In conversation with: Mr Paris Xanalatos, CEO Tide Line Inc.

A Fourth-Generation Ship Owner on Payment, People and Partnership

Can you tell us a little about your role and what your day to day looks like?

I am a fourth-generation ship owner and manager. My day to day involves overseeing the operation of our vessels, looking at ways to improve every aspect of it, and setting out our short, medium and long-term strategic goals.

What keeps you awake at night?

Thankfully, I sleep quite well at night. While shipping is a very high-risk business, I always have a long-term view. We are used to the ups and downs and, given the conservative way we operate our vessels, I feel confident we can overcome almost anything that may arise.

Before you started working with ShipMoney, how were you managing things and what was that experience like?

Our crew is of different nationalities and come from places where remittances can be difficult and expensive. Our trade is global and unpredictable. We needed careful planning and organisation to ensure that wages and expenses were covered in time and in a cost-effective manner.

What has your experience been like since you began working with ShipMoney, and what impact has that had on your operations and team?

ShipMoney gave us a new, reliable, flexible, fast and cost-effective method of payment for our company and our crew. The experience has been very smooth, simple and easy to implement. The crew love the flexibility and speed of the system, and the administration is very intuitive and straightforward. Support is excellent and very responsive.

Have you noticed any changes in how things operate day to day, and what stands out in particular?

ShipMoney has given us a fast, reliable and cost-effective alternative to our traditional payment methods. I always expected our officers to adopt it immediately, but I have been surprised by how quickly lower ratings from very poor countries took to the cards. They consider having money on their card safer than keeping it in their domestic banks.

From your perspective, what does a good partner look like and what really matters to you?

Reliability, honesty, good service, always being there to listen, and always trying to improve and innovate the product

If you had to describe your experience working with ShipMoney in one word, what would that word be?

Trust.