GUIDE TO
47th ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
& BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS
All the information, forms, and documents you need in one place
THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2025 | 12.00 EET | ONASSIS STEGI
Follow these steps to participate, submit nominations, or attend as an observer.
All important deadlines, steps, and downloadable documents are listed below.
Please scroll down to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section, where you will find answers to everything you need to know for your smooth participation in the Assembly and Elections.
All HELMEPA members interested in participating in the General Assembly and Elections can find here everything needed to take part.
IMPORTANT
Members must settle any outstanding membership fees by 11 November 2025, to qualify for participation and voting privileges.
How to Participate
review Essential documents
Available for Download
Prior to the General Assembly, all members are strongly encouraged to review the essential documents listed below. Familiarizing yourself with these materials will ensure you are well-prepared for assembly discussions and decision-making processes:
Submit Authorization Form
Recommended Deadline: 6 November 2025
To participate in the Assembly with voting privileges, all eligible members must complete and submit the Authorization Form ⇥
Eligibility Requirement: Only members with current annual membership fees paid in full are eligible to register for voting participation.
Submit Nomination Form
Deadline: 6 November 2025
Members wishing to nominate candidates for positions on the new Board of Directors or Audit Committee must complete and submit the Board of Directors/Audit Committee Nomination Form ⇥
Observer Registration
Deadline: 6 November 2025
Staff of member companies, honorary members, and other stakeholders may attend the Assembly as observers (without voting rights) by completing and submitting the Observer Registration Form ⇥
meet the candidates
The nomination process for Board of Directors and Audit Committee positions will remain open until 6 November 2025
The official list of candidates will be published on the same day following the nomination deadline.
meet the candidates FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Listed in alphabetical order
by Membership Category
regular members (shipping companies)
ATHANASIOS
BEIS
General Manager
COSTAMARE SHIPPING COMPANY S.A.
IRENE
DAIFAS
CONBULK SHIPMANAGEMENT CORPORATION
MICHALIS
DALACOURAS
Director
DALEX SHIPPING CO. S.A.
ANDREAS
GIAKOUMELOS
Director
VENERGY MARINE MANAGEMENT
MARIA
HAJIOANNOU
ESG Executive
ALASSIA NEW SHIPS MANAGEMENT INC.
ANNA
KALATHAKIS
Executive Vice President–Risk Management, Navios Maritime Partners LP
NAVIOS SHIPMANAGEMENT INC.
GEORGIOS
KALLIANIS
Director
ALMA SHIPMANAGEMENT & TRADING S.A.
FRANGISKOS
KANELLAKIS
Managing Director
PANTHEON TANKERS MANAGEMENT LTD.
GEORGE
KARAGEORGIOU
President / CEO
OLYMPIC SHIPPING & MANAGEMENT S.A.
KALLI
LIVANOU
Chief Commercial Officer
KYLA SHIPPING & TRADING CORP.
IOANNA
MARTINOU
Member of the Board
THENAMARIS SHIPS MANAGEMENT INC.
DIMITRIOS
MATTHEOU
CEO
ARCADIA SHIPMANAGEMENT CO. LTD.
CHRISTOS
NTEGIANNIS
General Manager
AEGEAN SHIPPING MANAGEMENT S.A.
SEMIRAMIS
PALIOU
CEO
DIANA SHIPPING SERVICES S.A.
MILENA
PAPPAS
Commercial Director & Board Member
STARBULK S.A.
EIRINI
PITTA
Management Consultant
EUROBULK LTD.
ELENI
POLYCHRONOPOULOU
Executive Vice President of EPE S.A.
AKTEA II MARITIME COMPANY
CHRYSANTHI
STEFANOU
Managing Director
GOLDEN STAR FERRIES SHIPPING COMPANY
IOANNIS
XYLAS
President / CEO
ARISTON NAVIGATION CORP.
PANAGIOTIS
ZACHARIADIS
Technical Director
ATLANTIC BULK CARRIERS MANAGEMENT LTD.
meet the candidates FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
corporate members (associate / supporters)
KOSTAS
ANTONIADIS
Managing Partner
EMICERT
HARRIS
ANTONIOU
CEO
NEPTUNE MARITIME LEASING LTD.
SPIROS NICOLAS
APOSTOLOPOULOS
Marine Insurance Broker - Director
EURORISK S.A.
