ATPI Greece marks 50 years at the heart of global crew changes

ATPI Greece is marking its 50th anniversary this month, recognising half a century of supporting the Greek and global shipping community and the growth of its Athens operation into a key hub for ATPI Marine Travel globally.

The Greek office now manages 35% of ATPI’s marine business, with more than 130 dedicated professionals supporting shipping clients across every major maritime time zone. Over its history, ATPI has managed approximately 2.4 million crew changes, supporting the movement of seafarers to and from vessels around the world.

ATPI Greece’s story has developed alongside Greece’s position as one of the world’s leading shipping centres. The heritage behind today’s operation can be traced to a specialist travel business established in the 1970s under the Griffin Travel brand, which expanded over the next 15 years to become a global marine network.

A further significant chapter began in 2015, when ATPI acquired Griffin Travel as part of the group’s expansion in specialist marine travel. The Greece team has since grown to more than 130 professionals and become an important hub within ATPI Marine Travel’s global network.

Nikos Gazelidis, Chief Commercial Officer, ATPI Marine division & Managing Director Greece & Cyprus, said: “Our 50th anniversary reflects a long-standing relationship with the Greek and global shipping community and the expertise built by generations of colleagues. Over that time, the business has grown from its specialist roots in Greece into an operation supporting clients and seafarers around the world.

“Crew change logistics have changed enormously too, from the way journeys are planned and managed to the technology and data now available to support them. What has remained constant is the importance of experienced people who understand shipping and can respond when circumstances change. That combination of heritage, people and continued evolution has shaped the business we have today.”

The team remains firmly embedded in Athens’ maritime community. In 2023, ATPI Marine Travel established the ATPI Crew Logistics Lab at Business College Athens, strengthening links between industry and maritime education with a focus on crew rotation optimisation and seafarer well-being. Its commitment to people is also reflected within the business, with ATPI Greece recognised among Greece’s Best Workplaces in recent years.

The most recent milestone came in 2025, when Direct Travel acquired ATPI, bringing all ATPI offices worldwide, including ATPI Greece, into the Direct Travel group. The acquisition opened a new chapter in the Greece operation’s 50-year story, combining its long-standing marine expertise with the wider global capabilities of Direct Travel.

Christal Bemont, CEO, Direct Travel, said: “50 years serving the shipping community is a significant milestone and reflects the depth of expertise and relationships within ATPI Greece. Athens is an important hub for our global marine business, and we see considerable opportunity to build on that heritage by continuing to bring together exceptional people, specialist knowledge and technology for maritime clients worldwide.”

As ATPI Greece enters its next chapter, it sees its role as continuing to be that of connecting the expertise built within Greece’s shipping community with the needs of an increasingly global maritime sector.