Nobel Prize-winner Odysseus Elytis once said that “if you deconstruct Greece, you will, in the end, see an olive tree, a grapevine and a boat remain”, given that Greece has long purported to be a nation of seafarers.

Despite this fact, however, little seems to be widely known about the actual facts relating to Hellenic shipping.

While it is often said that the Greek shipping fleet is the largest in the world, do we know that this is really true? For a country of just 11 million people – meaning 0.15 per cent of the world’s population – how have they managed to control approximately 16 per cent of global cargo tonnage?

And not only that, but despite the economic depression Greece is experiencing today, its shipping industry is still in a leading position on the global stage and going from strength to strength.

Industry specialist and academic George Vrakas will address these questions and more during his lecture at the Greek Centre on Thursday 8 September.

A graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy of Aspropyrgos Greece, he has an MBA specialising in international supply chain management and applied economics from Victoria University.

George Vrakas

His 22 years of industry expertise covers a variety of positions, ranging from travelling around the world on Lyras and Latsis oil tankers as a navigation officer (Captain Class C), as a procurement and operations manager for ANL Container Line in Melbourne procuring vessel chartering, port services, road and rail transport, to now working for Patrick Ports and Terminals at The National Operations Centre in Melbourne, ensuring the delivery of best practice contract and relationship management levels of service.

He is also the author of industry-themed blog www.georgevrakas.com and has had articles published in various industry publications.

George Vrakas’ lecture will take place on Thursday 8 September at the Greek Centre, mezzanine level, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC at 7.00 pm.