Interview between Adonis Violaris of CSN and Andreas Ioannou, owner and Chairman of Epsco Group.
Could you please introduce yourself and provide a brief overview of your role at EPSCO Group?
My name is Andreas Ioannou, owner and Chairman of Epsco Group which in January 2025 will be 30 years old. I’m responsible for a team of 30 people here in Limassol and at our offices in Hamburg and Singapore as well as our service facilities and sales office in the Netherlands.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the maritime industry, and how has your journey led you to EPSCO?
I have always had a great love for shipping and when I moved to Cyprus from London in 1987, I got involved with marine coatings. That lead to a position with a major ship supplier. However I was not comfortable with the corporate environment and felt that sales were being prioritized over good service. My ethos has always been to offer better service and provide solutions rather than selling a product.
So in January 1995 I started Epsco with a tiny office, a PC and a fax machine and started knocking on doors. It took a long time to gain the trust of our customers, but the majority of them are still with us today.
Can you describe EPSCO Group and its core focus within the maritime industry?
Our core focus is marine safety, i.e. the annual and bi annual inspection and certification of all safety related equipment on board a vessel as well as supply of safety equipment and stores globally.
In addition we offer a number of peripheral services; in water services, gas detection, technical equipment, and spares.
What sets EPSCO apart from other companies in the maritime sector?
We are still a small proactive team and our emphasis is on providing solutions, not sales. Personal contact with our customers is key to us.
EPSCO was one of the first companies to introduce the concept of fleet safety agreements in the early 2000’s, and it was born out of a desire to simplify safety services and give the customer one price anywhere in the world which allows them to budget effectively and at the same time harmonize all their certification by having all services carried out in as few calls as possible.
Our Global Fleet Safety Agreements are kept simple and there is no small print.
How does EPSCO contribute to maritime safety, and what role does technology play in your operations?
As mentioned above, our fleet agreements have simplified the process for our customers. They may be landing the BA Sets for inspection in one port, the fire extinguishers in another, and the CO2 inspection in another and so on. This all costs money, not only in price, transport and overtime costs but in the time they spend getting these services arranged when they could be doing something else.
We have taken away that headache for them and this allows them to concentrate on other matters.
Our senior personnel are in constant communication with manufacturers and developers of safety products for new innovative products. We hope to have a couple of major developments to market in the new year.
We have invested heavily on improving and automating our management systems that gives us a complete picture of customer preferences and buying trends to assess their needs.
As well as this, our management systems enable us to handle all service reminders and maintain all certificates on our customers’ behalf. We give them access to all this through our own secure servers where they can view service dates, what services we have carried out for them and where and view and download certificates anytime they want.
Can you discuss any recent advancements or innovations that EPSCO has implemented to enhance safety and efficiency in the maritime industry?
We are discussing new advancements with industry colleagues for firefighting systems, especially for car carriers in relation to EVs but I am not able to give details on that just yet.
We are also heavily invested in providing services and products that enhance efficiency and protect the marine environment. Over the last year we have had great success working with a UK company, Sonihull Ultrasonic Anti Fouling whose ultrasonic systems not only reduce fuel consumption and reduce GHG emissions, but are 100% green and prevent the carriage of invasive species.
As of first January 2026, the use of firefighting foams containing perfluoro-octane sulphonic acid (PFOS) to be used or stored on board as part of ships’ fire-fighting systems will be prohibited under MSC.530(107) amending Solas chapter II-2 and resolutions MSC534(07) & MSC.535(107).
We have teamed up with an industry leader to offer decontamination of foam tanks, disposal of the old foam and supply of new advanced foams.
What are the main challenges facing the maritime industry today, and how is EPSCO addressing these issues?
There are a number of challenges, especially the current geopolitical climate. These tensions obviously impact global trade and maritime operations.
We do our best to stay one step ahead by closely monitoring those developments and adapting to them.
The maritime industry is highly regulated, and those regulations are constantly evolving. We stay updated on the latest maritime regulations, ensuring our services and solutions are always compliant. We have implemented robust compliance management systems to monitor and manage regulatory requirements efficiently.
The increasing digitalization of maritime operations makes the industry vulnerable to cyberattacks, which can compromise safety and operational efficiency. Our company conducts regular penetration tests on our own systems to ensure our systems are free from attack.
Another challenge is staying competitive with constantly rising costs, We endeavour to remain as cost effective as possible by continually improving our processes to enhance our efficiency.
