EPSCO CYPRUS
ENSURING SAFETY WITHIN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY
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EPSCO CYPRUS
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I PROFILE
EPSCO Cyprus is well known within the shipping industry for its first-class safety services. Having spent almost 30 years providing a diverse offering on a global scale, the company has expanded its capabilities once again. Managing Director Maria Ioannou provided insight on a new partnership, in an exclusive interview with Inside Marine. Report by Imogen Ward.
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Managing Director Maria Ioannou
ince it was established by Andreas
Ms Ioannou said. “Our customers really
Ioannou in 1995, EPSCO Cyprus has
appreciate a timely response, and our
remained a strong player within the
long-standing relationships with them
world of marine safety. “Our team always collaborates to
are really a testament to our commitment and competence in this area.”
offer the very best solutions that cater to the needs and requirements of our
The perfect product portfolio
customers,” said Managing Director
The company can also provide customers
Maria Ioannou.
with competitively priced spare parts
With over 350 manufacturer and
through dedicated spares departments
class approved service stations, 200
in Cyprus, Singapore and Germany. From
dive stations dotted across the globe and
boilers and burners to hydraulic pumps and
a service station established in Rotterdam
equipment, the company has a wide ranging
since 2021, the company has created the
backstock of parts to ensure a quick
perfect formula of adaptability and safety
turnaround for repair work.
excellence, successfully surveying, ser-
With safety a top priority, EPSCO offers a
vicing and repairing around 3,000 vessels
fixed-priced agreement for safety services
every year.
and currently has over 850 vessels under
Quick to resolve any issues that
fixed-fee agreements for various customers
may arise, the company operates 24/7,
around the world. They can also provide ser-
allowing it true flexibility when it comes
vicing for crucial safety equipment, including
to answering short notice callouts.
life rafts, FFE and lifesaving equipment.
“By being available on-call, we can avoid being limited to a single project,”
Although its range of services is already diverse, EPSCO is determined not to stop
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EPSCO CYPRUS
I PROFILE
there. With a firm belief that there are
future challenges: developing solutions to
solutions to every problem, the company
address those challenges is key. When it
has recently been on a mission to expand
comes to finding new partnerships who
its capabilities further.
can bolster that development, our only
“We are pleased to have acquired
criterion is exceptional service. We are
new representations over the past year,
proud to say that all our partners reflect
and our network has been expanding
that excellence.”
steadily,” Ms Ioannou said. “A growing network enables us to connect with
The latest addition
a wider range of clients and offer them
The most recent collaboration saw EPSCO
the best possible solutions, and we are
join forces with the world’s leading ultra-
extremely proud to have gained new
sonic antifouling specialist, Sonihull. As
partnerships, which have expanded
a result, EPSCO now also supplies ultra-
our services considerably.”
sonic systems. Sonihull’s equipment is
According to Ms Ioannou, when it comes
designed to be a fit-and-forget solution
to new partnerships, EPSCO always
that prevents algae from attaching to any
makes sure its customers’ needs come
solid surface exposed to raw seawater.
first: “We always try to understand our
“Our company recognises the valuable
customers’ needs and anticipate for
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contributions made by our worldwide
EPSCO CYPRUS
I PROFILE
suppliers and our partners,” Ms Ioannou
poisonous potential that comes with
said. “They are a huge factor in our
environmentally harmful biocides. Other
success, and our latest representation
positives of the product include a signifi-
comes in the form of Sonihull Ultrasonic
cant reduction in drag, fuel consumption
Antifouling Systems.
and therefore GHG emissions.
“The partnership really began when
EPSCO takes the topic of sustainability
Mr Ioannou heard a radio interview
very seriously and has been a member
on the way to work. The interview
of the Cyprus Marine Environment
discussed Sonihull’s solutions, having
Protection Association (CYMEPA) for
just received the King’s Award for
more than 15 years. CYMEPA is a non-
Enterprise. That very same day, we
profit organisation that was set up to
met with the company, and we have
encourage the prevention of marine
now been marketing their products for
pollution. As part of its efforts, CYMEPA
about six months.”
holds the annual Pan-Cyprus Beach
An effective bio-fouling solution,
Cleaning campaign, providing EPSCO
Sonihull’s system ensures low cost and
employees with a chance to participate
low maintenance without having the
as volunteers.
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Going green responsibly
“Growing up in the industry, I have
Volunteering, however, is just the tip
witnessed the various changes that
of the iceberg when it comes to EPSCO’s
have occurred,” Ms Ioannou explained.
work to promote sustainability. Keen
“Obviously, the implementation of carbon
to maintain a positive legacy, the
emissions regulations remains a pivotal
company has worked hard to establish
point of focus. Industry-wide. Digitalisation
a workplace culture that is focused
is also a big factor of the modern shipping
on sustainability.
industry, and with it comes both positive
“We make sure to comply with
and negative attributes. Digitalisation
all environmental regulations and
is good, but ultimately, a machine can’t
prioritise eco-friendly solutions and
compare to the experience of a human
actions,” Ms Ioannou said. “In line
being, and that element is needed.
with that dedication, we really try to
“I hope I will not see a point where
encourage employee engagement
there is too much change, and the
when it comes to sustainability.
human factor is extracted from the
Whether that be beach cleaning days
equation completely.”
or just general recycling awareness,
Whilst looking to the future, it is clear
we actively promote this kind of culture
the company’s priorities will remain the
within our offices.”
same, with customer service remaining
To improve its own sustainability, the company has spent the last two years
at its core. “Our ultimate goal is to not only meet,
digitising its processes. New Microsoft-
but exceed the expectations of our
based software has been rolled out
clients,” Ms Ioannou concluded. “We
to its operations and accounts depart-
are dedicated to achieving this through
ments, to ensure all administration is
authentic communication and contin-
now done digitally.
uous collaboration.”
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