Navigating Uncharted Waters in the Face of Global Challenges with Greek Shipping Taking the Centre Stage
From its beginning, almost 60 years ago, “Posidonia” evolved as the world’s most prestigious and influential maritime event.
Posidonia 2024 will be the biggest ever in their long history, as the safety and resilience of the international maritime community take center stage during a crucial year underpinned by a complex volatile backdrop of widespread ongoing geopolitical conflicts and the enforcement of environmental regulations.
Over 2,000 exhibitors and 40,000 visitors are expected to converge in Athens’ Metropolitan Expo Centre from 3 to 7 June which is set to emerge as the centre of global shipping for navigating challenges and fostering crucial dialogue to shape the future of maritime trade.
Theodore Vokos, Managing Director, Posidonia Exhibitions S.A. said:
«This year’s «Posidonia» timing is perfect, as it will be held at a time when many parameters affecting shipping will have to be discussed and new initiatives will be launched. The last couple of years have been geopolitically challenging, with new crises erupting around the globe and shipping having to adapt to new challenges every six months. New technologies will be showcased, and fuel options will be once again discussed at Posidonia 2024, as the industry rushes to meet the 2030 and 2050 environmental goals».
As the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) took a leading role in the “Shaping the Future of Shipping: Delivering a Net Zero World” Summit, organised in the sidelines of COP 28 by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), it becomes evident that this summer Greek shipping will lead the way in tackling the issues and challenges global shipping and the global economy face towards a net zero world. UGS President Melina Travlos stressed shipping’s core message about the sector’s decarbonization.
The extended Posidonia Conference and Seminars programme, including forums like the Tradewinds Shipowners Forum and the HELMEPA Conference, which attract the most senior shipowners from around the globe, will address the most critical issues in the industry.
The Greener Shipping Summit, organised by Naftiliaki/Newsfront under the auspices of MARTECMA, the Marine Technical Managers Association, which comprises the technical directors of the biggest shipping companies of Greece, brings a focus on evaluating new technologies and their potential use by shipping companies. The conference programme starts the week before, with the «Marine Insurance Greece» Conference. It will be focused on bringing brokers, insurers and third parties together with the Greek shipowner community to discuss all aspects of marine insurance, which must adapt to a constantly changing geopolitical environment.
Posidonia Games
With over 4,000 shipping professionals expected to participate the featuring events like the Posidonia Cup Sailing Race, Posidonia Running Event, Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament, Posidonia Golf Tournament, and Posidonia 3×3 Basketball Tournament, they have abundant networking opportunities.
Posidonia 2024 is organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and the Union of Greek Shipowners and with the support of the Municipality of Piraeus and the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee.
More than 50 years of Posidonia
The idea to create Posidonia goes all the way back to 1965, when Theodore Vokos, journalist and founder of Naftiliaki–Naftergatiki, together with his friend Richard (Dick) Stubbs, a PR specialist, identified the potential for organizing a shipping exhibition in Greece. They both believed that there was a need to promote the strength of Greek shipping and show the importance of the Greek fleet to the international shipping Industry.
The exhibition was held for the first time in 1969 at Zappeio Megaro, with the participation of 80 shipyards and shipping companies from 15 countries. IN 1970, the management decided to organize Posidonia every two years, in June. Over the years, the world’s most prestigious shipping trade event scaled new heights.
The exhibitors increased significantly and Posidonia reached 1964 exhibitors from 88 countries, in 2022, a record year. Posidonia as an exhibition of enormous scope, contributes both to the country’s economy and to the creation of a positive image of Greece abroad and promotes the city of Athens, but also the country, as a destination for important international events.