However, there is a value to the service we provide. We refuse to compromise or cut corners on the quality of our services and whilst we do our best to be competitive, we do not claim, nor do we want to be the cheapest.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the maritime industry, and what measures has EPSCO taken to adapt?
The COVID-19 pandemic clearly caused significant disruption to the maritime industry, causing delays in shipping, port closures, and labour shortages. Global supply chains were strained due to reduced cargo handling capacity and fluctuating demand. Crew changes became challenging due to travel restrictions, leading to mental and physical strain on seafarers. However, the pandemic also accelerated the adoption of digital technologies and automation in the industry.
From our point of view, it lead us into our major investment in our management systems, the introduction of flexible hours and remote working.
How is EPSCO committed to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of maritime operations?
Our company is committed to reducing our environmental footprint.
One of our key goals is to achieve a zero-waste operation, further reducing our carbon footprint.
Additionally, a major part of this effort involves partnering with suppliers who also prioritize sustainability. By choosing eco-friendly packaging and encouraging a circular economy, We and our suppliers work together to minimize waste and tackle issues like plastic pollution and climate change.
Can you provide examples of any green initiatives or technologies that EPSCO is implementing?
We have implemented a range of green practices, including a target of becoming paperless, boosting energy efficiency, expanding recycling programs, and cutting down on carbon emissions with mild hybrid company cars. Since the pandemic, we have limited our travelling as much as possible by holding online meetings rather than getting on a plane except where absolutely necessary.
As mentioned earlier our partnership with Sonihull and our new colleagues involved in decontamination of foam tanks illustrates the direction we are taking.
How does EPSCO manage its global operations, and what are some of the key markets you operate in?
Each office is responsible for its own area but with centralized management conducted from Cyprus. Key markets are therefore Cyprus, Germany Netherlands and Singapore, but we now have many customers around the world and of course our services are global.
What are the challenges of operating in different regions, and how do you ensure compliance with international maritime regulations?
For sure there are many challenges, varying local laws, environmental regulations, port requirements and restrictions, and geopolitical risks.
Ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations involves constantly staying up-to-date with ever changing and evolving regulations, as well as conducting regular audits of our service partners approvals and capabilities.
Having said that, I believe we have it down to a fine art after 30 years.
What are EPSCO’s long-term goals for the maritime industry?
Our goal is to constantly improve what we do, and our plan is to open more of our own servicing facilities in other regions over the next few years, which will give us even tighter control of the quality of service we provide. This has been proven in the huge success of our station in Rotterdam over the last four years.
How do you envision the role of technology shaping the future of maritime operations?
As a company our main focus will be on teaming up with partners that offer innovative and sustainable new technologies to improve safety on board and integrate into our service and supply offering to set us apart from our competitors.
More generally, I believe that technology will play a transformative role in the future of maritime operations by driving automation, enhancing safety, and improving efficiency. Innovations such as autonomous ships, advanced navigation systems, blockchain for secure logistics, and AI-powered data analytics will optimize route planning, fuel usage, and cargo handling. Digitalization will streamline operations, while green technologies like cleaner fuels and energy-efficient designs will support sustainability goals in the maritime industry.
How important are collaborations and partnerships in the maritime industry, and what kind of partnerships has EPSCO formed?
We should all be working towards a common goal and that is to make the industry more efficient, greener and most importantly from my point of view, safer. So collaborations and partnerships are hugely important.
Can you share any success stories or significant projects where these partnerships have made a notable impact?
I mentioned earlier our partnership with Sonihull. We have supplied over 23 ultrasonic systems in the last year. In our own small way, we are striving to help make our seas cleaner by installing these systems on customer vessels.
What advice would you give to young professionals looking to enter the maritime industry?
My advice would be to focus on gaining strong technical skills. Embrace new technologies like automation and digitalization. Networking and continuously learning about global trade and environmental regulations are crucial. Also, develop problem-solving abilities and a safety-first mindset, as these are essential in this dynamic and evolving field.
How can industry professionals stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in the maritime sector?
I would say by forming a good network of key contacts, attending industry conferences, joining professional organizations, subscribing to maritime publications, and participating in training and certification programs. Engaging in online forums, webinars, and networking with peers also helps to keep pace with the latest innovations like automation, sustainability practices, and regulatory changes.
What are you most excited about regarding the future of EPSCO and the maritime industry?
What I’m most excited about are the opportunities that new technologies and trends that will move EPSCO forward in new directions. For the maritime industry, greater safety standards, better care of seafarers and cleaner seas.
