Starting off as a trainee at Columbia Shipmanagement, Sotiris Hadjiathanasiou now enjoys the role of Port Operations Manager at COLUMBIA cruise services — a path shaped by continuous learning, personal and professional development, and a strong passion for operational excellence.
“Since joining Columbia, I’ve had the privilege of working with talented professionals across departments and the wider industry, which has enriched my experience and broadened my understanding of cruise operations,” he shares, adding, “I built my foundation in shipping with a B.Sc. from the Cyprus Institute of Marketing and an Advanced Diploma in Shipping Administration (ADSA).”
In 2015, while still studying, Sotiris joined Columbia as a trainee and later as an Administrative Assistant in the Group Technical Purchasing Department, supporting both purchasing officers and technical superintendents.
Sotiris tells us, “I then worked with General Procurement Company Limited (GenPro), assisting with procurement tasks before being offered a permanent role at COLUMBIA cruise services as a Purchasing Officer. Those early years were filled with hands-on learning, including participation in dry-dock projects for vessels under management.”
By late 2017, Sotiris transitioned into the role of Port Operations Specialist, where he managed itinerary reservations, disbursement account processing, implementation and oversight of the DAs platform for the passenger fleet, bunkering procurement, and other core port operations responsibilities.
“I had the honour of representing COLUMBIA cruise services alongside the Deputy Head of Port Operations at key industry events, including Seatrade Cruise Med in Lisbon (2018),” he shares.
Inspired by my daily involvement in ship and port operations, Sotiris pursued an MSc in Shipping Operations & Management at CIIM (Cyprus International Institute of Management). He days, “I was grateful to receive a scholarship from the YoungShip Cyprus Organization and successfully completed the programme in 2023.”
In late 2023, Sotiris was promoted to Port Operations Manager. “In this role, I support and manage strategic projects such as port operations systems implementation, contribute to the launch of the AROYA CRUISES project, and liaise with port agents, authorities, vessel owners, internal departments, and external stakeholders,” he explains. “I have also participated in international forums including Seatrade Cruise Med 2024 in Malaga and other key industry events.”
Looking ahead, Sotiris says “I am focused on expanding my professional knowledge through the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and am honoured to have received a joint scholarship from ICS and Ancoria Bank. This ongoing journey reflects my strong commitment to the shipping industry and my drive for continuous improvement in operational excellence.”
