Costas Kontes has been with V.Group since 2008 when he was serving as Business Development Manager. In 2016, he was appointed Managing Director of V.Ships Greece Ltd., and is currently responsible for the office in Greece and for operating a fleet of 82 vessels including container and bulk carrier vessels. Previously, he had been serving the cruise / leisure sector working for Iberojet Cruceros. Being responsible for the marine and technical operations, Costas set up the operation in Madrid for the company later to expand from 1 to 3 owned vessels and later sold to a large cruise line. Other positions held previously were with Martinoli SAM in Monaco following the fleet of Renaissance Cruises being involved in the successful initial launching of Oceania Cruises, as well as working for Festival Cruises both onboard the ships and on the new building projects in France. He has a BSc, MSc in Marine Engineering from Newcastle University Upon Tyne and a MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance from Cass Business School. Additional qualifications include the Seatrade Cruise Masterclass course and the Executive Leadership Development Course designed for V.Group from Strathclyde Business School, while he holds the title of Chartered Engineer from the British Engineering Council. Costas has also been a member of ‘The International Propeller Club - Port of Piraeus’ having served as Secretary General and as Vice President.