Vanos

What Vanos does

VANOS S.A. is a privately held Greek distributor founded in 1929 and headquartered in Piraeus, supplying maritime, industrial, defense, and safety products to shipyards, commercial vessels, yacht operators, defense organizations, and the public sector. The company operates a warehouse holding more than 177,000 SKUs with stated 80% stock availability, managed through an in-house Warehouse Management System, and has held Authorized Admiralty Paper & Digital Distributor status since 1988. Its offerings span provisions and bonded stores, technical ship supplies, safety and rescue equipment (PPE, life-saving appliances, firefighting), CBRNe/Hazmat solutions, and an ISO-certified Training Center covering fire safety, first aid, security, and survival courses.

The business model combines B2B direct supply to fleets and shipyards with a growing branded retail and e-commerce presence via the Protect & Defend tactical store in Piraeus (launched 2020/2021) and the Marine Solutions Perama branch and e-shop (2022). Distribution relationships with brands such as 3M and Jotun support a third-party logistics representation layer alongside its own warehouse operations. Through the Provision, Bonded Stores, and Crew Services offering, the firm integrates consumables and compliance documentation as a recurring service to passing vessels.

Since 2019, VANOS has run an internal R&D unit (VANOS R&D) with development capacity in Greece and Estonia, collaborating with CERTH, the University of the Aegean, and the EU Horizon TeamUp consortium on navigation safety, early warning, maritime surveillance, anomaly detection, risk assessment, and CBRNe situational awareness applications. Revenue is generated through product margin on distribution, training fees, and project-based R&D participation rather than subscription software; no revenue figures are publicly disclosed, and growth has been funded organically.

Name

Vanos

Legal name

VANOS S.A.

Website

https://vanos.gr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

VANOS S.A. is a Greek maritime, industrial, and safety product distributor founded in 1929 in Piraeus, serving shipyards, commercial vessels, yachts, defense, and public-sector clients with 177,000+ SKUs, Admiralty chart distribution, and an in-house AI-focused R&D unit.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Supplies Distribution

NAICS

Navigational Services to Shipping (488330), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment (3790), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nautical Safety, Navigation Aids & Hydrographic Services (TLAHAFAE), Accommodation & Interior Outfit (Cabins, Galleys, Sanitary, Furniture) (IMAJAIAF)

Keywords

• Maritime supplies distribution
• Nautical charts
• Marine coatings
• Safety equipment
• CBRN solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Piraeus

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Marine & Industrial Product Distribution: Core business: distribution of deck, engine & cabin stores, industrial products, marine coatings, safety equipment, and personal protective equipment to maritime, industrial, and defense sectors. Maintains 80% stock availability of 177,000+ SKUs.
2. Provisions & Bonded Stores: Certified ISO22000 food safety management for dry, fresh, and frozen temperature food products, delivered via privately owned refrigerator trucks
3. e-Navigation Products & Services: Admiralty Paper & Digital distribution including charts, publications, Print On Demand services, and bridge management services with satellite communication equipment
4. Training Services: Certified training programs (ISO 21001:2018, ISO 29993:2017) for maritime, industry, and public sector professionals in safety, security, and well-being
5. CBRNe/Hazmat Solutions: Comprehensive solutions for Army and Civil Defense including detection, protection, disinfection, decontamination, containment, and neutralization of chemical agents
6. Retail & E-commerce: Direct-to-consumer sales through owned e-shop (vanos-protection.gr) and retail stores ('Protect & Defend', 'Marine Solutions') for tactical operators and recreational consumers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Distribution of maritime, industrial, and safety products (deck, engine and cabin stores, marine coatings, PPE) to shipyards, vessels, harbors, and offshore structures; official Admiralty Paper & Digital nautical chart distribution with Print-on-Demand service; ISO-certified provisions and bonded stores with refrigerated logistics; CBRNe/Hazmat detection and protection solutions for military and civil defense; ISO-certified professional training programs in safety, security, and well-being.

Product overview

Vanos S.A. is a Greek maritime and safety equipment distributor established in 1929, offering a diversified portfolio of products and services across maritime, industrial, defense, and retail sectors. The company operates through distinct divisions: Maritime (deck/engine/cabin stores with 177,000+ item codes), Yachting Solutions, e-Navigation Solutions (Admiralty distributor since 1988), Industry Products, Military & Civil Defense, Public Sector, Training Center (ISO 21001:2018 certified), VANOS R&D (AI-powered solutions), CBRNe/Hazmat Operations, and Retail/E-Shop (Protect & Defend stores). The company distributes numerous international brands including 3M, Zarges, Peli, 5.11 Tactical, Portwest, Jotun, Night Searcher, Admiralty Digital Products, and consumer brands like Cross pens, Delsey luggage, and Lava cookware.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Protect & Defend: Industry sector oriented retail store and showroom for safety and tactical equipment, also operated as e-commerce platform at vanos-protection.gr.
• Marine Solutions
• VANOS R&D

