Page 18 - Next Generation 2015 - Digtial Issue

Next Generation Europe
Younger brother Alekos, 27, is more
involved in the tankers.
The past eight or nine years, which
have encompassed extreme peaks and
troughs in the market, have already given
Ms Pappas an extraordinary shipping
education.
“I consider it a blessing that I
entered the company when it was so
small, for two reasons: it gave me the
time to go through the departments
and secondly, and most importantly,
I experienced what it is to build a
company,” she says.
Ms Pappas has also experienced
the establishment of two brand new
companies, newbuilding contracting,
mergers, public fundraisers and other
aspects of life with the capital markets, as its participation in the industry, there
well as the drive for more efficient vessels have been some who have questioned
sparked by high oil prices.
“Being listed offers the attraction of
providing an alternative source of funds
and a potentially liquid market if one
wishes to cash out,” she says.
“On the other hand, public markets
do not understand shipping very well
and are not designed to follow the
cycles.”
Apart from pumping extra money
inti shipping, Ms Pappas says the capital
markets have added “sophistication” to
the sector. “Listed companies are much
more regulated and demanding in many
aspects of their operations,” she says.
Shipping, she says, is “a love affair”
but at the same time it is only as good as
the people of which it is comprised.
“Having a stable team of skilled and
trusted people is defining and central
to our company’s mentality. Being
surrounded by innovative and intelligent
people offers huge advantages in a
business that is by definition inexact and
unpredictable,” she says.
“Greeks have always had an aptitude
for the sea and shipping. Greece is, in my
view, the ideal place to be, as I consider
it the shipping capital of the world —
provided the business environment
continues to be conducive to our sector’s
specific needs.”
18 | Lloyd’s List Next Generation 2015 | www.lloydslist.com
Following almost medium range tankers, all built since
70 years after his 2008.
grandfather set up
the family business, There are now another 11 vessels
the Latsco Shipping on order, all of them for construction
director is ready at Hyundai Heavy Industries. Within
and eager to lead a less than two years, the group will
‘vigorous return’ to be taking delivery of another six
large LPG carriers and five product-
shipping chemical tankers of 50,000 dwt.
Greece A reorganisation of the group’s
Paris shipping operation, which includes
Kassidokostas-Latsis Consolidated Marine Management in
Greece, was under way last year to
THE Latsis Group has been involved in handle the more robust presence in
shipping for about 70 years, since the the industry.
legendary John Latsis purchased his
first ship, Effi, in 1947. According to Mr Kassidokostas-
Latsis: “We envisage the opening of a
While it has never discontinued fresh new chapter in the 70-year-old
maritime history of our group.”
the enthusiasm for shipping in the
years since the founder’s death, when
the family has been engaged in so
many different businesses.
But here comes Paris
Kassidokostas-Latsis, the great man’s
grandson, who is seemingly ready and
eager to lead a “vigorous return in
shipping”, to use his own words.
Speaking of John Latsis, Mr
Kassidokostas-Latsis says: “His
adoration for both the sea as well as
seamen accompanied him throughout
his life and those feelings were
naturally passed on to me.
“This responsibility has weighed
on my shoulders; however, I am
deeply pleased to have undertaken the
task, on behalf of my family, to carry
on what John Latsis established in
shipping.”
Certainly, the size of the operation
appears to be expanding.
Latsco Shipping’s existing
fleet comprises three very large gas
carriers, five aframaxes and four