By Antonis Tsimplakis

COSCO Shipping and Costamare are marking 20 years of cooperation, commemorating the anniversary of the naming ceremony of the container ship COSCO Hellas.

In a social media post, COSCO Shipping Europe recalled how the partnership began with an unconventional agreement between the late Costamare founder Vassilis Constantakopoulos and then-COSCO Shipping Europe Chairman Wang Mingfeng, who reportedly sealed their deal on a paper napkin. The story has since become a symbol of mutual trust, integrity and a long-standing business relationship between the two companies.

To mark the anniversary, COSCO Shipping Europe released a documentary featuring a rare interview with Costamare Chief Executive Kostis Constantakopoulos, archival footage from the COSCO Hellas naming ceremony and a speech by the company’s late founder, Vassilis Constantakopoulos.

At the same time, the Group’s Genesis Project, led by Melina Travlos, has reached another milestone as part of the company’s strategy to modernise its fleet and strengthen its presence in the vehicle carrier market.

At the Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding shipyard in China, the vessel designated MW467-2 was launched, while construction of MW468-3 officially began with a keel-laying ceremony.

According to the company, each milestone brings the delivery of Neptune’s next-generation LNG dual-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) closer. The vessels are designed to provide more efficient and environmentally friendly short sea vehicle transport.

Once completed, the expanded Genesis Project will comprise a total of six state-of-the-art vessels, strengthening Neptune’s fleet and supporting its transition to greener maritime transport.