Although his family originated from the Ionian island of Kefalonia, Travlos was born in Athens in 1940.
He became involved in shipping at a young age when he was employed as a ship agent for a large agency in Piraeus. He was later promoted to general manager.
Travlos studied economics and business at the Economic University of Athens.
In 1975, he founded Neptune Shipping Agencies to provide cargo and ship handling services in all Greek ports.
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