The huge steam boiler (7,850mm x 3,075mm x 3,230mm in size and 28 tons in weight) plus a 20′ dv SOC containing spare parts where shipped from Piraeus shore using a barge/service boat. Unusual means of transport, you will say, but if I tell you that the delivery had to be done at the anchorage area of Piraeus port, then everything falls in place!
The team professionally handled the lacing of the material at their own warehouses before having the machinery shipped using 2 x 40 flat racks. This is the beginning of what C.V.M. hopes will be a fruitful relationship between themselves and this customer, continuing with the shipping of two slightly smaller JCB machines at the end of the month.
When asked why customers keep returning, Manager Vlasis Maragos had this to say, “We adapt our operations to the economic climate of the day; offering services which are always economical, advantageous and effective.”
Q. Can you tell us a little about the history of C.V.M. INTERNATIONAL FORWARDING LTD. and when you joined the company?
A. C.V.M. International Forwarding Company was established in 1980 by Chris V. Maragos; a Captain, a Professor at the Training Center of Merchant Marines in Greece, my father and my mentor. The family’s tradition (my grandfather also worked in the field) and their professionalism was mainly what attracted me to the freight forwarding industry.
In the beginning of our company’s operation, we handled 80% of Greece’s world-wide marble exports (about 800 teu / month). Since then, more and more clients of varying industries have entrusted their goods to us. I personally joined the company in 2007, immediately after my service as a 2nd Officer and the completion of my Masters in International Transportation Management.
Q. Does your company specialize in any particular kind of shipment?
A. We are strong in all areas of shipping (sea transports, ship spares & chartering to name just a few). Although, we don’t limit ourselves to one area; our office provides complete logistics solutions (from multi-mode transports to project cargos and more).
Q. What would be the most significant shipment/project your company has handled?
A. We are proud to say that for more than 30 years, we have been frequently challenged with the shipments that we handle. We have handled the stuffing, custom clearance & road transport to Piraeus port of 80 containers – as one lot – in 7 days. Last year, we chartered a vessel within a floatable vessel and currently, we move large steel structures (14m long) on a monthly basis, from Greece to Germany and Baku.
Q. What are the main challenges freight forwarders in Greece are facing at the moment?
A. Unfortunately, the implementation of capital controls in Greece isn’t helping the industry overall, as a continuation of the Greek trade. We – as a company – found a solution, so we will keep our shipments moving and our clients and suppliers satisfied.
Q. How are you and your team meeting these challenges on a daily basis?
A. Wise management and effective partnerships – such as Conqueror freight network – are part of the solution to these daily challenges.
Q. What attracted you to apply for membership of Conqueror?
A. The exclusiveness of the membership and the broad coverage of the network.
Q. Would you say that overall your Conqueror Membership is working for your business?
A. We are so pleased to be a member of such a “family”! While difficult circumstances approach us all (the economic and trade crisis are a global phenomena – nobody can deny that) we have to figure out joint solutions to strengthen our COMMON future…
We are so looking forward to meeting you all in Abu Dhabi to discuss our ideas!
The team chartered a submersible FLO/FLO vessel for two consecutive voyages; Ras Al Khair to Jizan port, in Saudi Arabia, the second from Jeddah to Kavkaz port in Russia.
The uniqueness of this shipment was that that the chartered vessel was one that can load sea water for the tug boats and its equipment, in order to float their entire transport.
CVM Ltd, once more, met its client’s challenges with professional punctuality and delivered a successful outcome.
Conqueror’s exclusive agent in Athens, were recently charged with the moving of a geared multipurpose VSL Dwt 10.000 Mt with 1500cbm / 300t heavy duty machinery from port of loading Elefsina to Bata, Equatorial Guinea. Check out the photos, after all a picture is worth a thousand words.
Over the past few months, Conqueror’s exclusive agent in Athens, has been making a number of road transportations of steel cargo to be used in construction at Bad Bentheim in the north of Germany; 36 in fact.
The dimensions were 14.00m X 3.50m X 4.00m with an average weight of 21.5 tons each. “To date our team has moved a total of 650 tons of steel over land on low bed – heavy duty trailers,” explained Vlasis Maragos, Operations Manager.
C.V.M.’s motto is ‘We can visualize your movements,’ meaning that have the ability to provide a smooth and stress-free door to door service for its clients and partners. These steel loadings in particular needed careful forethought, planning and coordination to ensure the correct transport permits for Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, and Germany as well as escort cars.
As the well-known phrase says, “’Prior planning prevents poor performance’, and this is what every member of our team understands and works by,” emphasized Vlasis.