CONFERENCE REPORT
The work of the 15th Maritime Conference, co-organized by the Maritime newspaper MARITIME ECONOMIES, and the Institute of Maritime & Economic Strategy, on the subject of
2023, Sailing in a new Geo-economics Era
The effect of the World Energy Crisis in Seaborne Trade
and the role of Geopolitics on the Future of the Shipping Industry
The central concept of the Conference was to discuss the issues of Geopolitical disruption and how these, combined with the global energy crisis, affect international Shipping.
Among the distinguished speakers were representatives of Shipping companies as well as distinguished Academicians and prominent executives of the Shipping industry.
The Conference started with the excellent speech of capt. Dimitris Matthaiou, CEO at Arcadia Shipmanagement Co Ltd. & Aegean Bulk Co Inc., Chairman at Green Award Foundation.
In his speech, he referred to recent statistics on the degree of influence of fares both in the Tanker sector and in the dry cargo sector, analyzing historically the course of the markets from the beginning of the health crisis until today. Connecting Geopolitics with Geoeconomics, he came to the conclusion that in a market that transports 90% of all goods on the planet, maritime trade is inextricably linked to international trade which in turn is affected by the general development in each Economic zone.
Closing with optimism but also realism, he gave safe predictions and directions to all who have a shipping company at their helm.
The conference was divided into official greetings and three main Sessions.
In the 1st Session, the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis, with the Deputy Minister of Shipping of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Dimitriadis, discussed in a thorough conversation, issues related to the areas of their port policy, the strategic development of the Register, the influence of the two states in the European Union for the formulation of European policy, as well as issues related to the competitiveness of Shipping, following the recent geopolitical disturbances in the Black Sea.
Both of them being at the end of a successful government project, they "farewelled" the maritime public with a project report which for both highlighted a huge and beneficial project.
The coordinator of the first Session was Mr. Angelos Pantouvakis
"THE OWNERS OPINION"
In the 2nd Session entitled "THE OWNERS OPINION", we had the participation of:
Mr. Charalampos Simantonis, CEO of Silvermar Management & Trading Co & President of H.S.S.A.
Mr. Eddie Valentis, CEO of Pyxis Tankers
Mr. George Gourdomichalis, Managing Director of Phoenix Shipping & Trading SA
Mr. George Alexandratos, CEO of APOLLONIAN LINES
In a very interesting discussion moderated by Mrs. Dorothea Ioannou, Chief Executive Officer at Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc, Managers of the American P&I Club, the reservations of the Shipping community about how the Geopolitical crises combined with the slowdown of Global Economy, will leave Shipping unaffected. ¨There are also intense concerns about whether we are all ready for a smooth energy transition, which also extends to the strict regulations on marine fuels.
"THE CEO'S OPINION"
In the 3rd Session entitled "THE CEO's OPINION", we had the participation of:
Mr. Harris Kosmatos, Corporate Development Officer, of Tsakos Energy
Mr. John Platsidakis, Honorary Chairman INTERCARGO.
Mr. Fotis N. Dalmyras, CEO of Andriaki Shipping Ltd.
Mr. Marcos C. Vassilikos, Managing Director Eurobulk.
Moderated by the honorable Mrs. Alexandra Gana, Director of GANA SHIPPING and member of EKO Shipping of the Netherlands, the speakers wondered whether a world that for environmental reasons rejects oil, can affect the Tanker market. On the same wavelength, it was emphasized that the first sector that was actually severely affected by the Ukrainian Crisis was the SHORT SEA, as Short Sea Shipping served trades in the Black Sea regions.
Of particular interest was the discussion on whether the two listed companies of the panel were ultimately left or not during the crisis period and whether the non-listed companies would follow the path of the stock exchanges.
With opinions that supported the merits of both options, the 3rd session and the entire Conference was concluded.