ALEXANDROS
GLYKAS
CEO / General Manager
DYNAMARINe S.A
LEANDROS
KONTOGOURIS
Vice President
STANLEY GROUP
meet the candidates FOR AUDIT COMMITTEE
KONSTANTINOS
KARAVASILIS
Regional Director, Loss Prevention
THE UNITED KINGDOM MUTUAL STEAM SHIP ASSURANCE ASSOCIATION LIMITED
EMMANOUIL
NIKOLAIDIS
Economist (Maritime)
E.NIKOLAIDIS-M.MANIATI OE | PREMIUM CONSULTING
MARINA
PAPAIOANNOU
Regional Maritime Academies Manager
DNV
PAVLINA
PROTEOU
Founder / CEO
BEYONDCSR.LTD
SIMOS
VARIAS
CEO
CROSSWORLD MARINE SERVICES INC.
online voting details
Voting Schedule November 13, 2025
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Start Time: 14:00 EET (Athens local time)
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Duration: 14:00 - 18:00 ΕΕΤ
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Platform: ElectionBuddy platform
Voting Eligibility: Only members who have settled their annual membership fees and completed Αuthorization for General Assembly participation are eligible to vote.
Voting Process: Each authorized member will receive a unique secure link to access the online voting platform. Detailed voting instructions are available below and in the FAQs under "How does online voting work?":
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Look for an email from invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com. It contains useful information and your unique voting link.
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Open the Link – Click the link in the email to access the secure voting page.
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Cast Your Vote – Follow the instructions to select your choices.
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Submit Your Ballot – Review your selections and click “Submit” to finalize your vote.
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Confirmation – You’ll receive a confirmation message once your vote is successfully submitted.
Elections ended on 13 November 2024, 18.00 EET (Athens time, GMT +02:00).
Read more here.
online voting details
Voting Schedule November 13, 2025
-
Start Time: 14:00 EET (Athens local time)
-
Duration: 14:00 - 18:00 ΕΕΤ
-
Platform: ElectionBuddy platform
Voting Eligibility: Only members who have settled their annual membership fees and completed Αuthorization for General Assembly participation are eligible to vote.
Voting Process: Each authorized member will receive a unique secure link to access the online voting platform. Detailed voting instructions are available below and in the FAQs under "How does online voting work?":
-
Look for an email from invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com. It contains useful information and your unique voting link.
-
Open the Link – Click the link in the email to access the secure voting page.
-
Cast Your Vote – Follow the instructions to select your choices.
-
Submit Your Ballot – Review your selections and click “Submit” to finalize your vote.
-
Confirmation – You’ll receive a confirmation message once your vote is successfully submitted.
Elections end on 13 November 2024, 18.00 EET (Athens time, GMT +02:00).
Results Publication: Following the close of voting, complete results will be published here, including:
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Elected Board of Directors members
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Elected Audit Committee members
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Vote tallies for all candidates
venue information
Special thanks to Onassis Stegi for generously hosting our General Assembly
Location
Onassis Stegi, 107-109 Syggrou Avenue, Athens 117 45, Greece
Date & Time
13 November 2025 at 12:00 EET (Athens local time). Please arrive at least 30 minutes early for check-in.
Transportation Options
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Metro: Syggrou-Fix Station (Line 2 – Red Line)
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Bus: Multiple bus lines stop nearby
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Taxi: Available from all parts of Athens
Parking
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Limited parking on a first-come, first-served basis
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Nearby paid parking lots available
Onassis Stegi is fully accessible, offering
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Wheelchair-friendly entrances
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Elevators to all floors
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Accessible restrooms
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Reserved seating areas
FAQs
questions ABOUT the general assembly
Member companies with no outstanding membership fees can participate in the Assembly by completing the Authorization Form. This enables the designated representative to exercise voting rights during the assembly and elections through the online voting system.
Yes. Other staff members from your company may attend as observers (without voting rights) by completing and submitting the Observer Registration Form outlined in Step 4 of this participation guide.
Financially up-to-date members are companies that have settled the membership fees by 11 November 2025.
Yes. All members who have settled their membership fees are eligible to vote in the General Assembly, regardless of when they joined. You can confirm your participation by submitting the Authorization Form provided in Step 2 of this participation guide.
Yes. A company removed by Board of Directors decision in 2025 remains a member until that decision is confirmed by the General Assembly, and may therefore participate through its representative. Membership rights are lost only upon voluntary resignation or removal after General Assembly confirmation of the Board's decision.
No. Only members who were financially up-to-date and part of HELMEPA as of December 31, 2024 are entitled to vote in the General Assembly.
Company payments are accepted up to 11 November 2025.
Each member can represent up to two (2) absent members with a written authorization.
The General Assembly (GA) has a quorum when at least 50% of Regular (shipping companies) and Corporate Members (non-shipping companies and organizations) in good financial standing are present or represented by proxy. If a quorum is not achieved, the GA will reconvene within seven days, and the meeting will proceed regardless of the number of members present or represented.
All members are listed alphabetically and by membership category (Shipping Companies and Corporate Members) on the HELMEPA website here
It is not possible to list two names. However, you may resubmit the authorization once the final representative has been confirmed, provided this is done within the deadline (see the Introduction Section and Step 2 of this Guide).
