MEET THE TEAM

Marouki Dafni, Operations Executive

Cosmatos Shipping Services

What responsibilities does your role entail and what does an average day look like?

My responsibilities cover the daily organization, monitoring and proper allocation of tasks for business operations.

Activities therefore cover a broad scope and can include calculating proforma documents against acceptance, checking cargo documents and informing concerned parties (including receivers/shippers and authorities) about upcoming arrivals of vessels and cargoes. I can be preparing statements of fact, delivery orders and bills of lading, or monitoring the daily position of ships expected in our homeport. I take responsibility for cooperation with the port organization on loading/unloading plans, and update documentation accordingly. When we undertake husbandry services I coordinate the plan of tasks for crew travel management, crew changes, provisions, medical care, etc.

An average day starts with a thorough check of emails and a reorganization of the schedule - if that is needed. The next step is to communicate and update relevant parties about ongoing tasks. We have daily goals, and we need to ensure satisfaction for our customers and our collaborators.

What was your path to your current position?

I come from a maritime family and there was something of an inevitability that I would work in this industry: my grandfather was a sea captain and my father developed his own business in the shipping sector. My start came at just 18 years old, when I began working in my father’s shipping agency office. That was 20 years ago.

What are the main changes you’ve seen in your field since you began and how do you see it evolving? What changes would you like to see?

The last few years have seen a significant improvement in port infrastructure, while the whole industry has modernized services, with task execution accelerating and time being saved in key areas of work across the business.

For me, the industry would benefit from greater harmonization in the relations between shipping companies and state authorities.

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What do you like most about your job and what would you like people considering a career in your area to know about it?

As I said, I come from a maritime family, and so in some ways my career choice was predetermined. Nevertheless, the maritime sector offers new experiences and challenges on a daily basis, and there is always a need to expand industry knowledge and deepen understanding of the way shipping works.