Athina Martinou: A Final Farewell to Greek Shipping's Icon

Relatives, friends, and dignitaries from the political, business, and religious sectors gathered to pay their last respects to Athina (Nunou) Martinou, a maritime trailblazer who passed away at the age of 97.

The funeral service was held at the Holy Church of the Transfiguration of Sotiros in Vouliagmeni, attended by prominent figures, including Metropolitans of Syros, Tinos, and Mykonos, as well as representatives from the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Archbishop Hieronymos was also present to honour her legacy.

A Legacy in Shipping

Athina Martinou entered the shipping industry in 1964 and founded the prominent shipping company Thenamaris in 1971. Known for her social sensitivity and low profile, she built a formidable reputation in a male-dominated field. Under her leadership, Thenamaris grew rapidly, with 36 ships by 1975.

After stepping back in 1991, she entrusted the company to her sons. Her family’s influence continued, with Thanasis founding Eastern Mediterranean Maritime and Andreas establishing Minerva Marine, while Dino took the helm of Thenamaris.

In a heartfelt interview, Martinou reflected on her love for the sea, which is rooted in her upbringing in Kefalonia and Glyfada. She credited her husband, Ioannis Martinos, and son, Thanasis, for supporting her journey. “When you want something, you can do it,” she said, highlighting her determination and resilience.

A Philanthropic Spirit

Beyond her business acumen, Martinou was passionate about giving back to society. Her Foundation reflects her commitment to maritime causes and community welfare, embodying her belief that life, like the sea, is full of ebbs and flows.

Her journey began with her family's modest investments in shipping, which blossomed into a thriving enterprise, all while staying true to her roots. The Martinou family's first ship was purchased in the 1960s, paving the way for their eventual dominance in the industry.

As she is remembered, Athina Martinou leaves a rich legacy as the "strongest woman in Greek shipping," inspiring future generations with her tenacity and vision.

Who Was Athina Martinou?

Athina (Nunou) Martinou entered the shipping industry in 1964 and founded the shipping giant Thenamaris in 1971. Known for her social sensibilities, she maintained a low profile and avoided publicity and displays of wealth.

In 1971, she decided to manage her family's shipping operations, Methenitis. Together with her sons, Thanasis, Dino, and Andreas, she established Thenamaris Ships Management. By 1975, the fleet had grown to 36 ships.

In 1991, Athina decided to hand over the reins to her children. Thanasis Martinos left the company to create Eastern Mediterranean Maritime.

In 1997, Andreas followed his path and established Minerva Marine, leaving Dino at the helm of Thenamaris. Today, Andreas's son, Andreas Jr., has taken over at Minerva, while Dino's son, Nikolas Martinos, leads Thenamaris.

In an interview on Ainanautes, Athina reflected on her love for the sea: “I am from Kefalonia, but being born in Glyfada played a role in my affection for the sea. I used to watch ships pass by and tell my friends, ‘We will build steamers,’ and we did. We were passionate about it, and our whole family enjoyed the journey.”

She added, “In this effort, I was not alone. My husband supported me initially, but my son Thanasis played a crucial role. From the age of fourteen, he did statistics and noted the crew requirements for each ship. My husband, Ioannis Martinos, loved the sea, and Thanasis was actively involved. I wasn’t the driving force; I was the one who could make the difficult easy. When you want something, you can achieve it.”

Athina Martinou emphasized, “I never sought accolades. I loved Thenamaris, not the management. My goal was to grow my fleet, and that happened.”

She recounted the story of their second ship, "Eleni": “We had no money, and Thanasis was finishing high school. I found the funding, and we went to London for him to sign the papers. When the Harbor Master in London asked if I knew how to use a typewriter, I said yes and wrote the documents myself. That’s how we acquired the steamer.”

They bought their first ship in 1964 for £80,000. It was a 20-year-old Lebanese vessel, which they rebuilt and later sold in 1967 for $300,000.

Athina’s passion for the sea inspired the creation of her foundation, which aims to give back to society. She described herself as "like the sea—female." Her approach to life mirrored her relationship with the sea, embracing its calm and turbulent sides. Bold, ambitious, hardworking, and discreet, she became a prominent figure in Greek shipping.

The sea was a constant source of inspiration for Athina. She dedicated herself to her dreams with hard work and passion, earning respect and recognition in the shipping industry.

Athina Martinou always returned to the sea for strength and sought to repay the generosity she received. Through her foundation’s silent but impactful work, she aimed to contribute significantly to projects benefiting Greek society, helping it broaden its horizons.

Building a Shipping Empire

Athina’s father-in-law, Ioannis Martinos (1907-1977), owned one of Athens' most famous antiques and art shops in Monastiraki. His wife, Athena, known in maritime circles as Nunou, came from the traditional shipping family of Methenitis. The couple had four children.

The Martinou family's first investment in shipping occurred in the 1960s under Athina's guidance. With profits from the gallery, they purchased their first ship, a 10,000-ton vessel named "Thanasis," from N. Livanos.

The Methenitis family managed the first two ships in Piraeus and Kronos Shipping in London. In 1971, Athina took control of the family’s shipping operations, founding Thenamaris Ships Management. The company experienced rapid growth; by 1975, it managed a fleet of 36 ships with a carrying capacity of 850,000 tons.

Thanasis led the company alongside Athina in the early years, and Dino and Andreas joined later. The three siblings worked together until the early 1990s when Thanasis left to start Eastern Mediterranean Maritime, followed by Andreas’s establishment of Minerva Marine in 1997.