Interview to Dionisis Politis
Interview of Konstantinos Achladitis
Managing Director of Golden Cargo
Please tell us the history of Golden Cargo from its founding until today.
Golden Cargo S.A. is a Greek logistics and freight forwarding company headquartered in Piraeus. Established in 1989, it is a member of the Golden Union Group, a prominent maritime conglomerate in Greece.
In 1993, Golden Cargo joined the Hellmann Worldwide Logistics network, enhancing its global reach and service capabilities.
The company specializes in providing tailored logistics solutions, including air, sea, and road freight services, as well as warehousing and customs clearance. It is particularly noted for its marine logistics services, offering 24/7 operations and dedicated customs clearance agents to ensure efficient delivery of ship spares and marine parts.
Golden Cargo holds the Authorized Economic Operator Full (AEOF) certification, granted in 2015, which recognizes its compliance with customs regulations and security standards.
What services do you offer to Shipping Companies?
Golden Cargo S.A. offers a comprehensive suite of specialized logistics services tailored to the maritime industry. These services are designed to meet the time-sensitive and complex needs of shipping companies, shipyards, ship management firms, and marine spare parts suppliers.
Key Services for Shipping Companies
24/7 Marine Logistics Operations: Golden Cargo provides round-the-clock logistics support, ensuring timely delivery of marine spare parts and equipment to vessels worldwide.
On-Board and Ship-Side Deliveries: The company facilitates direct deliveries to ships, whether docked at port or at off-port limits (OPL), minimizing downtime and ensuring operational efficiency.
Customs Brokerage Services: Golden Cargo offers extensive customs brokerage capabilities, handling import, export, and transshipment processes across strategic maritime gateways and free harbors.
Specialized Handling of Dangerous Goods: The company is fully accredited and experienced in the handling and transportation of IMO/DG goods, adhering to international safety standards.
Warehousing and Inventory Management: Golden Cargo provides local and international warehousing solutions, including stockpiling of replacement parts, with online inventory management systems for real-time tracking.
Charter Services: The company arranges part and full charters for the transportation of oversized or project cargo, offering flexible solutions for unique shipping requirements.
Reverse Logistics: Golden Cargo manages the offloading and return of spare parts from vessels at any call port, ensuring efficient reverse logistics operations.
IT Solutions for Marine Industry: The company offers specialized internet-based portal systems for live information, order tracking, and documentation retrieval, along with extensive databases for vessel particulars and key contacts.
Are these services certified according to international quality assurance standards?
Golden Cargo S.A. provides high-quality logistics services to the maritime industry that are certified and recognized by respected international and governmental organizations.
Specifically, the company holds the following key certifications and credentials:
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System
Golden Cargo is certified under ISO 9001:2015, which ensures:
- A commitment to consistently meeting customer requirements
- Effective process management
- Continuous improvement in service quality.
This certification validates the company’s operational excellence in freight forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing, and ship supply logistics.
AEOF – Authorized Economic Operator Full (EU)
As an AEOF (Authorized Economic Operator – Full) certified company, Golden Cargo benefits from:
- Simplified customs procedures
- Enhanced security and supply chain integrity
- Priority treatment at EU customs.
This status confirms that Golden Cargo is a trusted and secure logistics partner in international trade.
IATA Agency License
Golden Cargo is an accredited IATA Cargo Agent, allowing it to:
- Book and manage air freight shipments directly with airlines
- Offer competitive rates and priority handling
- Comply with IATA’s global air cargo standards and safety protocols.
This license reinforces its capabilities in time-critical and specialized cargo shipments, especially important for marine parts logistics.
Official Panama Canal Shipping Agent Certification
Golden Cargo’s agency office in Panama is officially certified as a Panama Canal Shipping Agent, which enables the company to:
- Represent vessels transiting the Panama Canal
- Provide local logistics support, documentation, and coordination
- Offer direct on-the-ground service to ships crossing this key global maritime route.
This strategic presence enhances its support for Greek and international shipping companies operating globally.
What are the reasons why shipping companies would choose you over your competitors?
Our competitive advantage lies in our exclusive focus on the maritime industry, combined with globally recognized certifications, a strategic international presence, and an unwavering commitment to service excellence.
We are not a general logistics provider—we specialize in marine logistics, which means we understand the urgency, complexity, and technical precision required to deliver ship spares and equipment. We operate 24/7, offering on-board and ship-side deliveries, even at off-port limits, and manage every aspect from customs clearance to reverse logistics.
We also invest heavily in IT infrastructure, offering clients real-time tracking, online documentation, and visibility tools to streamline operations and decision-making.
And importantly, we’re trusted by most of the Greek-owned fleet companies, which speaks to our reputation and operational reliability in one of the world’s top maritime nations.
In summary, shipping companies choose Golden Cargo because we offer marine-focused, certified, globally connected logistics services—designed for reliability, compliance, and total operational control, wherever their vessels may be.
What are Golden Cargo’s products?
While Golden Cargo S.A. is widely recognized for its marine logistics expertise, the company also offers a diverse range of specialized logistics products across multiple high-demand industries. These services are designed for sectors requiring precision, compliance, and time-sensitive handling.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of Golden Cargo’s products beyond marine logistics:
Perishables Logistics
Tailored for temperature-sensitive and short-shelf-life cargo such as:
- Fresh produce, seafood, and dairy products
- Cold chain management from origin to final delivery.
Aviation Logistics
Supporting airlines, MROs, and aerospace manufacturers with:
- AOG (Aircraft on Ground) solutions
- Urgent air freight for parts and components
- Engine transport and secure packaging.
Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Transportation
Specialized handling of high-value and regulated cargo:
- GDP-compliant practices
- Temperature-controlled shipping (2°C–8°C, 15°C–25°C, frozen)
- Secure storage and validated cold-chain routes
- Real-time monitoring and traceability
Time-Critical & Express Logistics
For urgent, high-priority shipments across any sector:
- Next-flight-out (NFO) and on-board courier (hand-carry) options
- Customs pre-clearance for minimal delays
- 24/7 global response team for emergencies
- Ideal for medical equipment, ship spares, and critical parts.
Chartered Flight Services
Custom air charter solutions for oversized, urgent, or sensitive cargo:
- Full and part charter services (fixed-wing and cargo aircraft)
- Route planning and airport coordination
- Dangerous goods, humanitarian aid, and industrial project cargo
- End-to-end control from pickup to delivery.
Oil & Gas Logistics
Serving upstream, midstream, and downstream supply chains:
- Movement of specialized equipment
- Remote site deliveries and support
- Project logistics coordination for exploration and energy sectors.
Project Logistics
Handling oversized, heavy-lift, or complex cargo with precision:
- Feasibility studies and route surveys
- Multimodal transport (sea/road/rail/air)
- Permit management and escorts.
In summary, Golden Cargo S.A. offers a broad logistics portfolio that extends well beyond the marine sector, delivering specialized, compliant, and time-sensitive solutions for industries where precision and performance are non-negotiable.
