When Panagiotis Kouroumplis was appointed Greece’s minister of maritime affairs and insular policy in the autumn of 2016, he was himself more surprised than most.

“It wasn’t what I expected, to tell you the truth,” the 66-year-old tells TradeWinds in an interview. “I was anticipating any other ministry but this. I was reluctant, I won’t hide it.” Panagiotis Kouroumplis

Nothing in Kouroumplis’ long career as an activist and politician suggested any closeness to shipping.