Atlas Maritime has a long history and tradition in shipping. The company draws on the long history of the Lemos Family, a prominent Greek ship owning family which has been involved in shipping since the 18th century. The Lemos family has owned more than 100 vessels over three centuries of involvement in shipping. More than a century ago, in 1905, the great-grandfather of the principals, Christos M. Lemos was the co-owner and first Master of the Marietta Ralli, which Greek shipping lore has commemorated as the first steamship owned by seafarers from Oinousses, one of the country’s foremost maritime islands.
In 1947, in recognition of the contribution to the World War II efforts, the family was recipient of one of the famous 100 Liberty vessels which restored the fortunes of the Greek merchant fleet in the aftermath of the Second World War. Another among many touchstones of family pride is grandfather Leon C. Lemos, founder of Efploia Shipping, one of the most revered of Greek shipowners in the 1970s and 1980s. After selling off 15 of his 17 vessels in 1980 just prior to the crash, Capt. Lemos re-entered the market in 1985 while conditions were still at a low ebb, ordering a series of 10 bulkers from Hyundai Heavy Industries, a shipbuilder with which Atlas has renewed relations with a newbuilding project of its own. Leon Lemos was a pioneer in the shipping industry, well ahead of his time. He was one of the first to introduce private equity investors into the capital structure of the company in the 1970’s, and also incentivized his employees by giving them shares of the vessels in order to align their interests with those of the company.
Built 1979 by Nakai Zosen K.K., Setoda, Japan
64, 204 dwt, Bulk Carrier, built 1987 by Hyundai Heavy Industries, Ulsan, S. Korea
105,495 dwt,
Oil Tanker, built 2007 by Sumitomo, Yokosuka, Japan
with complete renewal of the fleet.
Leon Patitsas is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Atlas Maritime. Leon founded Atlas Maritime in 2004 and under his leadership, the company has grown to over $2 billion in Shipping Assets. Atlas’ fleet of Assets is well diversified in Crude oil tankers, product tankers, PCTC’s (Pure Car and Track Carriers) and Gas Carriers. With over two decades of experience in the maritime industry, Leon has built a track record of exceptional returns. Atlas has bought assets at distressed prices and after operating them for an average of 3 to 5 years, had the discipline to sell them and realize profits. The vessels have been fixed on medium to long term contracts producing steady cash flows that repaid debt, distributed dividends and created solid returns. The contracts have been with top tier counter parties like Phillips 66, Shell and BP.
Leon began his career in New York with an investment bank focused on hedge funds and private equity investments, which laid the foundation for his expertise in finance and equity raising. Leon accumulated substantial expertise in buying and selling assets, securing cash flows, and obtaining financing across global shipping capitals including New York, London, and Athens. This experience facilitated successful joint ventures with prominent private equity firms and Asset managers in New York, London, Copenhagen and Switzerland.
Leon was born in London and studied in the United States. Leon earned a Master of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University. Leon is married and the proud father of three children.
