HEMEXPO Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers and Exporters
Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers remain globally competitive in a demanding market, exporting advanced maritime equipment solutions worldwide. Today, over 10,000 ships around the globe are equipped with products made by Greek companies that are proud members of HEMEXPO – Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers & Exporters – which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
Under the slogan “10 Years of SEAnergies”, HEMEXPO hosted a commemorative event on Tuesday, December 3, at the iconic Skaramangas Shipyards in Athens. The event highlighted the innovative products manufactured by Greek companies, their significant contribution to the national economy, and HEMEXPO’s vision and goals for the future, as presented by its President, Ms. Eleni Polychronopoulou.
The event was attended by notable figures, including the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Christos Stylianides; the Chairman and CEO of Skaramangas Shipyards, Mr. Georgios Prokopiou and Mr. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis; HEMEXPO’s visionary founder Capt. Panagiotis Tsakos; staunch supporter Mr. Simeon Palios; government officials; representatives from armed forces and shipping institutions; esteemed members of the maritime community; and representatives of HEMEXPO’s 32 member companies. The event was moderated by journalist Ms. Katerina Tsamouri.
A Success Story of Collective Action – Made in Greece
HEMEXPO’s member companies manufacture advanced, high-quality, and globally competitive products in Greece, exporting them worldwide.
Over the years, HEMEXPO has played a pivotal role in strengthening its members’ competitiveness. During his opening remarks, the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy emphasized HEMEXPO’s contribution to the Greek maritime industry, stating: “Marine equipment is the cornerstone of every vessel and maritime activity. The Greek companies of HEMEXPO offer integrated solutions that meet the demands of the global fleet.”
To further support HEMEXPO’s achievements, the Minister announced the allocation of €25 million from the ESPA Competitiveness Fund to financially bolster the sector and assist HEMEXPO members.
The Birth of HEMEXPO
HEMEXPO’s journey began a decade ago, rooted in a vision sparked by Captain Panagiotis Tsakos in 2013. The idea was born when Captain Tsakos discovered that ships he had built in Romania were equipped with mattresses manufactured in Korea. A patriotic and dynamic leader, the Tsakos Group founder immediately questioned whether Greece produced mattresses—and if so, why equipment had been chosen from distant Korea instead of being sourced from Greek manufacturers.
It turned out that Greece did produce high-quality and competitively priced mattresses—and much more. Captain Tsakos shared his vision and entrusted Eleni Polychronopoulou, now HEMEXPO President, with the crucial task of establishing the association. A year later, in 2014, HEMEXPO became a reality.
During his subsequent travels to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, Captain Tsakos raised the issue with Asian shipyards, shared his vision with other Greek shipowners, and—with the full support of then-President Karolos Papoulias—facilitated HEMEXPO’s first business missions.
Similarly, Simeon Palios took steps to advance the cause, formally presenting the matter to the Chinese government during the signing ceremony with The Export–Import Bank of China.
Captain Tsakos’s vision, wholeheartedly supported by Greek shipowners, led to the creation of HEMEXPO.
New Prospects for HEMEXPO from the Revival of Greece’s Shipbuilding and Repair Industry
The event held at the Skaramangas Shipyards marked a turning point, highlighting the new opportunities arising for HEMEXPO and its members through the revitalization of Greece’s shipbuilding and repair sector.
This sentiment was echoed by Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, CEO of Skaramangas Shipyards, who, in welcoming the attendees, emphasized:
“We would not be here without the vision of a strategic leader: someone who envisioned the Skaramangas Shipyards not only maintaining and repairing but soon building commercial and naval vessels. This individual is the distinguished shipowner and businessman, Mr. George Prokopiou, who has made a significant investment.”
Varvitsiotis further stated:
“Our goal is to bring to life the vision of the founders of the Skaramangas Shipyards, which is to establish them as the largest and most modern shipyard in the country and one of the leading shipbuilding infrastructures in the Mediterranean.”
Addressing HEMEXPO members, he added:
“I hope that Skaramangas Shipyards will become your home and that your products will be systematically integrated into vessels managed by Greek—and other—shipowners. This will increase the global presence of Greek maritime equipment, both in terms of sales and technological innovation.”
HEMEXPO’s Contribution to the Greek Economy
According to the third study conducted by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) and presented by its General Director, Professor Nikos Vettas, HEMEXPO’s member companies have shown an impressive decade-long growth trajectory.
In 2022, HEMEXPO’s total contribution to the Greek economy reached €2 billion, nearing 1% of the country’s GDP. Additionally, the activities of HEMEXPO’s companies and their suppliers generated fiscal revenues of €312 million, underlining the sector’s undeniable importance.
As per the study, HEMEXPO’s member companies currently offer 2,900 full-time direct jobs, with the total employment impact reaching 13,400 positions.
The sector’s remarkable contribution to the Greek economy results from the outstanding achievements of HEMEXPO’s member companies. Between 2014 and 2022, the member companies tripled their total turnover, reaching €677 million, showcasing significant growth over this period.
The full study, presented by Professor Nikos Vettas and titled “Marine Equipment Manufacturing: Trends, Prospects, and Contribution to the Greek Economy,” is available for further reading.
Focused on Exports
According to the findings of the study presented by IOBE’s General Director, exports are a strategic goal for Greek marine equipment manufacturing companies. Exports currently account for nearly 40% of the sector’s annual turnover, reaching €268 million.
Over the past decade, with support from Enterprise Greece, HEMEXPO has participated in over 35 exhibitions and 10 trade missions across Europe, Asia, and America, aiming to further enhance the export profile of its member companies.
10 Years of HEMEXPO – 10 Goals for the Future
These significant achievements are the result of a long journey, as HEMEXPO President Eleni Polychronopoulou—who also serves as President of ERMA FIRST Group and Vice President of SEA EUROPE—highlighted in her speech. Polychronopoulou expressed deep gratitude to Greek shipowners, whom she referred to as the “masters of the seas”, for their consistent support of Greek manufacturers from day one.
Ms. Polychronopoulou also thanked the Ministry of Shipping and Enterprise Greece for their unwavering support of Greek marine equipment manufacturers. Reflecting on the achievements of the past decade, she introduced 10 ambitious goals for the next phase of HEMEXPO’s journey:
- Achieving turnover exceeding €1 billion.
- Increasing the number of Greek marine equipment manufacturers.
- Strengthening the export profile.
- Enhancing the brand name.
- Attracting skilled professionals to the industry.
- Development of testing and certification infrastructures in Greece.
- Increasing participation in funding programs.
- Expanding collaborations with academic institutions.
- Participating in the renewal program of the Greek coastal fleet.
- Promoting even more partnerships.
Further details about HEMEXPO’s 10 goals for the future can be found in the related video below:
