The Mission to Seafarers launches its Global welfare services to the Greek shipping community alongside HRH The Princess Royal, its President
The Mission to Seafarers (MtS), one of the world’s leading maritime welfare charities, launched its global services to the Greek shipping community at a special event held at the Yacht Club of Greece. The launch marks a significant milestone for the 170-year-old organisation as it establishes a permanent presence in Greece and deepens its engagement with one of the world’s most influential maritime nations.
The event, held on Friday, 22 May, welcomed HRH The Princess Royal and her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence to the closing reception alongside Peter Rouch, Secretary General of MtS and Matthew Lodge HM Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, the day-long programme was divided into four parts: A Lunch and Round Table hosted by Jan Webber, Director of Development, both bringing together 24 leaders from the Greek shipping industry for a series of presentations and discussions. This was followed by a drinks reception for 100 guests.
A SafeTALK suicide-alertness training session also took place at NorthStandard’s offices in Piraeus. Delivered by Tom O’Hare, MtS’ Programme Manager and accredited SafeTALK trainer, the session brought together 40 crewing managers to experience this important training firsthand, with a view to extending it to their seafarers. With a waiting list of a further 20 it is expected that this course will be repeated in the Autumn
We extend our thanks to our Headline Sponsor, V.Ships, and Supporting Sponsor, Inmarsat, for their generous support of this event and our presence in Greece.
Jan Webber, Director of Development, The Mission to Seafarers, said: “Greece’s shipping sector plays a vital role in global maritime trade, and we recognise its significant contribution to the lives and livelihoods of those who work at sea. We look forward to building trusted partnerships and ensuring our welfare support is well-targeted, relevant, and effective. My personal thanks go to Dimitris Patrikios, V.Ships for his vital assistance with our VIP guest list and Kostas Katsoulieris for allowing us to use NorthStandards’ offices. We have taken our first small steps in reaching out to the Greek shipping community and we have received nothing but warmth and recognition for our work, which is an encouraging sign.”
The round table sessions addressed: Women at Sea: How gender diversity strengthens crew culture and performance, and how much it depends on establishing the right culture and Supporting Mental Wellbeing at Sea: addressing severe distress and the risk of suicide, and focused on how the industry can respond with clarity and empathy.
Dimitris Patrikios, Vice Chairman, Senior Business Development – Mediterranean, V.Ships said: “We are proud to support The Mission to Seafarers’ presence in Greece at a time when seafarer wellbeing is inseparable from the safety and sustainability of our industry. It was a true honour to meet HRH The Princess Royal, whose longstanding commitment continues to inspire action across the maritime industry. Bringing the Greek shipping community together in this way reinforces our shared responsibility to keep the human element at the heart of shipping. We are delighted to contribute to that collective effort.”
In tandem, Peter Rouch attended a Union of Greek Shipowners Lunch also attended by HRH The Princess Royal and Sir Tim Laurence.
Founded in 1856, The Mission to Seafarers provides practical and emotional support to the world’s 1.9 million seafarers across more than 200 ports globally. Its services span chaplaincy and pastoral care, mental health support, emergency assistance, and advocacy. The organisation has supported seafarers of all nationalities -including Greek seafarers, throughout its long history.
The Greek launch builds on this legacy, with MtS now focused on forging partnerships with Greek shipping companies, listening to their needs, and tailoring its welfare programmes to the realities of life aboard Greek-managed and Greek-owned vessels. The Seafarers Happiness Index for Q1 2026 recorded a score of 7.18 out of 10, underlining the ongoing need for proactive welfare support.
Greek shipping plays golf for a 5th year
Suspense for “Greek Maritime Golf Event” is overwhelming, as the golf tournament of the shipping community, returns for the 5th consecutive year at Costa Navarino from June 8-9, 2019, with a rich program full of golf, parallel activities and many surprises for the Greek and global shipping industry.
“Greek Maritime Golf Event” teams, consisted of distinguished executives of the Greek shipping community (four people in each team), have already been formed. Golfers will compete in the two signature 18-hole courses, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course.The action begins on Saturday, June 8, at 10.00 am, with participants competing on both team and individual levels in a shotgun scramble that will take place at The Dunes Course.On Sunday, June 9, at 10.00 am, golfers will optionally participate in the two (2) ball better ball (3/4 hcp) to be held at The Bay Course.Teams participating will claim the prizes for the top three positions in the overall standings on both courses; while special awards will be given on Saturdays’ game to individual players who will achieve the best scores in the special categories “Longest Drive” and “Closest to the Pin”.
For those not taking part in the golf tournament, the event has enriched its program with parallel activities. Specifically, on Saturday, June 8, non-golfers will have the opportunity to attend the golf clinic and take part in the putting competition to be held at The Dunes Course. Respectively, lovers of nature and history can join the guided tour at the beautiful Venetian fortress of Niokastro in Pylos. It was built in 1573 and constitutes one of the two castles that preserved the strategic Navarino Bay.
Golfing action will be concluded with the award ceremony and announcement of the winners. More information about the tournament’s full program can be found at the following link:
The “Greek Maritime Golf Event”, is organized by Golf Events 18, an initiative of the recognized Greek PGA golfers, Mr. Panagiotis and Mr. Thanos Karantzias. The top golf tournament is exclusively addressed to distinguished executives of the Greek shipping community.
Platinum Sponsor: The Marshall Islands Registry IRI
Golden Sponsors: Mainline Shipping Company, Onego Shipping Company, Jotun Hellas
Silver Sponsors: Ross Shipbrokers, Swift Marine, Arrow Hellas
Official Travel Partner: Marine Tours
Official Airline: Qatar Airways
Official Timekeeper: Piaget
Official Car Partner: Spanos SA – Jaguar Land Rover
Official Soft Drink: Loux plus ‘n light
Welcome Cocktail Sponsor: METAXA
Official Supporters: Spanopoulos Group, Poseidonia, Handy Chart, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, Pylos Poems, Aegean Naturals AKTAIA Sea Crystals, Sealink Navigation, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mist, Mykonos Luxury, Ergon, Karalis Beach Hotel, Athi Rodi, Dimiourgies, Boo Productions
Communication Sponsor: Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide