He was also involved in several charities including establishment of the School of Maritime Engineering in his home island of Chios.

More intensive expansion efforts were undertaken from 1959, after which the Chandris Group acquired several large passenger ships, notably Bloemfontein Castle, Bretagne, and Lurline (later renamed Ellinis).

[5] In 1950 Dimitri Chandris was elected on to the Board of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS), later serving as the organisation's Vice President from 1960 to 1964.

By 1976 Chandris had the largest passenger-cruise ship fleet in the world, surpassing the records held by major companies such as Cunard and Union-Castle.

[6] Having lived in London since World War II, Dimitri Chandris returned permanently to Greece in July 1980 to work and focus on the hotel group he established.

Outside of shipping, Dimitri Chandris was involved in a number of other business ventures, establishing a large automotive franchise, a brewery and a substantial hotel group.