The Election Committee is elected by members participating in the General Assembly. Individuals who are already serving on or are candidates for the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee are not eligible for election to the Election Committee.
The Audit Committee is elected for a three-year term and is responsible for overseeing the financial and operational management of the Board of Directors. It submits a relevant report to the next Annual General Assembly or to an Extraordinary General Assembly, if deemed necessary or if requested by the Annual General Assembly. Members of the Audit Committee are not eligible to stand for election to the Board of Directors or the Election Committee.
The current Board of Directors of HELMEPA consists of representatives from our member community elected, in November 2022.
To view the full list of members and roles, please click here.
The current Audit Committee consists, in alphabetical order, of:
Regular Members
Mr. Emmanouil Nikolaides - Premium Consulting
Mr. Stefanos Mpetsikas - Efnav Company Ltd
Mr. Simos Varias - Crossworld Marine Services Inc.
Alternate Members
Ms. Marina Papaioannou - DNV
D Marinas Hellas A.E.
questions ABOUT the elections
If you wish to be nominated for the Audit Committee, you should complete and submit the Board of Directors/Audit Committee Nomination Form provided in Step 3 of this participation guide.
Yes. A physical representative must be present at the in-person General Assembly. This is a mandatory requirement, as representatives need to attend the proceedings and approve the agenda items presented to the General Assembly members.
Each corporate member (all companies and organizations except shipping companies) is entitled to one (1) vote.
The voting rights of each shipping company are determined by the number of ships it owns, plus one additional vote for the company itself. For example, a company with 4 ships holds a total of 5 votes (4 for the ships and 1 for the company).
No. Only the duly authorized representative of each company may cast the company’s vote during the General Assembly elections.
No, there will be two separate online ballots: one for Regular Members (shipping companies) and another for Corporate Members (all other companies and organizations, excluding shipping companies).
No later than ten days after the election, the board member with the most votes organizes the first meeting of the newly elected board to formally establish it. At this meeting, the board elects its President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Special Secretary, Treasurer, and Deputy Treasurer through a secret ballot.
For the board election, voters representing Regular Members (shipping companies) may select up to 16 candidates, casting one vote per candidate.
For the board election, voters representing Corporate Members (non-shipping companies and organizations) may select up to 2 candidates, casting one vote per candidate.
The alphabetical list of candidates will be published on 6 November 2025 in the Elections section of the Association’s Guide to the General Assembly and Elections.
The elections will be conducted through the ElectionBuddy platform. On the day of HELMEPA’s 47th General Assembly, 13 November 2024, around 13.45 – 14.30 EET (Athens time, GMT +02:00), you’ll receive an email with instructions to vote as follows:
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Look for an email from invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com. It contains useful information and your unique voting link.
-
Open the Link – Click the link in the email to access the secure voting page.
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Cast Your Vote – Follow the instructions to select your choices.
-
Submit Your Ballot – Review your selections and click “Submit” to finalize your vote.
-
Confirmation – You’ll receive a confirmation message once your vote is successfully submitted.
-
Elections end on 13 November 2024, 18.00 EET (Athens time, GMT +02:00).
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about helmepa
In brief, HELMEPA is a historic and impactful non-governmental organization, founded by the Greek shipping community in 1982 to protect the marine environment, promote safety at sea, and advance sustainable development.
Today, HELMEPA unites 370 shipping companies and organizations in Greece and abroad, 2,515 ocean-going vessels, and over 15,000 seafarers and maritime professionals.
Through our outreach and education programs, over one million volunteers and students across Greece have engaged in ocean literacy, blue economy awareness, scholarships, and experiential environmental education rooted in ocean science.
The award-winning HELMEPA Academy serves as a leading hub of lifelong learning, empowering more than 40,000 seafarers and maritime professionals with training and reskilling for the industry’s green and digital transition.
HELMEPA also supports the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in its efforts toward “Safe and Efficient Ships in Clean Seas” and regularly participates in MEPC and MSC meetings as Technical Advisor to the Greek Delegation. following documents to be prepared for discussions and decisions:
As an accredited UNEP/MAP Partner since 1985, HELMEPA contributes actively to regional environmental policy and action in the Mediterranean, working closely with the Coordinating Unit, MED POL, REMPEC, and other components.
HELMEPA has inspired the creation of sister organizations worldwide under the international “MEPA” movement, collectively forming the INTERMEPA network, whose Secretariat is hosted at our headquarters in Greece.
By bridging science, industry, and civil society, HELMEPA serves as an open platform for advancing ocean literacy and sustainable ocean governance. We collect, analyze, and openly share marine environmental data, primarily from maritime operations, as well as from coastal monitoring and citizen science.
Embracing an open-source culture, we strive to make this knowledge widely accessible to inform policy, empower local communities, and support evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean.
Our work for the seas
for the planet
for humankind
is inspired
measurable, shared
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