WOF INTERVIEW WITH WANDA COSTOPOULOS
About Wanda Costopoulos
Wanda Costopoulos holds an M.A. in Architectural Lighting Design from Parsons School of Design in New York. She also studied Human Resources Management at Sabancı University in Istanbul, complementing her academic background with a focus on people and organizational development.
She began her professional career in New York, working in architectural lighting for several years. Following her family’s longstanding tradition, she later transitioned into the shipping industry.
She joined Arkas Holding in Human Resources, where for two years she was responsible for several countries. She then moved to Arkas Hellas Shipping Agency, where she gained extensive experience across all areas of the business, developing a comprehensive understanding of shipping operations and management. The last 5 years, she subsequently moved into freight forwarding and logistics, progressively taking on broader management and leadership responsibilities.
Today, she serves as Managing Director of Arkas Logistics Greece and Managing Partner of Arkas Hellas Group. She has played a key role in the organization’s growth and regional expansion, including the establishment of Arkas Logistics Serbia. She has been honored with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Award in the Workplace category by ICAP Group and is actively involved with the Board of Directors of SVAP, as well as WISTA.
Which industries, cargo types or trade lanes are currently creating the most interesting opportunities for freight forwarders working with and through Greece?
Greece has a very interesting strategic position as a gateway between the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast and Central Europe. With its ports and access to major shipping routes, sea freight naturally offers strong opportunities. In addition, combining those sea connections with road links into Southeast and Central Europe creates further possibilities. In terms of cargo, opportunities span consumer goods, food and beverages, industrial materials, and more specialized shipments.
Greece offers access to important ports and transport corridors. How is Arkas Logistics helping its international partners connect their customers with opportunities in Greece and the wider region?
One of our main strengths is that we don't focus on just one mode of transport. We can offer sea freight, international road transport, and air freight, and combine these services according to the customer's needs. Our presence in Serbia strengthens this even further. helping us connect Greece with markets across Southeast and Central Europe. The idea is to be a reliable single point of contact who can look at the whole supply chain and find the right solution.
International partnerships are essential in freight forwarding. What do you look for when choosing reliable overseas agents and logistics partners?
For me, reliability and communication come first. An agent is not just a supplier; they are an extension of your service and often represent you directly. I value partners who respond quickly, are transparent, know their local market, and offer competitive solutions. Price matters, but it is not everything. When something goes wrong, and sooner or later it does in this business, What matters is how fast and how transparently the partner reacts.
What is your biggest management challenge today, and how do you keep your team motivated and focused in the demanding world of freight forwarding?
One of the biggest challenges is the speed and unpredictability of our industry. Customers expect fast responses and smooth operations, even when external factors change constantly. I try to give people responsibility and trust them to take ownership. At the same time, they need to know that management is there when support is needed. Recognizing good work, sharing successes, and giving people room to grow are, in my view, key to maintaining motivation.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for Arkas Logistics Greece's international development?
My vision is to further develop our role as a regional gateway, building on our strength in sea freight and combining it with international road transport and air freight. Our presence in Serbia is part of that strategy, strengthening our network in Southeast Europe and connecting Greek ports with markets further into Europe. For us, international development is not just about volumes, it is about creating long-term, sustainable partnerships and being a trusted single point of contact for our partners and customers.
In your experience, what makes a successful logistics manager, and what qualities do you value most in the people you lead?
A successful logistics manager needs to see the big picture and also pay attention to details, because small details can have big consequences. In the people I work with, I value ownership, communication, and reliability. I appreciate people who don't just point out problems but think about how to solve them. And I value curiosity. Those who keep learning and looking for better ways to do things.
Arkas Logistics S.A., a member of Arkas Holding, has been a trusted logistics provider in Greece since 2004. With offices in Piraeus and Thessaloniki, the company combines the strength of a multinational organization with the personal, tailored service of a local partner.
Arkas Logistics connects every corner of Greece with global markets, offering comprehensive end-to-end transit solutions across sea, air, road, and integrated logistics services. Through a strong international network and reliable partnerships, they ensure seamless transportation for all types of cargo—from FCL/LCL and temperature-controlled shipments to oversized, dangerous, break bulk, and specialized loads. Guided by values such as teamwork, adaptability, reliability, and a strong focus on partners, Arkas Logistics aims to be the first choice for both local and international customers. Their vision is clear: to serve as a reference point in transit solutions while maintaining exceptional service quality throughout the supply chain.
Whether by sea, air, road, or via complete 3PL logistics support, Arkas Logistics delivers flexible, customized, and dependable solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of global trade.
