TCM’s fleet consists of tanker, container and dry cargo ships with a capacity above six million tons deadweight (dwt).This latest support is part of the company’s long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) around the world.The initiative was taken by Mr N Soutos a shipowner and Honorary Consul of Liberia in Greece and Captain P N Tsakos of the Tsakos Group and Honorary Consul of Ghana in Greece, who arranged for the container to be made available via Tsakos Columbia Shipmanagement.

All three parties have stated that: “CSR is an integral part of our business and our culture; it is about conscience: conscience for our people, our community and our planet”.“CSR is about ideology, a duty, which goes beyond expectations and regulations, which goes beyond the compulsory and the necessary. It refers to our company’s commitment to operate in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner that is transparent and of increasing value to our staff, clients and the community.”

Soutos adds: “We are happy to be a designated supporter of the St Nicholas project and we pledge to continue with our support, which on this occasion consists of a container load of the following items - school desks, clothes, dry food, second hand computers, books, school bags etc.

 “Our relationship with society and the environment is critical and goes beyond responsibility; it is a business imperative, a strategic path, which we are all committed to follow.”

Captain Alkiviadis Kappas, Trustee of the St Nicholas Foundation and responsible for the current expansion of the school, thanked the donors for their considerable support, noting: “Finally all clearances have been received from three different ministries – efforts are being made to clear the container by November, 9, 2016.”

“We are all so excited to finally be in a position to see all the wonderful things that have been sent, which will give the much needed morale boost to the staff, children and trustees.”Meanwhile we are hoping that “the authorities will urgently do something about the difficulties encountered in clearing charity designated goods at the port; the process is just too cumbersome and frustrating”.

And in this instance, “We needed clearance from three ministries, plus VAT and Customs and the length of time which it has taken, means that the charity is facing a demurrage claim from the shipping company for the length of time the container has been in Tema. Apart from this, and despite having the support of the Ministries, the Ghana Revenue Authority has only given exemption for the books and desks, which form a minor portion of the value of the container.

This is a huge blow to “our charity as we don’t have the funds to cover these expenses and run and expand the school at the same time”. “We do not rely on the Authorities for any assistance”.The St Nicholas school project with the motto: "Every child has a right to education," was initiated by the Maria Tsakos Foundation in 2012. The children are taught English, Greek, reading, writing and other classroom skills.

The school has a navy cadet corps, brass band and cultural group.

The project seeks to improve the lives of disadvantaged children living in the deprived Tema Manhean community, by providing education that will enable the children to progress to higher levels of education.

It celebrates the important role that school programmes play in keeping Ghana's youth safe and engaged while grooming them into successful adults.It is making a remarkable impact in the lives of the beneficiaries.Beginning with 28 children, the school now has 110 pupils in seven classes with 12 permanent teaching staff. The school is headed by Mr Emmanuel Donkor.

Current sponsors include: Vodafone, Sea and Shore, Leon Shipping, St Mary Church Richmond UK, Teabag Charity, QBE Insurance and Teabag Mankoadze, Sailor’s Society, Soutos Maritime, Tsakos Hellas and Tsakos Columbia ship management.

There also a number of important individual sponsors.

Despite the extreme economic difficulties faced by Greece and the Greek people, On humanitarian grounds they have helped refugees arriving by sea on their shores, and they continue to help internationally.

Part of the container has been packed by employees of the Tsakos and TCM.

TCM was established in July 2010 with principal offices in Athens, Greece, as a joint venture between the Tsakos and Schoeller Groups.The Tsakos Group, which was founded by Capt Panagiotis N. Tsakos in 1970, has grown into one of the world’s most successful shipping organizations.St Nicholas Foundation, Tema, is a UK registered Charity with No. 1164193.  The Foundation operates under the umbrella of the Chaffinch Charity, which is officially being launched this week at Buckingham Palace, with the patron HRH Princess Anne.

Two Trustees of the Foundation have been invited to the event.