Dimitri Fank Saracakis, CEO (left) and Spyros N. Vlassopoulos, Managing Director (right) of Ionic
〆 IONIC: Upholding High Safety Standards and Ethical Practices. The company owns 19 tankers and bulk carriers built in Japanese shipyards with one new building on order at the Japanese Shipyard.
IONIC (headquartered in Athens) is a family-run Greek shipowner with a long-standing tradition, established in 2009. Since its inception, IONIC has consistently focused on owning and operating a fleet of high-quality, modern ships. Currently, the company operates a total of 19 vessels, including tankers and bulk carriers that are all built exclusively in Japanese shipyards. Additionally, one new vessel is on order, underlining the company’s philosophy of owning and operating ships all built in Japan. IONIC applies “tanker management standards” not only to its tankers but also to its bulk carriers, providing high safety and exceptional service to shippers and operators. We spoke with Dimitri Frank Saracakis CEO of IOINC and Spyros N. Vlassopoulos Managing Director of IONIC about the current state of the company and its future business strategies, as the company continues to offer high-value maritime transportation solutions to end-users.
（Interviewer: Hirofumi Yamamoto）
Photo courtesy, IONIC
■Ionic’s Policy and Shipbuilding Perspective
JMD: First, I’d like to ask about Ionic’s policy.
IONIC: “Ionic’s vessels are of the highest quality, prioritizing fuel efficiency and compliance with new regulations. Our entire fleet operates under top-tier technical maintenance standards to minimize downtime and the risk of maritime accidents. Our policy extends to safety, health, quality, and environmental responsibility throughout the organization. Our high ethical standards have always been and continue to be our core values, and we take pride in achieving these standards.”
JMD: The price of new ships is skyrocketing. Do you think the current prices will become the new standard?
IONIC: “That’s a question everyone in the global shipping industry would like to know the answer to. The current surge in new ship prices is driven by several strong factors. We consider it uncertain whether these prices will become the new standard. Much depends on resolving supply chain issues, global demand trends, regulatory developments, and technological advancements.”
“The conditions driving the price surge could lead to high prices becoming entrenched. On the other hand, if these factors stabilize or reverse, prices are likely to adjust accordingly. Therefore, while current prices could become the new norm, there is also a possibility of future adjustments. Our responsibility is to maintain our shareholders’ investments without taking speculative and high-risk gambles.
However, we are confident that, when the time comes, we will continue ordering new building vessels.
We have and continue to be vivid believers of Japanese shipyards and as such hope to return to Japanese shipyards as long as they maintain their competitiveness in building high-quality vessels.”
■Which new fuel should be selected?
JMD: When considering orders for new ships, how do you incorporate new fuels (ammonia, green methanol, etc.) into your considerations?
IONIC： “It is crucial to consider new fuels and fuel-saving measures when ordering new ships. This is because the choice of new fuels involves evolving regulatory environments, market demand for more environmentally friendly solutions, economic considerations, technological advancements, and risk management. While this may entail higher initial costs and complexity, the potential benefits in terms of compliance, market competitiveness, and future viability are significant. Shipowners and operators must carefully evaluate and consider the use of alternative fuels in their new ship decisions. However, in today’s rapidly changing landscape, this is a very challenging task.”
JMD: Your company has introduced MarCoPay, the electronic currency platform of the NYK Group.
IONIC: “The MarCoPay electronic money service, specifically designed for seafarers, has revolutionized the way financial transactions are conducted. Seafarers can easily manage their finances from anywhere in the world, even while sailing on the high seas. Ionic highly values the competitive interest rates and the comprehensive financial services offered by MarCoPay, including loans, insurance, and investment products. This allows seafarers to fully leverage the benefits of digital financial solutions without bearing significant costs.”
JMD: How would you like to build relationships with Japanese maritime stakeholders such as Japanese shipping companies, shipowners, regional banks, and trading companies in the future?
IONIC: “Ionic is extremely proud of its deep-rooted connections with the Japanese community, which date back to before the company’s founding. While our company was established in 2009 as a family business, we have built strong business relationships with Japanese firms going back to 1959. The profile and growth of our entire fleet have been achieved through partnerships with many highly reputable Japanese companies, including shipbuilders, financial institutions, and shipowners.”
“We value this immensely and intend to maintain these relationships for many years to come. We hold the highest respect for Japanese ingenuity, engineering, and quality control, which is why we are committed to ships built by Japanese shipyards. We believe this commitment will continue into the future.”
〆ギリシャ船主アイオニックCEO ディミトリ・フランク・サラカキス氏、マネージング・ディレクター スピロス・N・ヴラソポウロス氏。タンカー安全基準 BC適用
ギリシャ船主アイオニック（IONIC、本社アテネ）は、2009年に設立された伝統を持つ家族経営の船主会社だ。設立以来、高品質で近代的な船舶の所有と運航に一貫して注力してきた。現在、同社は日本の造船所で建造されたタンカー、バルクキャリアを含む合計19隻の船舶を運航する。アイオニックの現状と将来のビジネス戦略について、ディミトリ・フランク・サラカキスCEO（最高経営責任者）と、マネージング・ディレクターのスピロス・N・ヴラソポウロス氏にインタビューした。
（聞き手 山本裕史）