With a clear message of gratitude from the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to Greek shipping companies that stand on the front line of saving human lives at sea, this year’s 33rd AMVER Awards ceremony opened. The American President, through the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, thanked Greek companies and their crews for their professionalism, self-sacrifice, and deep maritime conscience, which turn the strength of Greek shipping into an act of humanitarianism.

Emphasizing navigational safety, volunteerism, and the shared values that unite Greece and the United States, Kimberly Guilfoyle, in her speech, referred to the decisive role of shipping in everyday life, noting that approximately 90% of goods in the developed world are transported by sea. As she stated, from fishermen and cargo ships to passenger vessels and cruise ships, the sea constitutes a fundamental pillar of the modern way of life, without ceasing to conceal dangers.

Within this context, as she explained, the AMVER program was created, operating “quietly” but extremely effectively, based on the voluntary participation of ships and the maritime tradition of providing assistance to anyone in danger. Through the reporting of ship positions, there is created— as she characteristically said— a “floating neighborhood of solidarity” on a global scale.

The results are impressive: tens of thousands of lives have been saved from 1958 to the present day, with more than 7,000 ships available at any given moment. She made special reference to Greece, emphasizing that it is historically a maritime power and that Greek ships have been actively participating in AMVER for nearly 70 years. She did not fail, moreover, to humorously refer to Odysseus, saying that his journeys would have been different if AMVER had existed at that time.

According to the data presented, Greece holds a world record with 1,613 AMVER awards, almost double that of the second country, confirming its leading role in international maritime safety.

Particular weight was given to the reference to the data of 2025. As emphasized by the President of the Propeller Club Port of Piraeus as well as of the International Propeller Club, Kostis Fragkoulis, during the year 12 Greek-owned vessels participated in search and rescue operations, directly contributing to the rescue of 97 shipwrecked persons: “This is the real meaning of the AMVER system. This is the real strength of Greeks in shipping,” he stated characteristically, stressing that Greece is not merely present on the international shipping scene, but is a protagonist, serving values that unite peoples and strengthen international cooperation. AMVER stands as a living proof that Greek shipping is not limited to its economic strength, but transforms it daily into an act of humanitarianism. As he emphasized, 1,836 ships from 193 Greek shipping companies actively participate in the program, proving that for Greeks of the sea, the protection of human life is a timeless value and not an obligation. “AMVER is not simply a system, it is a way of life,” he noted, underlining that behind every number there are seafarers who act with professionalism, courage, and a sense of responsibility.

The vessels and companies that participated in the rescues are:

STARBULK S.A.:
M/V DUBLIN EAGLE, M/V SHANGHAI EAGLE, M/V KENNADI, M/V MERCURIAL VIRGO

MYKONOS SHIPPING CO LTD:
M/V MARIMYR A

NAVILANDS CONTAINER MANAGEMENT LTD:
M/V LUEBECK, M/V YANTIAN

V. SHIPS GREECE LIMITED:
M/V COSCO HELLAS, M/V ANDROUSA

GLOBUS SHIPMANAGEMENT CORP.:
M/V GLBS HERO

COSTAMARE SHIPPING CO S.A.:
M/V THESEUS

MPP CARRIERS S.A.:
M/V MAMA STRENGTH

Top 10 Greek companies participating in AMVER (1/1/2024 – 31/12/2024):

Angelicoussis Group of Companies – 130
TMS Group of Companies – 109
Capital Ship Management Corporation – 89
Technomar Shipping Inc. – 81
Starbulk S.A. – 75
Laskaridis Shipping Company Limited – 70
Danaos Shipping Company Limited – 64
V. Ships Greece Limited – 63
Tsakos Group – 62
Anglo-Eastern Ship Management (Hellas) Limited – 49

Top participating companies over the decade 2016–2025:

Angelicoussis Group of Companies – 1,027 ships
TMS Group of Companies – 655 ships
Tsakos Group – 624 ships

Closing the event, Kimberly Guilfoyle, on behalf of President Donald Trump, congratulated Greek shipping companies and their crews, underscoring that volunteerism, solidarity, and the protection of human life are shared values that unite Greece and the United States.

This year’s ceremony, under the slogan “HOPEATSEA – Hope at Sea,” confirmed that Greek shipping is not measured only in ships and tonnage, but—above all—in human lives saved, keeping alive the deepest tradition of seamanship.

The idea for the AMVER system officially became a reality on April 15, 1958, through the efforts of the United States Coast Guard and certain representatives of the merchant marine. More than 7,000 lives have been saved by ships participating in the AMVER system from 2000 to the present day, and many of these rescues are due to the selfless and altruistic efforts of seafarers and vessels of Greek interests. More than 11,000 international ships participate in this system.