The Livanos family entered the shipping business

Capt. Giorgis J.P. Livanos (1865-1954) gave birth to Capt. John G. P. Livanos (1898 -1972), Capt. Panagiotis G.P. Livanos, (1903- 1945) and three daughters Kalliope, Maria and Eirini.

Starting with the first Liberty in 1947 the Liberty fleet expanded to include the following ships:
PANAGIOTIS, BENBITA , GEORGE L, KALI L, MARIA G L, ILISSOS, PANTAZIS L, GIANNIS, AGIA EIRINI L, SAN REMO, SAN BENITO, SAN PABLO, SAN ANTONIO, SAN NICOLAS

During 1950s to the 1970’s and from his New York offices at Rector Street and then Park Avenue, the founder of Ceres Hellenic Shipping Enterprises Ltd., the late George P. Livanos, coordinated a fleet, operated by the company’s offices in Piraeus, of 23 bulk carriers and tankers, with a further 52 mini bulkers. In 1973, the company ordered their first new building tanker in Japan.

Mini-Bulkers were a new form of ocean-going transportation, which participated in the UN Relief program helping nations suffering from war and natural disaster.

In late 1970s Ceres Flying Dolphins was pioneered to introduce 27 high speed hydrofoil boats serving Greek coastal ports and Islands. Later the fleet expanded with new building high speed Catamarans from Norway & Australia. This provided new opportunities and enormous contribution to development of the infrastructure to remote communities and their tourism expansion.

A time of consolidation, and the new generation manifests itself.

In 1986 a newbuilding order is placed for a new generation of seven (7) chemical tankers which at the time were the world’s largest ice classed double hull IMO II chemical tankers.

In 1988 under the management of Peter G. Livanos Ceres Chemical Tankers is created and buys CANADIAN PACIFIC 6 chemical tanker fleet with operating offices in London , USA, and Malaysia.

In the early 1990s, Seachem Tankers Ltd. is created and within 7 years becomes the world’s third biggest operator in the chemical tanker sector.

In 1996 Seachem Tankers fleet grows with a series of newbuilding contracts for the new generation of Multi- Flex tankers, the world’s biggest stainless steel chemical tankers.
In 2000 the company merges with Odfjell to create the worlds’ biggest operator of chemical tankers worldwide: Odfjell - Seachem.

In mid 1990’s four 4 Ice-class newbuilding Suezmax crude oil tankers are delivered and the strategic alliance with Ultramar Diamond Shamrock evolves.

In 1996 Ceres becomes the first ship management company to achieve ISO 14001 certification for Environmental Management System and ISO 9002 for Quality Management System.

A new decade

2000 Seachem Tankers Ltd. merged with Odfjell ASA company, creating the largest chemical carrier fleet in the world

2002 DryLog Ltd. was established as a fully owned subsidiary of Ceres and absorbed all the dry bulk investments of the group.
The merger between DryLog and Coeclerici under Coeclerici Ceres Bulk Carriers NV, (CCBC) came into effect, thereby creating one of the largest operators in the dry cargo freight market.

In 2004 Ceres, though its subsidiary Ceres LNG Services Ltd. (currently GasLog LNG Services Ltd.) ventured into the LNG sector by being appointed the shipmanagers of two LNG carriers owned by British Gas.
In 2005 TankLog Ltd. the Ceres investment vehicle for crude oil tankers, entered into an agreement with Euronav NV company for the sale of its tanker fleet and tanker newbuilding contracts and thus became the second largest shareholder of Euronav NV, before divesting its interests there in 2014.

During this time, and since its establishment, DryLog Ltd. further consolidated its long standing relationship with the Japanese market and grew long term charter contracts from Japanese owners as well as forming Joint Ventures (Bocimar, Swire, Mittal, CBC, CSAV).

DryLog Ltd. interests were controlled by family members at C Transport Maritime SAM in Monaco.

Bringing Drylog back home

In 2017, C Transport Maritime SAM relinquish the management of the Group’s dry interests with the establishment of DryLog Chartering Ltd. and DryLog Shipping Ltd.
DryLog Services Ltd. was established in the same year in order to further simplify the corporate structure and to facilitate the full control of DryLog Ltd. from the home of the Group’s activities, Piraeus.

Consolidating partnerships

In 2019 and after a series of successful joint ventures in the past 25 years, DryLog Ltd. expanded its business relationship with ArcelorMittal by taking a 50% stake in ArcelorMittal’s shipping subsidiary Global Chartering Ltd.
The company retained the name Global Chartering Ltd. (GCL) and operates a fleet of bulkers ranging from supramax to capesize.
With ArcelorMittal’s cargo commitments and DryLog’s management expertise, the aim of this joint venture - that forms a strong strategic fit - is to effectively explore synergies, optimize transport alternatives as well as take head on challenges the shipping business will face in terms of sustainability.

New Horizons

In 2020, DryLog Ltd. proceed with the purchase of ED&F Man’s freight trading subsidiary, ED&F Man Shipping. The new company changed its name to DryLog Trading Ltd. By combining, ownership, cargo, and now operating, Drylog Ltd. has become a fully harmonized shipping concern.