Team
Andreas Zontanos, Naval Architect and Marine Engineer, NTUA
Andreas Zontanos, one of the four founders of Argo Navis Ltd., graduated from the National Technical University of Athens (School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering). He holds a M.Sc. Degree in Precision Engineering Metrology by Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK.
Since the end of 2004, he has worked as an independent engineer and conducted pre-purchase surveys of bulk carriers and tanker vessels, led two (2) dry-docks and extensive repair works as Superintendent Engineer, acted as on-site observer for one (1) Handymax DWT 55500 Bulk Carrier built by Nantong COSCO – KAWASAKI HI Shipyard – “NACKS” (resale agreement, Sep 2005 – Jan 2006) and participated in Technical Specification appraisals and negotiations and plan approval of new buildings, as well as attended sea trials. He has also participated in single to double hull tanker conversions, VLCC to VLOC conversion designs, and development of construction and outfitting drawings. He undertook the supervision of parts of the conversion works which was in co-operation with THETA Maritime (Hull experts and Marine Consultants).
Previously to these accomplishments, he has led the On-site Supervision Team for three (3) Handymax DWT 52000 Bulk Carriers built by BRODOSPLIT SHIPYARD, Split, CROATIA (Nov2000 – Jun2003), while participating in the plan approval process of the project. For a period of about five (5) years, he held the position of Superintendent Engineer at J.G.GOUMAS (Shipping) Co. S.A. and John J. Rigos Marine Enterprises S.A. Here he supervised cargo and bulk carrier ship dry-docking and repairs, with approximately a dozen docking and repairs during his employment with the companies.
Finally, Andreas Zontanos has developed and implemented Quality and Safety Systems, in compliance with ISO 9002 and ISM Code, for various shipping Companies while working with a Piraeus based consulting firm (1995-1998).
Andreas Kokkotos, Mechanical Engineer, NTUA
Andreas Kokkotos, one of the founders of Argo Navis Ltd., graduated from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece (School of Mechanical Engineering).
He started his career in 1998 at the European Navigation Inc., Tankers Department (with a fleet of 18 tankers, up to VLCC's) as an Assistant Superintendent Engineer. He attended dry dockings and ship repairs in various shipyards worldwide.
From March 2000, he worked as Supervisor at European Navigation Inc., and later at European Product Carriers Ltd. at Split Site Office, Brodosplit Shipyard in Croatia. he was Supervisor of the Company's new building series which consisted of five (5) oil and product chemical carriers, dwt 45000 mt. He performed inspections for the hull, outfitting and machinery equipment, and participated in the plan appoval of machinery and electrical drawings for the new series of ships which consisted of three (3) oil and product carriers, dwt 95000 mt. He also participated in the design and development of planned maintenance systems for these vessels. During that time he gained six (6) months of sea going experience at new buildings' maiden voyages.
From September 2003 until July 2005, he worked as a Superintendent Engineer, for Ancora Investment Trust Inc., where he supervised various types of vessels from 5,000 DWT chemical tankers to a 100,000 DWT OBO. From September of 2005, he worked as an independent Engineer where he conducted pre-purchase survey and vessel condition surveys of tankers, bulk carriers and LPGs, ownership change over surveys, claims, machinery damages, casualties, and sea trial attendances. He also led dry dock and repairs of one bulk carrier as a Superintendent Engineer, and participated in the technical management of one bulk carrier.
Finally, he participated in single to double hull tanker conversions and VLCC to VLOC conversion design and development of machinery and electrical equipment drawings, as well as Technical Specification appraisals, negotiations, and Plan Approvals of various projects, mainly consiting of bulk carriers.
Aggeliki Tsopela, Naval Architect and Marine Engineer, NTUA
Aggeliki Tsopela, one of the founders of Argo Navis Ltd., graduated from the National Technical University of Athens (School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering). She has participated in research projects at the Faculty’s Hydrodynamics laboratory.
Having worked for more than ten (10) years for a Piraeus based consulting firm, she was in charge of ship damage stability emergency response services, conducting stability and strength studies, developing Trim and Stability, Cargo Securing, Ballast Management, and other documentation on the ship’s stability, strength and operation field.
Aggeliki Tsopela has also participated in the hull and outfitting of building drawing appraisals for numerous new building projects, while managing plan appraisal correspondence and on-site team technical documentation support.
Nikos Kourakos, Mechanical Engineer, NTUA
Nikos Kourakos, also a founder of Argo Navis Ltd., graduated from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece (School of Mechanical Engineering). He attended a full-time Engineering Business Management course at the University Of Warwick (U.K.), which led to an MSc with distinction. He has also attended technical seminars (TEE, Society of Greek Mechanical Engineers, Ministry of Transport- ADR).
He is specialized in Safety and Security instillations, project planning, and Risk Management and Assessment. He works as an Independent Engineering Consultant and has participated in several projects including construction of houses, retail facilities, industrial sites, renovation of fuel depots and refineries, where he was the acting Project Manager for the mechanical & electrical divisions of the project.
Byron Coen, Mechanical Engineer (Dipl. Ing.)
Byron Coen graduated from the Technical University of Munich (Diplom Ingineur in Mechanical Engineer).
He has worked for more than twelve (12) years for a Piraeus based bulk carriers’ management firm, as Manager of the Technical Department. He has also participated in bulk carriers’ new building projects while holding the above position, acting as Project Manager. Byron Coen has held the position of Share Holder, Technical Manager and Superintendent Engineer in various ship management firms, starting with the position of Marine Superintendent at the Onassis Group’s Olympic Maritime.
