Leon Shipping & Trading SA, is a company that was established in July of 2010, by Panos Efthimiadis, after he stepped down from his role as General Manager of his family owned shipping company, Lotus Shipping Co. Ltd., with a view to start his own venture.
The initial chemical shipping business was created by Capt. Pantelis Efthimiadis with the establishment of Lotus Shipping Co. Ltd., in 1986, one of the oldest companies in the Greek chemical shipping industry with more than 40 years’ experience in the shipping sector. Capt. Pantelis Efthimiadis, a sea-going captain for many years in his early career, became a co-founder of the Tsakos Shipping and Trading SA in 1970 and he remained there as General Manager, a Member of the Board of Directors and a shareholder for 16 years.
Panos Efthimiadis, son of Cpt Pantelis Efthymiadis is a holder of an MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Manhattan College in New York. He has considerable sea-going experience and has attained a 1st Engineer license.
He has worked as a Superintendent Engineer and Assistant to the Technical Manager of Tsakos Shipping & Trading SA in his early career and after being involved in all activities within the company, became senior advisor to the management team of that company.
After leaving Tsakos, in the fullness of time, he became Technical Manager of Lotus Shipping Co. Ltd. and later, General Manager a post he held until his recent departure from the company. During his over 25 years’ of service with the Company except his ordinary operational duties he held positions of responsibility such sale and acquisition & new constructions projects. During this period the company has purchased, operated and sold more than 40 vessels of all types. It also ordered, constructed and successfully took delivery of 12 chemical tanker new building vessels from Korean shipyards where he was the one who developed the designs for chemical vessels of 8.800, 10.800, 12.800 and 16.800 DWT. Mr. Panos Efthimiadis still remains a Member of the Board and a shareholder in Lotus Shipping Co. Ltd.
Leon Shipping & Trading SA
At present, he is the Managing Director of Leon Shipping & Trading SA, honorary Director and Vice President of TCM (Tsakos-Columbia Management Company). He is a member of the Korean Register’s Hellenic Committee and a member of the Greek Committee of the Nippon Kaiji Kyokai.
Leon is manned by executives and personnel of many years’ experience in the field, enjoying close relationships with major groups, traders and charterers of the chemical and tanker shipping sector. The company’s mission is to explore new business opportunities and joint ventures on these particular sectors.
