Konstantinos Avtzigiannis

Can you describe the substance of the course you are teaching? What are those points that a student should pay special attention to?   

The subject, that I am focused on is RULES & REGULATIONS IN THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY”. Shipping as a business sector is probably the most heavily regulated sector on earth and this trend is certain to continue.
The essence of the subject is to cover as far as practicable the wide range of the existing and the forthcoming regulatory framework, within which, ship management companies and merchant ships have to operate. To this effect the sources from where rules and regulations emanate are presented, explained and analysed to a certain extent.
As the introduction of new regulations from various ends is a very dynamic process, students should appreciate the existing background and regulations adoption processes and then give particular attention to the anticipated / scheduled developments in the new and/or forthcoming regulations.

In what sectors of the labour market and specializations can the graduates of the program work at large?

A graduate of the program may be employed in various positions, depending on his/her previous background.
Persons with business administration / law / management studies / background should be able to find interesting opportunities in Safety / Purchasing / Legal / Chartering Departments of Shipping Companies.
Persons with seagoing officers’ certificates (bridge/deck or engine) should be able to find interesting opportunities in Safety / Purchasing / Operations / Technical / Marine Departments of Shipping Companies.
In general graduates of the program might also be employed in companies, engaged in services provision for shipping companies (store & provisions suppliers, spare parts suppliers, P+I Clubs, H+M Insurance Companies, Chartering / S+P Brokers, Consulting Companies, Classification Societies).
It is stressed though that in all cases, proper acquaintances and even more importantly family connections with shipping are essential especially at the beginning of a person’s career.

What advice would you give to your graduate students regarding their professional future?

From personal experience I would advise as follows:
A graduate of the program should be very patient at the initial stages of his/her professional career. Indeed he/she should be prepared to be employed in positions well below his/her capabilities and qualifications. On the other hand, a young professional in the shipping sector should be prepared to change jobs without em0tional reservations if the proper opportunities arise. Actually, frequent job changes always are connected with salary increases. Furthermore, as shipping is a truly global business sector young professional should be able to work in any place of the world regardless of how attractive this place may appear.
It should also be remembered that no one can be offered a managerial position from the beginning.

Which the most outstanding piece of news in your industry in the last two years?

From personal experience I would advise as follows:
A graduate of the program should be very patient at the initial stages of his/her professional career. Indeed he/she should be prepared to be employed in positions well below his/her capabilities and qualifications. On the other hand, a young professional in the shipping sector should be prepared to change jobs without em0tional reservations if the proper opportunities arise. Actually, frequent job changes always are connected with salary increases. Furthermore, as shipping is a truly global business sector young professional should be able to work in any place of the world regardless of how attractive this place may appear.
It should also be remembered that no one can be offered a managerial position from the beginning.

How did the pandemic affect your industry;

Covid-19 impact notwithstanding, the environmental protection related legislation, introduced from 2020 seems to be the most important development. Conventions and regionally established regulations like:
BALLAST WATER TREATMENT MANAGEMENT CONVENTION
MRV (EUROPEAN UNION REGULATION)
IMO 2020
INVENTORY OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
IMO DCS
Are some of the most important news introduced and about to change the nature of merchant shipping in the years to come.