24 / 09 / 2025
J.H.I. Steamship Co., supports as Golden Sponsor the Exhibition “The sea unites“ at the Hamburg Nautical Museum starting 24 September 2025 to end of November 2025.
J.H.I. Steamship Co. is honored to participate as Golden Sponsor of the exhibition “The Sea Unites”, held at the International Maritime Museum of Hamburg from 24 September to the end of November 2025. This significant event underscores the timeless role of the sea as a bridge between nations and cultures, highlighting the enduring spirit of maritime cooperation. During the opening ceremony, Mr. George Foustanos, founder of NAVIRA Non-Profit, delivered a distinguished address, emphasizing the historical and cultural ties that connect the global maritime community through shared values of partnership, heritage, and mutual respect.
Speech delivered by George M. Foustanos at the opening of the exhibition “The Sea Unites”, International Maritime Museum Hamburg, 24 September 2025.
Frau Tamm,
Herr Tamm, mein guter freund Peter, vielen dank für ihre freundlichen worte. Meine Damen und Herren, guten Tag.
I really wanted to continue my speech in German, but unfortunately, I haven’t spoken your language for more than half a century — and I’m afraid I’ve forgotten almost everything!
Still, it’s a great honour to be here with you today. Hamburg holds a very special place in my heart. Exactly 58 years ago, in 1967, I earned my very first salary, working for two months as an apprentice at the famous Blohm & Voss ship repair facility. I came back again in 1979 — this time as a shipowner — to start a joint venture with a young German entrepreneur, Mr. Claus-Peter Offen.
What followed was not only a successful business partnership, but above all, a lasting friendship. Claus-Peter has been one of my greatest inspirations in understanding the true value of international cooperation in shipping.
The third time I returned to this beautiful city was nine years ago, in the autumn of 2016. That time, I came as a maritime historian, together with my son Michalis, to visit another dear friend, Mr. Christian Hinneberg.
Apart from our many conversations, he suggested we visit this museum — and I must say, in my opinion, it’s the finest maritime museum in the world. The timing of that visit was a real gift.
I had the privilege to meet a remarkable man — the one who made this museum a reality. At 88 years old, Peter Tamm Senior was still visiting the museum almost every day. I was deeply honoured to shake his hand and thank him for his priceless contribution to preserving international maritime heritage.
That meeting took place only a few weeks before his passing, in December of that same year.
Perhaps I am the only shipowner who ever left his career at sea to dedicate himself completely to maritime history. So, hearing the story of this museum from his son, Mr. Peter Tamm Junior, touched me deeply.
He kindly guided me through the museum, and our talks — especially about Greek shipowners building ships in Germany — planted a seed in my mind: the idea of working together to highlight the value of international cooperation in shipping.
With that thought, I published the book “The Sea Unites” the following year. It was warmly received by our friends here in Hamburg. Later, during another visit in 2019, I met Peter again, and we discussed creating a joint exhibition.
The Covid-19 pandemic delayed our plans, but the idea never disappeared. And so, in the autumn of last year, Peter and I decided to make it happen — to bring this exhibition to life.
We both hope it will be the beginning of a long-term and fruitful collaboration between two institutions that share the same spirit and ideals.