Annual Conference and Exposition in Stamford, Connecticut
A gathering of over 2,400 industy leaders, owners and ship managers, conrolling over 5,000 attended this year’s CMA Shipping. The[ds_preview] Connecticut Maritime Association is a non-profit organization built by its members for its members. It is an Association made of individuals representing every aspect of shipping and international trade.
For the past 26 years the trade show and conference in Stamford, Connecticut has dealt with the commanding issues of the day, provided a dynamic commercial market place for products and services and brought together the international leaders of the shipping industry to seriously address opportunities and challenges from environmental regulations, piracy to burgeoning trade with China and employment.
At a time when the industry has become more complicated, more regulated, more expensive, the repercussions on each $100 million decision are enormous. Practical updates on the most important operational, commercial and environmental issues of the day were adressed. In the wake of two years of tough times the event showed optimistic sometimes enthusiastic participants.
In his keynote Congressman Frank Labiondo, chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation played to the audiance the pro-industry card. »I am here to listen to the experts,« he said. »Washington is loaded with experts, but they don’t live in the real world.« Adressing the poor condition of US ports and infrastructure Labiondo asked for more funds to be released to improve the situation.
Bureau Veritas EVP Bernard Anne not only gave an optimistic outlook while adressing the coference delagates, but also had a fact to proof his his believes. With Inspectorate Bureau Veritas recently acquired one of the largerst inspection and testin groups for € 500 million. The transaction which positions Bureau Veritas among the top three global leaders in commodities testing and inspection, a global market with a potential estimated at over € 5 billion, with promising growth opportunities.
Angeliki Frangou, Chairman & CEO of the Navios group of companies has been named as the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) Commodore for the year 2011. Beth Wilson-Jordan, President of the CMA stated »Ms. Frangou has consistently demonstrated superior business judgment and integrity which has allowed her to grow an international group of companies and provide consistent value to her stakeholders. Ms. Frangou joins an elite community of leaders who been honored in the past as Commodores. Ms. Frangou’s vision is demonstrated perhaps most conclusively in 2004, when she adopted a little known vehicle, called a SPAC, to raise significant funds from the public markets. Subsequently, she acquired Navios and has since built Navios into a leading company in the shipping industry. The group now controls 95 vessels (73 bulkers and 22 tankers) and a growing logistics company in South America. We are delighted to have her join the distinguished community of Commodores.«
