Since 1999, bunker fuels broker, Irene Notias’ mission is to help her clients sustain their businesses. She decided to connect her reputable ship owning clients that were fulfilling their obligations punctually directly with the International Bunker fuel Physical Suppliers and this was a first for that time frame. Frequently compromising her personal time and risking being circumvented by either or stakeholder, she delivered best prices and quality 24/7 365 days in the year. Hence a business of her own emerged, in February 2002, starting with 7 loyal clients and by the next year grew to a family of clients of 28. She named her company Prime Petroleum Services because she was to give the best quality broker services with competitive world-wide prices. In 2018, when two industry specialists joined her, she renamed her company, Prime’s Bunkersplus Services.

Irene Notias is a Greek American business woman, a graduate of Pace University, NYC, with a BBA degree in International Management (minors Marketing & Political Science), in 1984. In her late 20’s she studied Human Relations at Brooklyn College’s Master’s Program in Psychology, while creating and running her own Boutique in NYC from age 24. Prior to that she has held several Administrative posts for Executive Managers at Bear Stearns, IBM, Nichiman America, Independence Maritime Agency, Cyprus Children’s Fund at the Cyprus Embassy. In Greece, she first worked for CERES Hellenic Flying Dolphins Hydrofoils – being one of a 5-man team to implement, train and support the first on-line ticketing system in Greece. Irene has sat on several Boards via election as Student Senator reporting to the Provost & Chancellor at their Board meetings of Pace University, VP of Greek Orthodox Youth Association (GOYA), Maid of Athena, AHEPA NY chapter, Sunday School Teacher & Parish Council member of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, NYC, VP & Member of WISTA Hellas, The Athens Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Association and The Kardamylian Foundation. She is also an working member of the International Bunker Industry Association and a Governor of the US Propeller Club Port of Piraeus.

She founded the NPO, Project Connect in 2015 to prevent more youth suicides and hopelessness that she read about in the New York Times about a Greek 26 yr old who killed himself (2012) because he couldn’t find a job and from what shipping college students were expressing to her from 2010 till 2016 – that they were feeling sense of hopelessness at not being able to get an internship let alone an entry level job in Shipping. Irene’s actions have been part of the zeitgeist of the time – she was impelled to do something about this. Project Connect evolved evolving simultaneously alongside and cooperated with ReGeneration and The Libra Group & The Hellenic Initiative’s Internship programs. This same NPO is responsible for introducing and implementing currently, the Adopt a Ship maritime educational project-based program in Greek elementary schools which is now going on its 3rd school.

Recently for Posidonia 2020 webinar series, she has gathered colleagues who shared facts and tips about the serious implications of the new IMO compliant fuel and the financing of it. To make the program light, Irene added a humorous twist at the intro and middle from Abbott & Costello which at the same time, contrasted with the sign of the times, how we don’t know who is on first or second and how we can get out of tight situations.

Her mottos: Find your sense of purpose and ‘Treat others as you would like to be treated.’ Her suggestion to young Greece: Follow the 3 A’s: Stay Awake, Aware and Alert.