In Memory of Andreas Potamianos

Andreas Potamianos, one of Greece’s most prominent shipping magnates, passed away at the age of 88 on Friday, July 30.

Born in Piraeus to a family of shipowners in 1933, Potamianos studied law at the University of Athens and did postgraduate studies in Maritime Law at the London School of Economics.

He was chairman of the Greek Shipowners Association for Passenger Ships (SEEN) for 22 years, from 1980 to 2002.

Andreas Potamianos. Photo source: SEEN

Potamianos also chaired the Greek-Chinese Association, the Special Olympics of Greece and the Yacht Club of Greece. He was a member of the committee that made the bid for the 2004 Olympic Games. Moreover, he further served on the boards of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and Helmepa (Hellenic Association for the Protection of the Marine Environment).

He had been honored by the Greek government, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Tourism Organization.

In an announcement, SEEN expressed the association’s deep sorrow for the loss of Potamianos.

“Andreas Potamianos was a special person, a valuable friend and a leading figure of Greek passenger shipping and especially of the cruise sector, in the development of which he played an important and decisive role,” SEEN said.

The Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), on behalf of its board of directors, INSETE and Marketing Greece, expressed condolences in a statement, also underlining that Potamianos played an important role in the cruise sector.

“Andreas Potamianos was an emblematic figure in the field of passenger shipping, leading and writing history in the Greek cruise sector. His Greek-flagged cruise ships have reached the farthest corners of the earth, attracting visitors from Europe and the USA, thus paving the way for the evolution and development of the industry in the coming decades. Andreas Potamianos will forever be remembered by all of us for his insight, determination and love for our country,” SETE said.

On his part, Greek Shipping Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis said that Potamianos was one of the pioneer founders of modern Greek shipping.

His funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 4, at 11am at the First Cemetery of Athens.

We, at GTP, express our sincere condolences to his family.