Major Greek shipowner John Angelicoussis is seriously ill in an Athens hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack.
In a statement sent to TradeWinds, the Angelicoussis Shipping Group said its president's condition was "serious but stable".
The statement did not elaborate on the exact nature of the medical emergency Angelicoussis is facing, other than to say that he was taken ill early on Saturday morning and that he was receiving "the very best medical attention".
Angelicoussis is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential Greeks of his generation, earning a reputation for closely watched market moves.
Maria Angelicoussis, John's only child, has taken up the role of acting chief executive in her father's absence. She had already assumed a prominent role in steering the group recently, especially after a management reshuffle that saw the departure of previous senior executives.
"We understand the interest in my father’s condition," Maria Angelicoussis said in the statement on Sunday.
"We will provide an update when we can and as appropriate, but in the meantime we kindly request that the privacy of my father and his family is respected at this most worrying time," she added.
TradeWinds is told that Angelicoussis is being treated at the Henry Dunant Hospital Centre in Athens.
Driving force
Born in November 1948, he been the driving force behind a shipping group that spans a mixed fleet of more than 130 ships in the water and on order — split between outfits Maran Dry, Maran Tankers and Maran Gas Management.
Angelicoussis hails from Kardamyla, Chios. His father Anthony, a former radio officer, was the first Greek shipowner to undertake a public flotation in 1987. The family's then outfit, Anangel American Shipholding, delisted from the Nasdaq in 2001.
Angelicoussis has subsequently been an advocate of privately-held shipowning, and has been highly critical of the involvement of private equity companies in the sector.
Under Angelicoussis' leadership, the group developed a very close relationship with South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering group.
Since 1994, the Greek owner has placed far more than 100 newbuilding orders worth billions of dollars at the yard to develop his fleet, particularly in gas carriers.
