the Centre also promotes the importance of accumulating knowledge and thinking out of the box in this uncertain international situation.

The 1st day of the meeting focused on the topics of Geopolitical changes, global economic shifts Maritime history, Artificial Intelligence, green energy private equity funds in shipping and other important issues and was attended by a high respected audience.

The School's Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade and Finance, established in 1983 and launched in 1984 by Professor Costas Th. Grammenos, CBE, DSc, provides pioneering postgraduate teaching and research in Shipping Energy, Trade and Finance, offering the first specialist MSc degrees in these disciplines.  Through its unique blend of theory and practice, the Centre has gained international recognition among industry leaders, government figures, senior academics and its graduates and students.

The Centre is a global hub and the first to introduce inter-relationships between shipping, trade and finance by teaching, researching and discussion in class with leading international academics and practitioners from the City of London and overseas. 

The Centre has organised the City of London Biennial meetings since 1999, the Athens Triennial meetings since 2007, the International Onassis Prizes in Shipping, in Trade and in Finance, as well as various other meetings and events. 

This year, 2024, the Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade and Finance celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

MELINA TRAVLOS’ ADDRESS 

Melina Travlos, president of the Union of Greek Shipowners addressed the "5th Athens Triennial Meeting" in the context of the 40th anniversary of the Costas Grammenos Center for Shipping, Trade and Finance. Mrs Travlos stated: "Shipping unites peoples, societies, economies under any circumstances.

This real dimension of shipping must become the property of everyone, the leaders, but also the citizens. And its invisible role is constantly becoming more and more visible.

As shipping people we need to realize this necessity and work and cooperate in this direction, always respecting the values and virtues of our industry.

Excellence, meritocracy and extroversion, as Professor Kostas Grammenos has characteristically mentioned.

In this highly demanding mission, human capital is the driving force. Protecting and shielding shipping is the duty and responsibility of all of us. For us, the Shipping of the Greeks, it is our duty as a maritime nation and as the navigator, pioneer, leader of shipping.

During this 40-year course, the Greek and Philhellenic professor managed to open, develop and establish a strong link between theory and practice. Professor Grammenos has been and continues to be honored for his work nationally and internationally, with the highlight being the double distinction and awarding of Great Britain titles by Queen Elizabeth herself. As well as his proclamation as "Commander of the Order of the Phoenix", by the Presidency of the Hellenic Republic. But, surely, the greatest distinction of all is the universal recognition of his work academically, technocratically, institutionally.

The internationally recognized famous Center is a global hub of interconnection of shipping, commerce and finance through teaching, research and dialogue. As the spiritual father of nearly 5,000 graduates from 160 countries, he has provided and continues to provide a new generation of leaders who have evolved, evolved and lead the financial and maritime community into the new era."

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