Backed by the business of Hellenic shipping companies, the high-ranking biannual maritime event Posidonia is growing, too
The increased demand for participation has resulted in the addition of 1,000m2 of exhibitor floor space. The growth is derived[ds_preview] from a strong Greek order book for newbuildings and upgrades of the existing fleet to modernize ICT standards and meet ever stringent environmental regulations, the organizers say. »Posidonia’s strength and appeal is drawn by the collective quality and reputation of its exhibitors, delegates and visitors, debutants or repeaters,« said Theodore Vokos, Executive Director, Posidonia Exhibitions S.A.
At the beginning of 2018 already, the trade show, starting on June 4, running until June 8 at the Athens Metropolitan Expo, was »cruising full speed ahead to yet another record-breaking year with space bookings already up by 10% compared to the same time two years ago and over 90% of exhibition floor already committed«, it was stated. Organizers projected that over 1,850 companies will exhibit their products and services at this year’s event and visitor numbers will rise to 22,000.
»A key attraction remains the strong presence of the powerful Greek shipowning community at every Posidonia, which is leading global newbuilding activity with 61 Greek companies having ships on order worth an estimated 16 bn $.« said Vokos.
Over 260 ships built to high specs, with many of them Tier II and Tier III compliant are on order for Greek interests at the dawn of 2018, 105 of them contracted in 2017. The spending spree is also regulation driven and stems from the recent ratification of the ballast water treatment treaty and type approvals by the US Coast Guard, as well as new regulations regarding SOX and NOX emissions and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification requirements, which have speeded up investment in scrubbers, LNG fueled ships and digitalization of operations.
This flurry in newbuilding orders and fleet upgrades is drawing the maritime industry to Posidonia 2018 in bigger numbers than ever before with space bookings or expressions of interest surpassing any previously set event record.
Once more the exhibition space will be dominated by some 20 national pavilions and especially the leading shipbuilding nations, such as the traditional Far Eastern power houses of China, Japan and South Korea. Maritime Centers such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and many others will once more present their range of services, long-standing exhibitors such as the USA, UK, Denmark and the Netherlands will field greater participations.
But, according to Vokos, national participation is not reserved only for traditional maritime nations, as Posidonia welcomes newcomers such as Luxembourg and agricultural economies like Georgia, while Poland will also make its debut. The majority of flag states will also be present.
»Among the new highlights we count the Greek pavilion organized by HEMEXPO which will span over 400 m2 of exhibition space with the mission to promote Greek engineering and experienced maritime solutions. The Greek presence is complemented by a second Greek pavilion, organized by the Worldwide Industrial & Marine Association (WIMA), representing Greek companies active in ship construction, ship spare parts & supplies, ship technical and general services and marine equipment manufacturing«, the manager adds.
Posidonia is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, the Union of Greek Shipowners and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and with the support of the Municipality of Piraeus and the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee.
