Hermis Transport’s journey began in the late 1970s when Vasilis Papadakis arrived in San Juan as Chief Engineer aboard a cargo ship. During a brief stay, he met the woman who would become his wife, and together they would have two daughters. After returning to Greece to secure a marriage visa, Vasilis came back to Puerto Rico, where he settled down and launched a small ship chandler business, Puerto Rico Star, in the early 1980s. Operating from his home in a modest neighborhood on the outskirts of San Juan, he started with just a car and a pickup truck.
During this time, Vasilis formed a strong friendship with José Busto, owner and founder of Continental Shipping Inc, who introduced him to the Shipping Association and helped connect him with key port agents. Puerto Rico Star quickly became a go-to provider for many cruise companies in Puerto Rico.
In the late 1980s, following the passing of his wife, Vasilis decided to sell Puerto Rico Star. Continental Shipping and Harbor Fuels acquired the company, with Vasilis continuing as General Manager for the next two years. In 1997, he stepped down and soon after founded Pylos Transport, a company dedicated to the pickup and delivery of goods.
In the early 2000s, after Harbor Fuels bought out Continental Shipping’s share, Vasilis and Busto partnered once again to create Hermis Transport. The company grew steadily, adding trucks, including a refrigerated unit, and expanding operations with a warehouse in Puerta de Tierra, which included a bonded merchandise area. In 1999, Vasilis married Bonnie Pagan, who became both his life partner and a key contributor to Hermis Transport’s ongoing success.
Today, Hermis Transport remains a trusted partner for all major cruise lines and mega yachts, offering essential provisions, specialized technical support, and efficient management of sea and air shipments that are crucial to ship owners and operators across Puerto Rico.