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Posidonia reaches historic heights: World’s shipping showpiece opens in Athens next week |
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Friday, 30 May 2008 |
 The global maritime community is converging to Athens en masse next week as the world’s most international shipping exhibition is gearing up for its 21st edition. With over 1,700 confirmed participants from 80 countries, 21 national pavilions and an exhibition floor spanning a one-level area of 28,100 square metres at the Hellenikon Exhibition Centre (HEC), Posidonia 2008 is opening its gates on June 2nd for what the Greek Minister of Mercantile Marine, the Aegean and Island Polic
described as the most extraordinary shipping industry gathering in history.
Speaking at a press conference in Piraeus today, Minister Mr George
Voulgarakis said: “This promises to be a truly landmark occasion for
the global shipping industry. Posidonia has always captivated the
interest of seafaring nations as a traditional networking and business
forum for the marine sector. But this year’s event is set to be the
most successful Posidonia in over four decades of history and its
appeal overshadows that of any other shipping gathering anywhere in the
world.”
In his welcome to the press, Deputy Minister Mr Panagiotis Kammenos
said: «We all wish that Posidonia 2008 will become the stimulus for new
investments, will bring together businessmen from all over the world
and that it will form the ground for the further growth of the
Worldwide and the Great Hellenic Shipping Industry.
«All the above will be accomplished with respect to the same values and
principles which elevated the Hellenic maritime tradition, with the
same love and devotion to – the greatest capital regarding shipping-
our seamen, the sea and the environment.»
Leading international companies representing the full spectrum of
shipping and vertical sectors including shipbuilding and repairyards,
shipbrokers, insurance, P&I Clubs, banks, port authorities,
classification societies, shipping surveyors, vessel registration,
suppliers, high-tech equipment and technical support will exhibit at
the four-day event which is slated for an official opening by the Greek
Minister of Mercantile Marine, the Aegean and Island Policy, Mr George
Voulgarakis.
Mr Nikos Efthymiou, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, (UGS),
described Posidonia as the barometre of the global shipping industry.
“The strong interest for Posidonia 2008 is a solid indication of the
anticipated growth of the global marine industry and testimony of the
might of the Greek owned fleet which controls 4,200 ships, in the water
and on order, of some 229m dwt. Every two years Posidonia sets the tone
and the benchmark for what it is to follow in the coming years in terms
of order books and shipbuilding activity in particular.
“Shipping is one of the European Union’s economic pillars and by far
the most successful sector of the Greek economy. It’s only fitting that
Posidonia, the best ambassador of our industry, is held biennially in
the cradle of western civilization and the country which pioneered sea
travel and sea transportation,” said Efthymiou.
A 100-seat seminar room is available to all exhibitors within the HEC
to facilitate seminars, workshops and press conferences. Some major
announcements are anticipated during the show as the world’s biggest
shipping registers, including Lloyd's Register, DNV and Germanischer
Lloyd, have already scheduled press conferences. More announcements are
expected by the Union of Greek Shipowners, The General Consulate of
Panama, the Irish Maritime Development Office, the Korean Register of
Shipping and the Polish Register of Shipping.
Speaking on behalf of the event’s organisers, Themistocles Vokos,
Chairman, Posidonia Exhibitions said that this year’s show has exceeded
all expectations and broken any previous record. “Posidonia is now
officially the most prestigious and sought after shipping industry
forum. By connecting the international maritime community, showcasing
the latest technological innovations, debating environmental
initiatives and highlighting future trends, Posidonia is the catalyst
of developments taking shape in the global economy’s most influential
growth drivers.”
The Posidonia week officially kicks off tomorrow Friday 30th May with
the Posidonia Cup, the sailing race first introduced 6 years ago and
has since evolved into a showpiece sailing calendar event. A record 67
crews have confirmed participation in this year’s Aegean regatta, which
is again sponsored by Lloyd’s Register.
On Saturday, May 31st, the global shipping community will have the
chance to meet at the football stadium of Greek Superleague champions
Olympiakos for the 1st Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament, which will
pitch 15 teams from various companies in a round robin tournament
designed as a networking and socialising event.
On Monday June 2nd, the official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held
in an invitation-only event and next day, on Tuesday June 3rd,
Posidonia will open its floor for business. Posidonia 2008 concludes on
Friday 6th June.
Posidonia 2008 is sponsored by the Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine,
The Aegean and Island Policy, the Municipality of Piraeus, the Hellenic
Chamber of Shipping, the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Greek Shipping
Co-operation Committee, the Mediterranean Cargo Vessels Shipowners
Union, the Association of Greek Coastal Shipping Companies and the
Association of Greek Passenger Shipping Companies.
Source: Posidonia Exhibitions
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