Over 40 Conferences to Take Place at Posidonia 2016 Expo in June

More than 40 confirmed conferences, seminars, workshops and press conferences, covering every aspect of the shipping industry, will take place during the Posidonia 2016 exhibition at the Athens Metropolitan Expo on June 6-10.

The significance of the Posidonia Conference Programme for the global shipping community is underlined by the high profile presence of Lim Kitack, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at the Posidonia opening ceremony. He will also deliver the key-note speech at the TradeWinds Shipowners Forum, which will be held on June 7. The forum will address the most hotly debated issues including newbuildings, second-hand and demolition markets, investor sentiment and the paucity of finance, vessel valuations, the opportunities and risks of technology and the ‘connected’ ship. Delegates at the forum will have the opportunity to hear the views of influential shipowners on topics as diverse as investments, acquisitions, commodity demand and the price of oil.

Japanese Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Technology Seminar

Later in the same day, at the Japanese Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery Technology Seminar, some of the world’s most profound experts in newbuildings from Japan’s shipbuilding industry will be sharing the latest technological innovations and modern machinery deployed to design and build vessels that are technologically superior and have advanced efficiency, safety and environmental standards.

Korea-Hellenic Maritime Cooperation Forum

The oriental charm offensive will continue the next day, June 8, with the 2016 Korea-Hellenic Maritime Cooperation Forum, a new addition to the Posidonia conference programme. The Korean Embassy in association with IOBE, Greece’s Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research, will provide guests with a detailed look at the current situation and prospects of Korea’s shipbuilding industry through speeches by key figures such as SEO Young-ju, Vice President of the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association (KOSHIPA) and KIM Young-moo, Vice-Chairman of Korean Shipowners’ Association (KSA).

Ballast Water Management (BWM) Summit

An issue of increasing importance due to ongoing discussions between the US and IMO on the framework pertaining to an internationally acceptable framework for the treatment of ballast water will be debated at the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Summit organised by Newsfront / Naftiliaki under the auspices of Greece’s Marine Technical Managers Association (MARTECMA). Under the title ‘Updates on BWM’, the summit will host the views of classification societies DNV GL, ABS, LR, Rina and BV and will conclude with an Argo Navis workshop on retrofit engineering studies and installation planning.

IACS Quality Systems Certification Scheme

With constantly evolving regulation on various aspects of the shipping industry comes the need for classification societies to be ahead of the game and alert to any changes at any given moment. This is the job of the IACS Quality Systems Certification Scheme (QSCS) that helps classification societies effectively address current and impending shipping industry regulations and thereby assures shipowners and shipmanagers that IACS classed ships will be in compliance with current requirements. Posidonia conference delegates will be able to attend the IACS seminar to stay ahead of what’s coming from an international regulatory vantage point and how classification societies will best address the challenges.

Trading in US Waters

And from international waters to North America’s Atlantic and Pacific oceans for a seminar titled ‘Trading in US Waters’ organised by the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce under the auspices of the Embassy of the United States to Greece. The seminar will focus on the rules and requirements pertaining the navigation of ocean going vessels around US coasts and territorial waters in order to assist maritime stakeholders acquire a fully integrated approach to US requirements when visiting US ports.

Smart Ship Solutions

‘Smart Ship Solutions’ is the title of the Posidonia conference event that is organised by the Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers & Exporters (HEMEXPO), an organisation which aims to offer shipowners integrated solutions based on Greek innovative technologies for vessels that are built or repaired all over the world.

5^th Analyst & Investor Capital Link Shipping Forum

Solutions of a different kind will be presented at the 5^th Analyst & Investor Capital Link Shipping Forum, which addresses the issue of access and availability of finance for shipping companies. Participants will exchange views on the shipping, financial and capital markets, private equity as well as investor attitudes towards shipping.

Poseidon Med II awareness seminar

A practical roadmap towards the adoption of LNG as a safe, environmental friendly and viable alternative fuel for shipping, contributing to the development of a lower emission profile for the East Mediterranean marine transportation sector will be in the spotlight of the Poseidon Med II awareness seminar on June 7. The 26 partners of Poseidon Med II from Greece, Cyprus and Italy will discuss LNG supply, technical and financial aspects of the LNG bunkering, raising awareness to the latest innovations and trends in the market.

Green shipping: Where is Shipping heading after COP21

Staying with the theme of green shipping, an international conference titled ‘Where is Shipping heading after COP21’ will be held by HELMEPA on Wednesday, June 8, with an impressive array of speakers from the IMO, the European Commission, ICS, IACS, INTERTANKO, INTERCARGO and USCG. Following the adoption of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, last December, this conference will explore how international shipping can further contribute to global efforts to address climate change.

UKHO ECDIS seminar

Not to be missed are the UKHO ECDIS seminars, which are designed to ensure that the navigational benefits of ECDIS are achieved in an efficient and compliant manner but will also demonstrate how ECDIS goes beyond compliance. Titled “Implementing ECDIS” and “Living with ECDIS”, the two seminars will take place every day from Tuesday 7/6 to Thursday 9/6 in the UKHO sponsored Posidonia Seminar Room 3.

Seminars for maritime community

Finally on Friday, June 10, the last day of the programme, two more seminars will attract the interest of the maritime community present at the Posidonia 2016. The Hellenic Management Association will offer an interactive course titled ‘Master The Seas’ through a marine management framework designed by EFQM and The Carbon War Room will organise a panel discussion that explores the technological and financial opportunities for applying green solutions to the international maritime fleet.

Young Executives Shipping (YES) Forum

The inaugural Young Executives Shipping (YES) Forum, sponsored by Posidonia, will highlight potential career opportunities in the maritime sector for young professionals and graduates, both at sea and ashore. The YES Forum aims at serving as an open and long-lasting dialogue among the principals and decision makers of the shipping Industry and university students.

Posidonia 2016 is organised under the auspices of the Greek shipping community and the five major associations representing Greek shipping interests: Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, Municipality of Piraeus, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, Union of Greek Shipowners, Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee, Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association and Association of Passenger Shipping Companies.