Page 40 - 2022 - Q1 - Minerva in Focus

OUR MARITIME FAMILY Capt. Spyridon D. Kotzias:

I love challenges because they keep us constantly alert

and help us train, learn, modernize, and always be ready

“ Can you tell us a few words about help us train, learn, modernize, and always
yourself?
be ready. LNG ships are the immediate future
- the spearhead of a new cargo management
Since the beginning of my career,
I was born and raised in Piraeus. In 2003 I
philosophy and amazing technologies. On
as an individual and a Master, I graduated from the Merchant Marine Acade- the other hand, tankers are a constant value
that I believe will never be eliminated.
my of Hydra (the oldest ancient in the world)
have always been honest with and began my career as an officer with the
every crew member. I introduce Minerva Marine family. In 2015 I obtained the How are skills needed onboard LNG
rank of Captain Class A’ under which I have vessels different from those required
myself to my new team, explain my been serving the Minerva fleet until today. onboard tankers?
goals, and always leave room for Concurrently, I continued my postgraduate The key is to have skills that support the
studies obtaining a shipping management
different opinions and new ideas. degree from MCA college. Today I am com- concept of the “ship” in general. All vessels
” Singapore in the field of low sulfur fuel oil. navigation. If we want to dig deeper, in
require proper maintenance and effective
pleting my Ph.D. St. Thomas Polytechnic in
terms of cargo, the tanker is a broader con-
cept where the ship transports crude oil or
Regarding my hobbies, after 12 years of
training, I hold the rank of instructor, and I
am a member of the National Team of Greece some of its derivatives. That means that the
officer needs to have knowledge and experi-
in the martial art and science of Muay Thai. ence in the whole range of the tanker.
Additionally, I am an instructor in the DAS
street fighting self-defense system. I am On the other hand, an LNG carrier carries
fond of traveling, reading books of technical only natural gas. Of course, this LNG comes
or scientific content, and love rock music. Of from different refineries with percentage
course, I always find opportunities for sports variations in its composition, but it is still
or leisure activities. the same cargo.

Tankers vs. LNG vessels: What type Where LNG ships differ is in the field of
would you choose and why? cargo/fuel management, which is not as
simple as A, B, C. On a 24-hour basis, safe
It is still too early to choose between a Tanker navigation and management depend on the
or LNG vessel. Tankers have been my whole weather conditions, the loaded or unloaded
Ιnterview with Capt. Spyridon D. Kotzias nautical life from my first steps on March status of the ship, the ambient temperature,
and the charterers’ orders. When it comes to
15, 2000. LNG is a new path presented to
Master Mariner - Captain Class A’ me, and I accepted it with incredible joy LNG ships, the concepts of collective effort
Minerva Gas from Minerva Gas. After all, I love challenges and cooperation play a leading role and
because they keep us constantly alert and supersede the one-man show concept. The
40 MINERVA IN FOCUS – ISSUE 19 / Q1 2022