Livanos to be Remembered at World Maritime Day Event

The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) will posthumously honor George P. Livanos; and his protégés will pay tribute to their mentor at the first North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) Awards Dinner being held in conjunction with the 2008 World Maritime Day Observance on October 23rd.  George P. Livanos was the founder of the MEPA Movement just over 25 years ago.

George P. Livanos (1926-1997) was born in . During World War II, he served in the American army in .  In 1946, he received a degree in economics from the of and in 1949 founded his own company, Ceres Hellenic Shipping Enterprises, Ltd. of .  George P. Livanos managed virtually every facet of his shipping empire; and, with over 100 ships, had the largest Greek-owned fleet at that time.  He was passionately involved in the protection of ocean and coastal waters throughout the world, which included the creation of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA), the precursor to the nearly 10 MEPA’s which exist internationally today, including the one year old NAMEPA.

Three of his protégés will join together on October 23rd to sponsor the dinner and honor his contributions to their careers and, to a much greater extent, the worldwide commercial maritime industry.  Nick Fistes of GrandUnion/NewFront, Nicholas Livanos of Kyla Shipping and Christopher Bastis of SeaGroup will offer their reflections of the man and his profound influence.

Joining the sponsors will be Dimitris Mitsatsos, Executive Secretary of HELMEPA, who was at Mr. Livanos’ side from the beginning of HELMEPA; and who will be sharing his memories of him.

A lifetime achievement award will be presented by NAMEPA to the family of George P. Livanos.

The NAMEPA Environment Awards Dinner is being held at the Union League Club in on October 23rd.  For table reservations and information, contact [email protected].