A leading figure in the global shipping industry, Evangelos Marinakis was born in Piraeus, Greece, on 30th July 1967. His father, Miltiadis Marinakis, was also a successful shipowner and founder of Vanimar. Miltiadis Marinakis was also a financial supporter of Olympiacos F.C., as well as a member of Greek Parliament. Evangelos Marinakis’s mother, Irini Karakatsani, is descended from the prominent Ypsilantis family.
Evangelos Marinakis studied at the American International University in London, gaining a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in International Business Administration and International Relations respectively. After completing his education, Evangelos Marinakis entered the shipping industry, following in the footsteps of his father.
After training to become a chartering broker at Harley Mullion and Elders Chartering Limited, Evangelos Marinakis subsequently forged a successful path that was faithful to his family pedigree, establishing the Capital Maritime Trading Corp. He also founded Capital Product Partners LP, an American Stock Exchange-listed company, presiding over the company as chairman. He also served as CEO of the New York Stock exchange-listed Crude Carriers Corp.
In early 2019, Capital Product Partners LP announced its merger with Diamond S Shipping Inc., culminating in the creation of one of the world’s biggest listed tanker companies in a deal worth a reported $1.65 billion.
Over the years, Evangelos Marinakis has been honoured with several industry awards in recognition of his significant contribution to the global shipping industry, including:
- ‘Newsmaker of the Year’ – Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards 2010 and 2014
- ‘Personality of the Year’ – Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards 2017
- ‘Certificate of Recognition for Commitment to Excellence in Ship Management and Operations’ – Lloyd’s Register of Shipping 2018
In addition to following his father into the international shipping industry, Evangelos Marinakis also ventured into politics and was elected first member of Piraeus City Council in May 2014.
A keen supporter of Olympiacos, the team of his home city Piraeus, Mr Marinakis bought the team in 2010. He continues to serve as club president today, having previously presided as vice president of the Hellenic Football Federation and president of the Greek Superleague.
Evangelos Marinakis is a generous philanthropist. In Piraeus, with the City Council lacking the necessary finances since the Greek economic crisis, Mr Marinakis donated his personal funds in support of a variety of community projects, financing construction of parks, squares, sports facilities and children’s playgrounds. Indeed, throughout his career Mr Marinakis has leveraged his position to create a positive social impact, including donating €168,590 to ‘Greece Debt of Olympiacos F.C.
