Elpi Petraki (ENEA Management): Promoting women in shipping through WISTA (source: ENEA Management)
ENEA Management’s Elpi Petraki discusses her formulative years in the industry and explains why her school friends thought her father was James Bond!
Elpi Petraki is the operations, chartering and business development manager at ENEA Management, a Greek shipping company that operates a fleet of specialised tankers. Ms Petraki is also the president of WISTA Hellas and 2nd Vice President of the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association (HSSA). Ms Patraki will be on the panel of the How to stay ahead in the global competition for seafarer and office talent session at the Tanker Shipping & Trade Conference, Awards & Exhibition 2022, held in Athens, Greece on 9-10 November.
How and why did you enter the shipping industry?
For me, shipping was the obvious career choice; both of my parents worked in shipping and the industry fascinated me from an early age.
Who was your childhood hero and why?
The marine environment has always interested me. As a child I remember spending hours reading The Ocean World by Jacques Cousteau, an encyclopaedia dedicated to marine life, and watching his documentaries. Mr Cousteau and Emile Gagnan invented the first fully automatic ‘Aqualung’ in 1943, making the underwater world more accessible to everyone.
What has been your best moment in shipping?
As a shipbroker, the great sense of achievement upon concluding a difficult fixture is hard to beat.
What has been your worst moment in shipping?
We have all experienced some intense days throughout our careers. However, I believe we can learn a lot from the worst days on how to develop and progress, both professionally and personally.
What has been your funniest moment in shipping?
One memory that still brings a smile to my face today, and is related to shipping, is from my time at school in Greece. My father was a shipbroker, but I described this as an agent when my friends asked me what my dad did. This led to my friends thinking he was a secret agent – like James Bond!
“It’s ok to challenge the status quo, but try to learn from history”
Who have you learnt the most from?
Over the years I have had many mentors, but I learnt a lot from my parents. They showed me the ropes and have supported me throughout my career. I also joined WISTA in the early stages of my career and have had the privilege of meeting many wonderful and inspirational women. Now I have the opportunity as President of WISTA Hellas to share my experience with other women to help them make progress in their own careers.
Where is your favourite location?
Somewhere remote and peaceful, such as a quiet area by the sea – the Greek islands of course – or in the British countryside.
What is your one regret in shipping?
I regret that the world does not realise just how essential shipping is to our everyday lives. During the pandemic, awareness was heightened, but its true value to the world economy is not recognised and I also regret that seafarers are still not seen as essential workers.
What would be your advice to a young person starting in shipping?
To make the most of all the opportunities available to them and not to be afraid to ask questions and to speak-up. It’s also ok to challenge the status quo, but also try to learn from the history of the industry to bring positive change for all, as we navigate a new era in shipping.
