Koreans announce deals as China and Japan meet Greek shipowners             5/6/2008

Posidonia 2008 exhibitors in upbeat mood as show sees record trade visitors’ number

Asian shipbuilders have demonstrated their muscle in this year’s Posidonia shipping exhibition which today saw the traditional biennial group visit of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) headed by President Nicos Efthymiou. As a strong UGS delegation toured the show’s 525 stands and 21 national pavilions, new business activities on the exhibition floor reached fever pitch with Korea signing orders for 34 ships worth in excess of US$ 5 billion.

While the Koreans declined to reveal further details, China’s Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd (CSSC) through its Director of Administration Department, Mr Cao Minghua revealed that the company has held talks with one of Greece’s biggest shipowners, John Aggelikousis, who heads Kristen Navigation, Anangel Maritime and Maran Gas commanding a total portfolio of 60 vessels. No further details were made available.

Greek shipowners also showed a strong interest to meet with the Japanese delegation and they turned up in big numbers at Japan’s official Posidonia reception last night. Captain P.N. Tsakos was among the guests at the InterContinental hotel and high ranking officials from Samos Shipping Company, Goulandris Maritime Inc. and Themamaris were also sighted. “We are very eager to build stronger relations with the Greek shipowning community and tonight’s gathering is the ideal platform to promote Japan’s significant shipbuilding potential,” said Hiroyuki Noda, Acting Manager, Sumitomo Heavy Industries (SHI).

“Once again, Posidonia has lived up to its reputation as a business-clinching forum for the global maritime industry,” said Themistocles Vokos, Chairman, Posidonia Exhbitions S.A. the event’s organiser. “Shipping is a major driver of the global economy and Greece’s shipowning community is the captain of this industry. Posidonia is simply the common denominator linking suppliers to buyers and connecting the world’s seafaring nations in a biennial B2B forum.”

Posidonia 2008 is expected to set a new visitors record as more than 10,000 shipping professionals have already walked the exhibition’s floor in the first two days of the show which this year hosts 1,710 exhibitors and extends to 28,100 square metres at the Hellenikon Exhibition Centre (HEC). The exhibition closes tomorrow (Friday June 6th).

Posidonia 2008 is sponsored by the 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.

The 2008 Posidonia Press Office is sponsored by Dubai Maritime City

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