POSIDONIA REACHES HISTORIC HEIGHTS                 29/5/2008

WORLD’S SHIPPING SHOWPIECE OPENS IN ATHENS NEXT WEEK

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 Policy described as the most extraordinary shipping industry gathering in history.

Speaking at a press conference in Piraeus today, Minister Mr George Voulagarakis 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 Nicos 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.

For additional information, press enquiries should be directed to: Stavi Spanou, Press Officer, tel.: +30 210 9604200, e-mail: spanous@perse.gr Theodore Vokos, Project Manager, tel.: +30 210 4283608, e-mail: tnv@posidonia-events.com

The Posidonia 2008 Press Office is sponsored by Dubai Maritime City

Posidonia Events