(HOUSTON) — Intermarine LLC, a global leader in the transport of project, break-bulk and heavy-lift cargo, has announced that Andre Grikitis will receive the Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award (AOTOS) from the United Seamen's Service (USS) at the organization's 48th annual gala at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, on Oct. 13,.
Recognized as the most prestigious award in the maritime industry, the Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award has been presented annually by United Seamen's Service for the past 47 years. The AOTOS Award is given in recognition of individuals and organizations that have shown outstanding support for American seafarers and the maritime industry of the United States.
Grikitis has used a combination of personal commitment and business savvy to propel Intermarine to the forefront of America's heavy-lift and specialized cargo vessels. He began his career in the maritime industry as a chartering manager with World Trade Shipping, a New York-based vessel operator. In the early 1980s, he joined another New York-based vessel operator, T.J. Stevenson, as vice president. In 1993, Grikitis acquired the vessel operations of this then employer, D.W. Lee Inc., which he later renamed Cargoships Inc.
Cargoships became responsible for all ship chartering for Intermarine's services. In 2006, Grikitis became the chief operating officer and later chief executive officer for Intermarine and assumed responsibility for the company's U.S.-flag division. During his term as president and CEO, and as also while serving in the role of operating chairman, Grikitis led the expansion and development of the company and its services. These include a U.S.-flag fleet consisting of seven multi-purpose vessels engaged in worldwide trade and an international fleet of approximately 40 internationally registered vessels engaged in Intermarine's liner and worldwide services. Grikitis recently led the company's efforts in connection with a newbuilding program for the construction and delivery of state-of-the-art, efficient and economical vessels that will deliver over the next five years.
"Andre is a fitting recipient of the AOTOS Award. He has served a critical role in the growth and development of Intermarine as a U.S.-based and operated company, and the building of the company's U.S.-flag multipurpose fleet," said Will Terrill, CEO and president of US Ocean LLC. "He is an innovator, as well as an outstanding leader and mentor – he is a deserving recipient of the most prestigious award in the marine industry."
Grikitis received a bachelor of science degree in business from Central Connecticut College and a master's degree in criminal justice from C.W. Post in New York.
About United Seamen's Service
USS provides community services for the U.S. Merchant Marine, the American armed forces, and seafarers of the world. USS, a nonprofit agency established in 1942, operates centers in six foreign ports in Europe, Asia, and Africa and in the Indian Ocean, and also provides seagoing libraries to American vessels through its affiliate, the American Merchant Marine Library Association.
Proceeds from the AOTOS event benefit USS community services abroad for the U.S. Merchant Marine, Seafarers of all nations, and U.S. government and military overseas. The recipients will share the evening with a group of American seafarers.
About Intermarine
Intermarine is a global leader in the transport of project, break-bulk and heavy-lift cargo. Founded in 1990, the company, through its subsidiaries and worldwide network of 20 offices, operates a flexible international fleet with lifting capacities up to 1,400 metric tons. Intermarine provides ocean transportation and marine logistics services with regular sailings in the Americas, West Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, plus inducement voyages to Australia and other international ports. The company operates the largest U.S.-flag heavy-lift fleet and controls Industrial Terminals (Houston), the busiest project cargo terminal in the United States.