Posidonia Sets Compass for Global Shipping Agenda

The biennial Posidonia 2018 Conference Programme is once again upon us, with a thought-provoking constellation of conferences, seminars, workshops and panel discussions which are set to shape the global shipping agenda.

The conferences, seminars and media roundtables planned during this year’s Posidonia at the Athens Metropolitan Expo are organized by companies and organizations from around the world - from Brazil to France, Panama to Poland, from Mexico to Korea and Japan and from South Africa to the United Kingdom. The program will tackle shipping issues spanning policy, trade and finance, energy, technology, port development, fuels and lubricants, water ballast treatment, the tanker and dry bulk market, hull performance, scrubbers, the environment, manning, claims and dispute resolution.

The TradeWinds Shipowners Forum will focus on how advances in technology and alternative business models are rewriting the rules over how ships are owned, operated and traded. With more shipowners than ever before participating, the program consists of two panel-led sessions: dry bulk and tankers. The conference will examine whether the fundamentals in the dry bulk sector are as secure as many expected, and how owners are adapting their strategy. And as technology, regulations and social demands are forcing changes in business practices, the forum will shed light on how companies can best adapt to survive in tough markets. With upheavals in the global trade in crude, products and LNG requiring new investments and fresh strategies, should owners build, buy or scrap? And where will they find finance for business fit for the 2020s, as technological, regulatory and social demands increase?

A similar topic will be tackled during BIMCO’s "Power Panel," which will debate key developments impacting shipping business today with the focus being on challenges and future prospects for the dry bulk and oil tanker shipping markets, including the 2020 global sulphur cap experiment. BIMCO’s event will be hosted by its Chief Shipping Analyst Peter Sand and BIMCO President Anastasios Papagiannopoulos.

The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) are organizing a seminar titled “Trading in US Waters: Priorities and Solutions," which will take place on Thursday, June 7. The seminar is organized in cooperation with the Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy, the Int’l Propeller Club of the United States, Int’l Port of Piraeus and the Maritime Hellas Shipping Cluster of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping. The event is designed to assist the local shipping community and maritime stakeholders to acquire a fully integrated approach to U.S. requirements for vessels visiting U.S. ports.

The 6th Analyst & Investor Day is taking place at the Divani Caravel Hotel in the framework of the Conference Program of Posidonia 2018. The keynote speaker, IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim, will set the tone of the Capital Link Forum, which will discuss the current status and future projections of the financial and capital markets in relation to the shipping industry. The forum will also address issues of critical importance to shipping, such as access to and availability to capital, bank and alternative finance, as well as the impact of technology and new regulations. 

This year the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (IENE) is organizing its seminar on “Energy and Shipping”. The particularly important role played by the Greek merchant fleet in the transportation of global energy commodities has prompted IENE to organise this pioneering event in collaboration with Posidonia and with the active participation of a number of ship operators, energy traders and leading legal firms. This year’s theme will focus on the new bunkering fuel specifications, in view of latest IMO agreed measures soon to be implemented. Other subject areas include an overview of global energy markets and the latest developments in the transportation of crude oil and petroleum derivatives, special cargoes (LNG, LPG) and coal. In addition, an assessment of energy security and the marine environment will be undertaken including alternative routes for the transportation of oil and gas.

HELMEPA’s conference, “2020 is closer than we think: Scrubbers, Fuels and BWT” reflects the impending deadline for compliance to the new sulphur regulations. With the standards for such fuels still to be formulated, and other serious concerns still remaining in regard to the availability and safety of low sulphur bunkers and scrubbers, HELMEPA’s event is expected to attract a full house of delegates. 

The "Japan Seminar at Posidonia 2018" will focus on the role of innovation in the maritime industry and its impact on environmental conservation and technology. Speakers will also share insights on the current state of innovations in Japanese Shipbuilding and Marine Machinery, as well as on market trends in the shipbuilding market. This conference is known for providing a fresh approach on how to tackle technological challenges and providing hands-on solutions to long standing problems which affect all shipping companies.

“Support the Local Maritime Industry Summit” is the title of the summit organised by Newsfront/ Naftiliaki. The aim of the event is to bring together member companies of the Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers & Exporters - HEMEXPO, and the technical directors of Greek and international shipping companies and engage them in an interactive dialogue which will benefit both Greek equipment makers, their clients and shipping at large.

One more seminar which will draw in crowds and will highlight the long-standing cooperation of the two nations in the maritime sector is the "Korean-Hellenic Maritime Cooperation Forum". This event will focus on Korean shipbuilding industry and in cooperation with Greek shipping companies and will also provide insight in Korean ship finance and Greek maritime policy. Furthermore, in the second part of the event, it will present new technologies in shipbuilding, and safety with the focus being on the ECO ship, Cyber Security and Smart Ship Technology of Korea.

Admiralty will again be organizing a series of "Living with ECDIS" seminars at Posidonia. Operating ECDIS requires a ship manager and the ship's officers to be constantly aware of changes in legal requirements and maintenance issues. Admiralty “Living with ECDIS” Seminars are designed to help understand these issues to ensure the individual and their fleet can remain compliant while getting the most from their ECDIS. 

The Press Conference of the Greek Shipowners Association will be held on the last day of Posidonia 2018.

For more information on Posidonia, please visit http://posidonia-events.com/.