Born in the Greek city of Piraeus in 1967, Evangelos Marinakis is a prominent figure in the global shipping industry. His father is Miltiadis Marinakis and his mother Irini Marinaki, née Karakatsani. Cretan born Miltiadis Marinakis served as a member of the Greek Parliament. Having founded Vanimar, he was also a successful shipowner. Evangelos Marinakis’s mother is a direct descendant of the prestigious Ypsilantis family.
Having attended the American International University in London, Evangelos Marinakis has master’s degree in International Relations and a bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration. After graduating, Evangelos Marinakis ventured into the shipping industry, following in the footsteps of his father.
Evangelos Marinakis worked as a chartered broker for Elders Chartering Limited and Harley Mullion in the UK. He also worked as a Commercial Manager for Capital Ship Management Corporation for 13 years.
Mr Marinakis subsequently broke out on his own, establishing his own business, the Capital Maritime Trading Corporation. This marked the beginning of an extraordinarily successful entrepreneurial journey in the global shipping industry, Evangelos Marinakis remaining true to his maritime heritage. He also served as CEO of Crude Carriers Corporation, a New York Stock Exchange-listed company. In this role, Mr Marinakis oversaw the successful merger of Crude Carriers Corporation and Capital Product Partners LP, a company listed on the American Stock Exchange that he continues to serve as chairman today.
A lifelong supporter of Piraeus Football Club, the team of his home city, Piraeus, Evangelos Marinakis was fortunate enough to acquire a majority stake in the club in 2010. As president, Evangelos Marinakis has led the club to victory in seven championships.
Mr Marinakis also acquired a controlling share in Nottingham Forest Football Club in 2017. He gained the approval of the English Football League for far-reaching plans created with the goal of restoring the club to its former glory. These plans included redevelopment of the team’s home ground, culminating in the creation of the East Midland’s largest football stadium, a venue featuring world-class facilities.
In addition to following his father into the maritime trade, Evangelos Marinakis also ventured into politics. Joining forces with Olympiacos Vice President, Yannis Moralis, Evangelos Marinakis cofounded the ‘Piraeus Winner’ alliance. Following the party’s successful campaign in 2014, Evangelos Marinakis was elected to the Piraeus City Council. During his tenure, Mr Marinakis has consistently focused on upgrading infrastructure, implementing ambitious plans to transform the port city of Piraeus into a thriving tourist destination while simultaneously improving living standards for local people.
Throughout his career, Evangelos Marinakis has used his position as a prominent businessman and public figure to effect positive societal change. In the wake of the Greek financial crisis, Evangelos Marinakis gifted €168,590 to Greek Debt Free, a charity website, on behalf of Olympiacos Football Club. Following the Cephalonia earthquakes in 2014, Evangelos Marinakis donated €500,000 to finance the rebuilding of schools across the country. In 2013, he brokered a partnership between UNICEF and Olympiacos Football Club, the club providing vital funding for a child immunisation scheme in developing countries. In Piraeus, Mr Marinakis has used his own personal wealth to finance redevelopment and job creation across the city.
Under Evangelos Marinakis’s leadership, the Capital Maritime & Trading Corporation has been recognised with several prestigious awards for its efforts to improve sustainability and lessen the impact of the global shipping industry. Awards earned by the company include GREEN4SEA’s Excellence Award 2015 and the Port of Long Beach in Southern Carolina’s Green Environmental Achievement Award in 2014, 2015 and 2018.
Today, the Marinakis family manages a more than 70 vessels via the Capital Maritime Group, its fleet including tankers, ships and dry bulk carriers.
