By Margarita Vartholomeou

The Lloyd's Award "Personality of the Year 2009" was bestowed on MIG president Andreas Vgenopoulos for his investments in Greek coastal shipping with Superfast and Blue Star Ferries and for his Marfin Bank's enhancement of its shipping portfolio.

The "Greek Shipping Newsmaker" Award went to ship owner Victor Restis and the "Lifetime Achievement" Award to captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos, founder of TEMES S.A. and chairman of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Agency (HELMEPA).

Meanwhile, The Lloyd's List Global Award for an Amver-Assisted Rescue at Sea was presented to Arcadia Hellas Shipmanagement's motor tanker Aegean Angel for the April 2008 rescue of 11 distressed mariners aboard a life raft after their vessel sank 300 miles south of Puerto Rico.

The Lloyd's List Global Award for Newsmaker of the Year was presented to Navios Maritime Holding chairman and CEO Angeliki Frangou at the London ceremony.

The award Shipbroker of the year went to Golden Destiny. Also the National Bank of Greece was honored as the best “Shipping Financier Bank” for shipping investments in 2010.