Products and services

• Maritime Distribution Services Distribution of over 177,000 SKUs of deck, engine, and cabin stores, industrial products, and marine coatings with 80% stock availability, serving shipyards, vessels, harbors, and offshore structures globally through an advanced Warehouse Management System.
• Provisions & Bonded Stores ISO 22000-certified food provisions management covering dry, fresh, and frozen temperature products, delivered via privately owned refrigerated trucks to vessels.
• e-Navigation Solutions Official Admiralty Paper & Digital nautical chart distribution, including Print-on-Demand paper charts in under 5 seconds, publications, satellite communication equipment, electronic navigation aids, and Bridge Management Services with 24/7 support.
• Yachting Solutions
• Industry Products & Occupational Safety Solutions Industrial products and marine coatings with tailor-made solutions, occupational health & safety training seminars, and after-sales technical support including a 3M Safety Experts program.
• CBRNe / Hazmat Operations Solutions Comprehensive CBRNe/Hazmat solutions for Army and Civil Defense spanning detection, protection, and disinfection pillars, plus decontamination, containment, and neutralization of chemical agents, with nanotechnology-based applications against chemical threats.
• ISO-Certified Training Center Certified training programs (ISO 21001:2018 and ISO 29993:2017) in safety, security, and well-being for maritime, industry, and public-sector professionals.
• Military & Civil Defense PPE & Tactical Solutions Personal protective equipment for land, sea, and air operations, tactical equipment, CBRN solutions, and security, communication, and detection systems for armed forces and civil defense organizations.
• Protect & Defend Retail Stores Industry-sector retail stores and showrooms in Piraeus specializing in safety and tactical equipment for tactical operators, safety professionals, and recreational consumers.
• Marine Solutions Retail Retail location in Perama, Greece hosting tailored solutions for the light marine industry, including marine supplies and safety equipment for boat owners and operators.
• Protect & Defend E-Shop Direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform (vanos-protection.gr) selling safety gear, tactical equipment, apparel, footwear, and marine supplies to tactical operators and recreational consumers.
• Public Sector Solutions Products, services, and tailormade solutions for hospitals, schools, municipalities, regions, and public structures backed by a qualified support team.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% stock availability enabling always-on-time delivery
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CERTH (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas) - M4D LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Strategic research collaboration with CERTH's M4D Lab for AI-powered solutions development in maritime, security and civil protection sectors. Jointly developing algorithms for navigation, early warning systems, and maritime surveillance.
• University of the Aegean (SmartMove Lab)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academic research partnership with University of the Aegean's SmartMove Lab for collaborative R&D in maritime technology and innovation.
• UK Hydrographic Office (Admiralty)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1988Admiralty Paper Distributor since 1988 - one of the largest Paper & Digital Distributors worldwide. Distributes Admiralty nautical charts, digital products, and Print On Demand services.
• TeamUp Project (EU Funded)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon Europe funded project (ID: 101121167) focused on research and innovation collaboration. VANOS R&D is a dedicated member of TeamUp.
• 3M (Safety Products)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of 3M safety products including Scott, Peltor, Speedglas, Scotchlite, E-A-R, Protecta, and Sala brands. Operates 3M Safety Experts program.
• JotuncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Jotun marine coatings and industrial products for maritime and industrial applications.
• LOTO Safety ProductscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive European distributor for LOTO (Lockout/Tagout) safety products.
• Peli ProductscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Peli protective cases and equipment through vanos-protection.gr.
• ESPA (Hellenic Association of Ship Suppliers & Industrialists)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMember of Hellenic Association of Ship Suppliers & Industrialists for industry networking and representation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GAC Group: GAC is a global provider of shipping, logistics, and marine services including ship supply and crew change support. It competes with VANOS in marine supply to vessels and ports, with a comparable multi-vertical service model across maritime industry.
• Wrist Group (Wrist Ship Supply): Wrist is one of the world's leading marine ship supply distributors, providing deck, engine, cabin, and provisions stores to vessels worldwide. It is the closest direct peer to VANOS's core maritime distribution business and competes for the same ship-owner and shipyard customers.
• Wilhelmsen Ship Management: Wilhelmsen operates a global marine supply and ship service network delivering consumables, spare parts, and safety products to vessels across major shipping hubs. Comparable to VANOS in serving the same ship-owner customer base with maritime supplies, safety products, and provisions, often via port-based hubs.
• Survitec Group: Survitec is a global supplier of marine safety and survival equipment, including lifeboats, PPE, and emergency response products. Comparable to VANOS's safety-equipment and CBRNe/Hazmat offerings, with similar maritime and defense customer profiles.

Broad incumbents

• WESCO International: WESCO is a large-scale distributor of electrical, communications, and safety products with global operations. Comparable to VANOS in safety/PPE/industrial distribution and shared supplier relationships (3M, etc.), though WESCO operates at much larger scale and broader product scope.
• Wärtsilä: Wärtsilä is a major marine systems and equipment manufacturer with broad offerings across ship power, propulsion, and increasingly digital maritime solutions. It is a broader incumbent compared to VANOS, but competes in overlapping marine-equipment and now maritime-digitalization spaces where VANOS R&D is investing.
• Drägerwerk: Dräger is a global manufacturer of safety and respiratory protection technology, including CBRNe detection and gas-measurement equipment. Comparable to VANOS's CBRNe/Hazmat offerings and competing for similar military and civil defense customers, though Dräger is a manufacturer rather than a distributor.
• Bunzl plc: Bunzl is a global distribution business with operations in safety, PPE, and industrial supplies across multiple geographies. Comparable to VANOS in distributing third-party safety and industrial brands at scale, though Bunzl operates with a much larger and broader geographic footprint.

Others

• Martechnic / Orcan Actuation / RINA (adjacent maritime services): RINA is a maritime certification, testing, and marine-services company headquartered in Genoa, Italy. It is not a direct competitor but is an adjacent maritime-services peer serving the same shipping customer base and providing complementary services such as classification, training, and digital solutions where VANOS also operates.

Regional players

• Maritime Holdings (Ship Supplies) / ISCO / IMPA-aligned ship chandlers: IMPA (International Marine Purchasing Association) and the broader ship chandler network serve as organizing bodies for marine supply distributors like VANOS. Regional ship chandlers across major ports operate comparable deck/engine/cabin store models and compete with VANOS for the same fleet supply contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vanos.supplies
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vanossa
• Instagraminstagram.com/vanos.supplies

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vanos