LEADING COMPANIES IN OPTIMAL MARITIME SERVICES
Nick Daskalakis | Managing Director
Please provide us with a detailed overview of your company’s history and its current scope of operations.
Alpha Shipping Advisors is a boutique maritime advisory firm founded in 2023 by Nick Daskalakis and a team of highly experienced professionals from Europe and Asia.
The company specializes in providing fi nance and leasing solutions to the global shipping industry, focusing on sectors such as dry bulk, tankers, containerships, LPG and LNG vessels.
With offices located in Athens and Oslo, Alpha Shipping Advisors is strategically positioned in key maritime markets, offering localized expertise while maintaining a global perspective.
Additionally, the firm has an exclusive partnership with Tidalwind in Shanghai and Singapore, consolidating its access to the rapidly growing Chinese market, which plays a vital role in shipbuilding, financing, leasing and chartering.
The firm’s expertise extends beyond advisory role; it focuses on tailored financial solutions, including financial leasing, operating leasing, traditional mortgage-based loans, equity participation, export credit agency (ECA)-backed financing. Alpha Shipping Advisors has successfully completed projects for leading private and publicly listed shipping groups, working closely with shipowners, financiers, and investors.
The company’s deep knowledge of maritime markets and its robust relationships in the Greek, Norwegian,
and Asian markets allow it to bridge cultural and business gaps, ensuring optimal financial strategies for its clients. Alpha Shipping Advisors stands out by offering a discreet, client-focused approach. It understands the complex needs of shipping groups and investors and delivers customized solutions that maximize financial potential while maintaining confidentiality. Through its exceptional network and industry insights, Alpha Shipping Advisors provides comprehensive support to shipping groups throughout the entire transaction process, from initial consultation, negotiation of terms, credit due diligence process, documentation, closing and post-closing follow-up. By combining expertise, strong partnerships, and market knowledge, Alpha Shipping Advisors is poised to continue shaping the future of maritime finance. Tell us about your personal professional journey so far. From an early age, shipping was an integral part of my life. Growing up, I was inspired by my father, who served as a Chief Engineer on dry bulk carriers and tankers.
He also came from a family with a long tradition in shipping (3rd generation). His dedication, attention to detail, solution driven approach
and overall firsthand experience in the maritime industry formed my understanding of the sector’s
requirements and opportunities, setting the foundation for my own career in shipping and love for the
sea and her people. My academic foundation in shipping and trade set the stage for my career in the maritime industry.
I earned a Master’s Degree in Shipping and Trade from the University of Wales, Cardiff and a Bachelor’s Degree in Maritime Studies (BSc Hons) from
Solent University of Southampton. These studies provided me with a solid understanding of maritime economics, business, logistics, law,
insurance, and industry dynamics, which I later applied throughout my professional journey.
I began my professional journey as a Trainee Ship Broker/Operator at Emmanouelides Shipping Enterprises in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1999. During this 27 formative year, I gained valuable experience in charter party fixtures for dry bulk carriers and agency operations. This early exposure provided me with practical insights into the maritime world and enhancedmy passion for the industry. My career took a significant turn when I joined Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), a bank with 250 years history in ship finance, where I remained for over 16 years specialising in ship finance.
Starting at the Piraeus Branch in 2000 as an Analyst then promoted in 2003 as a Junior Assistant Manager, in 2004 as an Assistant Manager and moved to London Branch in 2006 as a Ship Finance Manager. I supported the origination team in structuring and completing facilities, managing internal credit processes and relationship management. A year later, I relocated to the Piraeus Branch, where I undertook responsibilities such as transactional structuring, market analysis, credit submissions and managing documentation for the Piraeus Branch’s portfolio. In 2010, I advanced to the role of Senior Director, Ship Finance reporting to the Country Head.
In this capacity, I led strategic initiatives, managed complex lending proposals and maintained high credit quality while fostering robust client relationships managing a large diversified shipping portfolio.
Additionally, I played a pivotal role in navigating critical business transactions and project management, including the migration of operations between RBS and ABN AMRO, bank’s preparation of contingencyplans on potential multiple external challenges to Bank’s operations and contributed to the development of a highly skilled and motivated team. Throughought my career I followed programs for accelerated career excellence (shipping, law, advanced negotiations skills, project management, teamwork, leadership, etc). In March 2017, I joined a Chinese Finance Shipbroking Company as Head of Greece, where I led the Athens office for nearly six years.
This role allowed me to bridge international finance with local market expertise, further cementing my position in the global ship finance industry and navigating as one of the very first ship finance advisors to introduce the Asian ship finance market to Western shipping groups successfully completing headlight transactions in the Greek market for top shipping groups.
Since January 2023, I have been serving as the Founder and Managing Director of Alpha Shipping Advisors, based in Athens and expanded the firm’s footprint in Norway, China and Singapore.
In this role, I have leveraged my experience to provide strategic advice and innovative solutions to shipping groups navigating the complexities of themaritime and finance sectors.
Throughout my career, I have remained deeply committed to excellence, relationship building, confidentiality and responsible risk management. My journey has evolved by a combination of academic knowledge, professional expertise, and the values instilled in me by my family’s legacy in shipping. These principles continue to guide my professional endeavors and drive my passion for the maritime business. I am a member of Piraeus Propeller Club, Hellenic Ship Broker Association, Association of Greek Bankers and Financial Executives and Chios Marine Club.
Also I am proud to participate as a Mentor to University students and young shipping professionals under “Job Pairs” ASOEE initiative and YES Forum
(Young Executives Shipping).
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