OUR HISTORY AT A GLANCE
1920
DELPA was established in November 1920. Its Founder was Panos Athanassiades, pioneer in the development of Sea and Land Transports. For a series of years, he was President of the Piraeus Port Authority, also, for several years, President of the Greek Forwarders’Association (U.T.I.G.) and the International Maritime Union in Greece. Also, Lecturer at the University of Economics in Piraeus and, finally, Founder and Publisher of the first economical bulletin in Greece named at that time "DELTION PANOS ATHANASSIADES”. The said bulletin later developed to one of the most important financial newspapers in Greece and is being published until today under the name "NAFTEMPORIKI”.
1936
DELPA started dealing with Ships' Agencies.
During this year, DELPA purchased the first Motor Ships in Greece which were named "DELPA I”, "DELPA II” and "DELPA III”.
1946-1957
During this period, DELPA started acting as Agents of various Shipping Lines that carried cargoes from F.East, U.S.A. and Europe, and became the General Representatives / Agents in Greece of the Maritime Business of Onassis Group, for which, it is still acting as General Agents.
It got involved in Freight forwarding and Haulages and became one of the Founding Members of Greek Forwarders' Association (I.F.F.A.G.& L.).
It expanded its business in Ownership and vessels' Management.
The Motorships "DELPA I”, "DELPA II” AND "DELPA III” were replaced by Liberty and Victory class vessels.
1960-1980
Marios Sofianos, nephew of the Founder, takes over the management of the company, after several years in the company already.
Establishment of companies affiliated to DELPA SHIPPING & TRANSPORT CO. LTD, namely "DELPA MARITIME CO. LTD” (Ships’ Management), "TROPIS SHIPPING AND TRADING SA” (Real Estate development) & "DELPA SHIPPING – FORWARDING -TRADING SA”(International Transports).
1981-1988
Commencement of regular worldwide Export Consolidation Services.
Commencement of General Cargo Parceling Service from Adriatic Sea to Greece.
George Sofianos & Deppy Sofianou take over the Management of the Group.
1991
Establishment of TOP HELLAS S.A., a joint venture of the German Group Thyssen Trans and the DELPA Group, engaging in Shipping & Logistics.
1992
Commencement by TOP HELLAS SA of a General Cargo Parceling service from Black Sea to Southeast Asia.
Along with its long-standing General Cargo Parceling service, DELPA introduced a Trailer service from Italy to Greece in cooperation with SUTES SPA.
1994
Commencement of new direct consolidation service from USA to Greece in cooperation with "DIRECT CONTAINER LINE” (Vanguard Logistics Services) USA.
Commencement of Air Transport services.
"DELPA SHIPPING & TRANSPORT CO. LTD” focuses in Ships’ Agencies, Chartering and Special Projects. Volumes of cargo carried increase considerably and sailings from Italy to Greece exceed five per month.
1998
Full control of "TOP HELLAS S.A.” (100% of shares) was transferred to DELPA Group following subsequent mergers of Thyssen Trans with Haniel Logistics and German Rails.
2000-2018
TOP HELLAS S.A. completed an investment in the region of Euro 7 millions in one of the most up-to-date modern Cargo Terminals in the Athens- Piraeus area.
The company establishes its leading position in the NVOCC service ex USA
Preparations for commencement of direct consolidation service ex Greece to USA
Further expansion in the field of Project Transports – tailor made solutions
Agency representation of first class project cargo shipowners
2019
Launching of our new direct consolidation service ex Greece to USA.
After completing one century of operations... Our long tradition and experience in the Maritime and Transport Industry, in combination with our ability to cope with the challenges of an ever-changing environment, are the cornerstones of our present and future success.
