Leading experts will set the global maritime agenda in Athens June 3-7
Posidonia 2024, the world’s most prestigious maritime exhibition, will kick off June 3-7 at the Athens Metropolitan Expo for a week packed with more than 65 thought-provoking and informative seminars and conferences where a wide range of distinguished industry leaders he industry and policymakers will cover a range of critical topics shaping the future of shipping.
With Posidonia known as the home of shipping, the “TradeWinds Shipowners Forum” is once again expected to attract much of the attention. This year, the forum will look at the role of shipowners, charterers, financiers and regulators in promoting a new paradigm in the context of geopolitical turmoil, economic flux and considerations linked to the climate crisis. Prominent leaders such as Katerina Bodouroglou, Dr. John Coustas, Angeliki Frangou, Evangelos Marinakis, Leon Patitsas, Charis Plakantonaki, Alexander Saverys, Mikael Skov, Dr. Nikolas Tsakos, Harry Vafias, Chris Wiernicki and others will explore the need for technologies advanced technology and environmentally friendly fuels versus the need for shipping companies to maintain strong financial health. The forum will also feature an exclusive session featuring Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill Ocean Transportation.
Coinciding with World Environment Day, the “HELMEPA Conference” will look at sustainability and climate issues impacting the industry. High-level experts will discuss the impact of climate change on maritime operations, promoting awareness and sustainability strategies. The conference will feature a high-level panel discussion – exclusively aimed at shipowners – to explore the multifaceted impacts of climate change on global shipping, covering both operational challenges and financial implications, promoting awareness and triggering concrete strategies to resilience and sustainability.
Sustainability will be at the center of the “Greener Shipping Summit 2024”. Themed « New Technologies and Education », the one-day summit, organized by Newsfront/Naftiliaki and supported by MARTECMA (Marine Technical Managers Association), will host panel discussions focused on managing the next generation of ships, the education for the future of shipping and green transportation technology. Personalities such as Dimitris Fafalios, Panos Kourkountis, David Taylor, Dimitris Fokas, Venetia Kallipolitou, Panos Zachariadis and others will contribute their ideas on a wide range of topics covering technology, employment, energy transition, digitalization, onboard training and education, artificial intelligence as well as maritime education threat and tool, energy efficient new and used ships, carbon capture and many more.
The 9th Maritime Leaders Summit, hosted by Capital Link, yet another high-profile event under the auspices of Posidonia, will be titled “Dashing Ahead – Leadership in Action”. This year’s Maritime Leaders Summit will provide invaluable insights on critical industry topics and highlight the sector’s impact on the global economy. In partnership with ABS (American Bureau of Shipping), the summit expects record participation from industry leaders, including prominent Greek and international shipowners. Critical industry topics will be covered regarding the sector’s profound impact on the global economy and the business dynamics behind the thought leadership that shapes industry discourse and direction.
And with recent geopolitical upheavals on major shipping routes, supply chain disruptions, port bottlenecks and security concerns, the “Greece Marine Insurance Conference” is expected to attract many delegates to Athens also the week before Posidonia, providing a platform where brokers, insurers and industry experts will discuss the latest marine insurance trends and challenges affecting the region. The welcome party is sponsored by Polygreen SA, a leading provider of environmentally friendly solutions for the maritime industry.
Other key events include the “Japan Challenges” seminar, which will focus on greenhouse gas reduction measures and alternative fuels towards decarbonization, organized by the Japan Ship Exporters’ Association, and the 4th US Waters Commerce Seminar “Future Trends and Innovations in the Maritime Sector,” which will discuss geopolitical developments impacting global shipping and explore future trends and innovations in the maritime sector, including digitalization and decarbonization. The US Seminar is organized by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AmChamGR), the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), the US Embassy in Athens with the support of the Int’l Propeller Club of the States United States, International Port of Piraeus and Hellenic Chamber of Shipping – Maritime Hellas Shipping Cluster. Additionally, a “SHARK TANK: Innovative American Maritime Technology Competition” will be held during Posidonia Week and the jury includes many prominent officials and industry leaders, including George J. Tsunis, U.S. Ambassador to Hellenic Republic, George Pateras, president. , Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and Vice President of Contships Management Inc., Costis Frangoulis, President of the International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus and CEO, Franman, Panos Xenokostas, President and CEO of ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Group and President of the Hellenic Shipyards Association, Semiramis Paliou, CEO, Diana Shipping & President, HELMEPA & INTERMEPA, and others.
Another official participation will be the “4th Korea-Hellenic Maritime Cooperation Forum”, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Industrial and Economic Research Foundation (IOBE). This event serves as a platform for esteemed experts and businessmen from Korea and Greece to engage in fruitful discussions regarding maritime and shipping policies and the latest advancements in environmentally friendly shipping and shipbuilding technologies. of the environment.
Posidonia 2024 delegates will also receive updates on the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) at a seminar which will provide an overview of the inclusion of the maritime sector in the EU ETS and its implications for shipowners. Macquarie Group, a global financial services provider, has been actively participating in the EU ETS for over a decade and will host the event.
Nuclear energy in the maritime sector, a presentation of fission and fusion is the title of the seminar organized by the Greek branch of SNAME. This will involve determining whether nuclear energy is a viable and possible option for ships. The panel will include the CEOs of Fliber (pioneer of molten salt reactor technology) and nT-tao (compact fusion energy) as well as major ship owners, who will discuss whether nuclear power is the path to follow.
Crew management will be in the spotlight at the Crew Insights @ Posidonia 2024 conference, organized by Kyvernitis Leading Travel Companies. The event will focus specifically on facets of crewing and human resource management within the shipping industry and is designed to bring together thought leaders, innovators and policy makers to discuss and exchange ideas that will shape the future of crew management. The conference will feature three focused panel discussions over the course of an afternoon, each filled with insights from some of the industry’s most esteemed professionals.
In Europe, the event “POLAND – Thinking differently about the maritime industry”, organized by the Polish Embassy, will cover thematic blocks such as Polish seaports, renewable energies, shipbuilding and maritime logistics, highlighting value the country’s role in the maritime industry. . The seminar is organized in cooperation with the Polish Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Infrastructure, Economic Development and Technology.
Experts and market participants will come together to discuss the impact of geopolitics, changing business dynamics and the energy transition on shipping markets at the S&P Global Commodity Insights Forum. They will focus on issues related to increasing geopolitical tensions and their impact on the dynamics of commodity trade and freight markets.
During the three sessions of the “UES: The Ferry Experience” seminar series, participants will focus on improving the passenger and operator experience during ferry travel, providing insight into seat design and operational considerations. UES, a leading provider of ferry seating solutions, will showcase its latest innovations and achievements.
With such a robust and diverse program of knowledge sharing events, Posidonia 2024 promises to be an unprecedented gathering of industry leaders, fostering dialogue and innovation to propel the shipping industry into a future sustainable and prosperous for the global maritime community.
Posidonia 2024 is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and the Union of Greek Shipowners and with the support of the Municipality of Piraeus and the Greek Maritime Cooperation Committee.
