Chartworld Shipping Corporation is an established group of private shipping companies providing both technical and commercial ship management. With a diversified fleet profile the Group has maintained a strong presence across multiple key areas of the shipping industry for over forty years. Chartworld now manages over 60 vessels, earning a reputation for operational excellence and forward-thinking leadership.
At GTMaritime, long-term relationships are at the heart of everything we do. One of our most valued and enduring partnerships is with Stelios Pantazis and Chartworld Shipping Corporation, a collaboration that began nearly 30 years ago and continues to thrive today.
The Early Days of Innovation
Our founder, Robert Kenworthy (pictured above), remembers his first connection with Stelios back in 1995, during the early days of satellite email, through the work being carried out with Marinet Systems – the original developers of satellite email technology. At that time, the maritime industry was using Inmarsat C telex systems for text messaging alongside Inmarsat B terminals.
Even then, Stelios stood out for his forward-thinking approach and collaborative spirit. Together with his colleague George Georgiadis, he recognised not only the potential for cost savings, but more importantly the operational benefits of enabling direct “email to email” communication between ship and shore. Their willingness to embrace this shift helped lay the foundations for a truly transformational period in maritime communications.
Backing a Start-up Vision
When GTMaritime was established a few years later, Stelios was one of the first to put his faith in the business. Despite being a new company based in Warrington, UK, GTMaritime was entrusted with the migration of the entire Chartworld fleet, a clear sign of Stelios’s belief in the technology and in the people behind it.
That early support was instrumental in helping GTMaritime grow into the trusted maritime communications provider it is today. It also marked the beginning of a relationship built on mutual respect, transparency, and a shared commitment to innovation.
Growth Through Partnership
Over the decades, both Chartworld and GTMaritime have expanded significantly. As Chartworld’s fleet grew, so too did the scale and depth of our collaboration. GTMaritime’s email solution has been implemented across their vessels, with Stelios and his team always engaging in open and constructive dialogue.
This partnership has never been simply about service provision. It has been a genuine collaboration; sharing insights, overcoming technical challenges together, and supporting one another through key milestones. Stelios’s personable and honest approach has played a central role in sustaining this successful relationship.
“Our partnership with GTMaritime spans nearly three decades and has been built on trust, innovation, and a shared vision for the future of maritime communications. From the early days of satellite email to the ongoing digital transformation of our fleet, GTMaritime has consistently delivered reliable technology and exceptional support. They understand our business, anticipate our needs, and continue to play a key role in helping us navigate the complexities of digitalisation across our operations.”
Stelios Pantazis, IT Manager, Chartworld Shipping Corporation
Looking to the Future
Today, Chartworld remains a progressive force within the maritime sector, with a commitment to innovation that matches GTMaritime’s own. The enduring partnership between our two organisations is a reflection of what’s possible when technology is supported by trust, vision, and strong human relationships.
GTMaritime now supports over 17,000 vessels worldwide, and our focus remains steadfast: building lasting relationships and continuously evolving our solutions to meet the needs of a digital maritime future.
