The ceremony began with an address by the Rector of the University of Piraeus, Professor Michael Sfakianakis and the Dean of the School of Maritime and Industrial Studies, Professor Angelos Pantouvakis, and was followed by the presentation of the awardee's work (Laudatio) by the Chair of the Department of Maritime Studies, Professor Yiannis Theotokas.
The Rector of the University of Piraeus, Professor Michael Sfakianakis in his opening speech stated that the University of Piraeus honors a leading personality of the maritime world at a global level as well as a role model of a person. The title of Honorary Doctor awarded to Thanasis Martinos culminates his overall contribution to the economy, entrepreneurship amd his significant social contribution through the support of structures and the continuous and substantial contribution to education, sciences and culture. Thanasis Martinos is the Greek, who declared himself present, in the hours of great need as the country was experiencing a ten-year crisis of entrepreneurship and values, a crisis of standards. The rector also urged the students to be inspired and motivated by him, so that they can chart their own path, leaving their mark on future generations.
The Dean of the School of Maritime and Industrial Studies, Professor Angelos Pantouvakis in his address, praised the moderation and modesty of the honoree, who served his origins, his culture, his family and his country excellently. A humble servant and functionary of the value of moderation, who respectfully highlights people, their values and their particularities, while at the same time working with love for the benefit of the common good.
The Chair of the Department of Maritime Studies, Professor Yiannis Theotokas presented the work (Laudatio) of Athanasios Martinos, a distinguished shipowner who has contributed with his entrepreneurial activity to the development of Greek shipping, but also a personality with significant social activity and contribution to the development of the country in areas such as education, health, research and culture

The awarding ceremony ended with the speech of Athanasios Martinos, who, after thanking the University and the Department for the honor they bestowed upon him, remarked that the comparative advantage of Greek shipping is the very DNA of the Greek people.Ingenuity, flexibility and honor, the strategic management of critical decisions, their constant presence and leadership by example transforms the small country of Greece into a great maritime power. The training of executives, which the University of Piraeus has undertaken so successfully in the last fifty years, contributes significantly as its graduates excel in companies around the world.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikramenos, the Deputy Minister of Development and Investments Yiannis Tsakiris, the Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection Eleftherios Economou, the Deputy Minister of Justice for International Cooperation and Human Rights Georgios Kotsiras, the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Domna Maria Michaelidou and a crowd of parliamentarians and high-ranking officials of the Central Administration.
With their presence we were honored by the Reverend Bishop of Piraeus, Seraphim, the Reverend Bishop of Monemvasia and Sparta, Efstathios, the Reverend Bishop of Glyfada, Hellinikon, Voula, Vouliagmeni and Vari, Antonios

Present were, the President of Hellenic Single Public Procurement Authority (HSPPA) Androniki Theotokatos, the Vice-President of the Hellenic Court of Audit Konstantinos Kostopoulos, the Vice-President of the Hellenic Court of Audit Evangelia-Elisavet Kouloumbinis, Rear Admiral Ioannis Pattas HN as the representative of the Chief of General Staff, Brigadier-General Nikolaos Holevas as the representative of the Chief of HAGS and Rear Admiral Alexandros Tsoukalas as the representative of the Chief of the General Staff, the Chief of the Coast Guard Rear Admiral Georgios Alexandrakis and the Commander of the Naval Cadet School Rear Admiral Christos Sasiakos PN.
The Regional Governor of Attica Giorgos Patoulis and the Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Piraeus Dimitris Karydis.
The Rector of the Agricultural University of Athens Spyridon Kintzios.
The Greek Shipping sector was represented by the president of the Hellenic Shipowners' Union, Melina Travlou, a number of shipowners and representatives of their collective bodies and distinguished executives of companies and organizations.