About Us

John Samonas & Sons Ltd. was established in 1966 by Captain John N. Samonas, to act as the London agents for a fleet of three general cargo ships. He was later joined by his three sons following careers at sea and higher education in the fields of maritime business, marine engineering and naval architecture.

General Cargo

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the Company was appointed to act as agents for a growing fleet of multi-purpose and dry cargo vessels, providing Operational and Commercial Management as well as Technical and Newbuilding supervision.

Panamax Specialists

In 1994 the Company was appointed to supervise the newbuilding of two 72,000 dwt Panamax bulk carriers being built at Hitachi Zosen, Maizuru Shipyard. Upon delivery the two vessels Samjohn Spirit and Samjohn Light were entered under the agency, handling the vessels' operation through their entire lifetimes as well as the eventual sale for recycling. Providing full Technical, Operational and Commercial Management from newbuild stage throughout the lifetime of the vessel proved to be a success and in 1998 a further two 75,000 dwt Panamax vessels, Samjohn Amity and Samjohn Liberty, were delivered from NKK, Tsu Shipyard under the supervision and agency of the Company.

A move into Capes

2007 saw the Company nominated to act as agents for a pair of 181,000 dwt Capesize Bulk Carriers, the first of such size to be handled by the Company. Both vessels, Samjohn Solidarity and Samjohn Legacy, were delivered from STX Offshore & Shipbuilding, Korea in 2010. 2010 held a further nomination in the form two 207,000 dwt ‘Newcastlemax’ Bulk Carrier newbuildings to be constructed at Daehan Shipbuilding in Korea, and which were successfully delivered in the first half of 2012.

Newcastlemax Pioneers

Following two successful years operating Newcastlemax Bulk Carriers, the advantageous operational efficiencies of these vessels was realised and two 210,000 dwt “eco” vessels ordered by Golden Flame Shipping at NACKS (Nantong COSCO Kawasaki Ship Engineering) were placed under supervision by John Samonas & Sons Ltd, the first of which was delviered in Q1 2017 with the sistership delivered in Q1 2019.