International Propeller Club president Fragoulis visits Washington

The visit of the President of the International Propeller Club and President of Propeller Piraeus, Costis Frangoulis, to Washington from February 22 to February 26 was marked by important high-level contacts and intense institutional symbolism.

He was accompanied by the First Vice President, Dorothea Ioannou, and the Executive Vice President, Admiral Joel Whitehead. The trip highlighted the active and enhanced role of the Organization in the modern international maritime environment, through a series of substantive meetings and contacts.

During his stay in the US capital, Costis Frangoulis met and exchanged views with leading representatives of institutions and maritime organizations in the United States.

These meetings provided the opportunity for substantive dialogue on the challenges and prospects of global shipping, as well as for further strengthening the strategic cooperation between the United States, Greece and other countries, highlighting the role of the International Propeller Club as a meeting point and coordination of the international shipping community.

During his four-day stay in Washington, the President of the International Propeller attended the event organized on February 25 by the US Department of Transportation, on the occasion of the important signing of the agreement between Onex Shipyards and Technologies and Hanwha Power Systems.

In the presence of US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle and Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, the strategic nature of the trilateral cooperation between the United States, Greece and South Korea in the field of shipbuilding was highlighted.

On the sidelines of the event, Frangoulis held a series of contacts with representatives of the Greek and American governments, industry and the energy community, including Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis, Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas, Special Envoy for Global Energy Integration Joshua Volz and Alex Wong Global CSO of Hanwha.

Later that day, a DC Propeller Club event was held in the Gold Room of Rayburn House, on Capitol Hill. Fragoulis’ speech at the event was particularly significant, as it was his first in the United States after assuming his Presidency, and in a particularly symbolic venue, such as Capitol Hill. In his statement, he highlighted the historical and international character of the Organization.

“The Propeller Club was born in the United States. Its heritage and foundations are American, but its community – just like shipping – is deeply international. And this international dimension is not symbolic. It is substantial and fundamental.”

He also underlined the importance of Greek-American cooperation in the shipping sector.