Positively Posidonia

Posidonia 2002 is the 18th biennial International Shipping Exhibition at Piraeus, Athens, and as usual the organisers expect to break all records for attendance. The Motor Ship will be on hand, and visitors can pick up a copy of the magazine at our stand, number 807.

Its organisers are probably justified in describing Posidonia as “five days of non-stop business and social activity”. The week kicks off with the 2002 Posidonia Congress, on the Monday, followed by four days of the exhibition.

Posidonia Congress 2002

The Posidonia Congress on June 3 will address broad economic, trade and energy issues, at this time of international change and a globalised economy. The impact of these developments on sea transportation will be assessed by a panel of speakers who will give a global view of world trade and the challenges that the shipping industry faces.

In the afternoon session, leading industry personalities will evaluate the public image of the shipping industry and the perceptions and misconceptions that surround it.

Keynote addresses will be by George Anomeritis, Greek Minister of Mercantile Marine, and Loyola de Palacio, Vice President of the European Commission.

Other speakers will include: Dr. Kenneth Courtis, vice chairman ? Asia, Goldman Sachs; Phillipe Louis-Dreyfus, President of the French Shipowners? Association; Stelios Haji-Ioannou, chairman of easyGroup; KH Koo, chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners? Association; Harald Kuznik, head of shipping, Landesbank Schleswig-Holstein Girozentrale; Tom Mangold, senior investigative reporter, BBC TV Current Affairs; and Nicholas Tsakos, chairman of Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA).

Posidonia 2000

In 2000, Posidonia attracted 1,420 exhibiting companies from 65 countries and 28,750 visitors. Total exhibition area was 23,000m2. This year?s edition should be even bigger.

There were national pavilions from Australia, Belize, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Japan, Korea, Liberia, Malta, the Netherlands, Panama, Romania, Russia, Turkey, United Kingdom and the USA.

Other countries represented included Albania, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Czech Republic, Egypt, Fuji Islands, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, China, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Vietnam, Republic of Yemen and Yugoslavia.

Other events

For the first time, Posidonia Exhibitions in association with the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club is organising a sailing race that will take place at Faliron Bay, near Athens and Piraeus, on 31 May 2002 ? the Friday before the opening of Posidonia Week.

The Posidonia Cup event will feature the participation of Britain?s Ellen MacArthur, who finished second in the Vendée Globe 2000 single handed non-stop round the world yacht race and who last year, at 24, was the youngest-ever FICO Lacoste World Champion skipper. She will take part in the Posidonia Cup contest as a crew member on a one of the competing boats, chosen by draw.

There will be 18 teams of sailors from the shipping industry battling it out for supremacy. Companies that have registered for the Posidonia Cup include Chuguko Marine Paints, Clarksons, Kristen Navigation, Cup sponsor MagGregor, and Vector Informatics Systems.

The Greek-owned fleet

Greek owners control 155 million tonnes of cargo-carrying capacity, more than any other national group and 17% of total world tonnage. There are 3,500 Greek-flagged ships, accounting for more than 40% of all merchant shipping sailing under European Community flags.

Greek operators bought more than $2 billion-worth of second hand vessels during 2000, and had another $10 billion on order (286 newbuildings) as of February 2001.

The Greek-owned fleet

consumes $4 billion a year in repairs, drydocking, equipment renewals and general maintenance.

Sponsors

Posidonia 2002 is organised under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine, the Municipality of Piraeus and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping.

The week is supported by the five major associations representing Greek shipowner interests: the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee, the Union of Shipowners of Mediterranean Cargo Vessels, the Greek Shipowners Association for Passenger Ships and the Union of Coastal Passengership Owners.