Armonia Trading & Commercial Applications Limited is a new company in the maritime sector, established during the uncertain times of the covid pandemic.
The company focuses on its customers. Armonia started with an adequate portfolio of collaborations and representations which has been growing at a satisfactory pace, aiming to provide products and services of the highest standards
to the Greek Shipping Companies. An interesting interview with Ms Aikaterini Tsoutsoura Director Armonia Trading & Commercial Applications Limited, follows:
How and when did Armonia’s idea start and how is its portfolio being shaped today?
Armonia Trading & Commercial Applications Limited is a new company in the maritime sector, established during the uncertain times of the covid pandemic. The owners are experienced professionals in the field, who, having a vision and seeing prospects in the Greek market, decided to establish the company despite the difficult inter- national situation, expecting a rapid normalization of the international market. We have started with an adequate portfolio of collaborations and representations which has been growing at a satisfactory pace, aiming to provide products and services of the highest standards to the Greek Shipping Companies.
In what ways do you believe that you build mutually beneficial relationship and long-term collaboration with your principals?
We choose our collaborations based on the same ethical principles that should govern the serious professionals who want to make the difference in their field. If you value what you do and respect your work and your target is the essential offer to the customer, who always comes first, then the appropriate conditions are created for long-term and mutually beneficial collaborations.
What makes your customers to talk about trust and reliability when they talk about their partnership with Armonia?
Our focus is on the customer. Our partners, principals & suppliers share our vision to establish long term relations with our customers. This is not an easy task. You need to prove on daily basis your dedication so that the customers think of trust and reliability when they think of you.
How difficult is to provide the local shipping industry with high quality level of products and services accompanied with timely deliveries and competitive prices?
When you are customer oriented, you know that customer satisfaction is the only way for a company to succeed. In our field,
high quality products and services, competitive prices and timely deliveries are a must, and we always try to secure the conditions
to provide exactly that. From a certain perspective, this is indeed difficult, mainly because it is beyond one’s control. Considering the many and serious obstacles the shipping industry had to overcome & in some cases is still facing, i.e., the international economic recession, the covid pandemic effects in raw material shortage, staff shortages, travelling prohibitions, etc., recently the Russia-Ukraine War, it takes a lot of hard work to always be the reliable and effective partner that the client requires. In Armonia we take a lot of pride in achieving excellent customer support and also for our commitment to customer satisfaction, supported of course by our valuable principals and partners.
Do you think that in the coming years the shipping industry will experience better days? What opportunities and what threats do you think will be presented?
In the coming years the shipping industry will definitely experience challenging days. A fast increase in the number of vessels is expected which will ease the ships availability problem and will lower the freight rates. The supply-demand balance will be restored in the coming years, provided that we will not face another global crisis like the covid pandemic. The shipping industry will provide opportunities to sea farers for improved working environment in modern ships. New opportunities will arise through new, cutting-edge technologies, like the Emission Monitoring Tools.
Do you believe that groundbreaking innovations based on cutting-edge technologies will transform shipping industry and are going to work for the benefit of the global economy? Shipping emission reductions are in the spotlight and are increasingly the concern of the whole shipping industry. Do you think that the goals set for 2030 and 2050 are achievable?
As of January 1st, 2023, the maritime community must comply with the decarbonization regulatory requirements set by IMO and the European Union. The European Commission has adopted the concept that the maritime industry needs to invest in alternative fuels that have lower environmental footprint. New, cutting-edge technologies arise, working for the benefit of the global economy. During Posidonia Exhibition we will witness the launching of new software products that will monitor the emissions, according to IMO & EU regulations. The goals set for 2030 & 2050 seem achievable.
* Director of Armonia Trading & Commercial Applications Limited