The General Manager of NAFTEMPORIKI, Yannis Perlepes, welcomed the delegates and set the tone of the forum by saying that we often declare, correctly and proudly, that Greek shipping is world first. What we need to emphasize is that this leading role is not the result of circumstances, but the result of the continuous effort of all members of the Greek shipping community. And thanks to this continuous effort this primacy is durable in time.

In her conference opening speech Irini Athanassiadou, Chairwoman and CEO of the daily “NAFTEMPORIKI” marked that the newspaper is inseparably attached with the shipping industry since its foundation nine decades ago. She, also, underlined that the 1st Maritime Forum inaugurates a set of upcoming conferences that will be organized by “NAFTEMPORIKI / conferences”.

In his Forum speech the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners Theodore E. Veniamis stressed that the Greek owned shipping will remain based here in Greece and that is above and beyond political party affiliations. It greatly contributes to the Greek economy and will continue to do so under one non negotiable condition:  respect to the existing framework of operation from all parties concerned, given the fact that it allows Greek shipping to stay competitive on a world scale.

In his Forum speech the Minister of Finance Gikas Hardouvelis commented on the need of the completion of the final programme evaluation until the deadline of February 28, in order the installment of 7, 2 billion of Euros to be released, while at the same time he, particularly, stressed the necessity of the continuation of reform programme.

The President of the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) Thomas Rehder portrayed the present European shipping industry situation, highlighting that the European fleet consist of 40% of world’s merchant fleet, creating, directly or indirectly, to more than 2, 3 million jobs, with a contribution of over 145 billion Euros to European GDP.

Leonidas Dimitriadis-Eugenides President & Managing Director, Eugenides Group of Companies, President, Eugenides Foundation, underlined, among other, that the Greek shipping throughout time has supported economy in all respects, overcoming all obstacles, respectively, faced by every businessman that wishes to invest in Greece.

Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, The Minister of Shipping and the Aegean, referred to the work done by the Ministry, underlying that he himself strived to build a relation of trust with the shipping community, while at the same time he aimed to the formation of new perspectives for shipping industry and the notable rise in the number of young people being employed in the Greek owned shipping.

Panos Laskaridis, Managing Director, Laskaridis Shipping Co. Ltd., in reference to the attempts made by the Greek shipping to support economic activity through various sectors, mentioned the contribution to GDP (approximately 8% in 2014), the amelioration of current balance of payments, the employment opportunities, contribution to various social works, and finally to investments on land.

Introduction, George Xiradakis,
CEO, XRTC Business Consultants Ltd

Chief Market Economist of Eurobank Group Platon Monokroussos mentioned that shipping industry is a high tech sector with a yearly contribution to GDP of 7% approximately. He, also, underlined that the perspectives of this sector seem to be positive, if the trend of economy globalization continues.

Meyer "Sandy" Frucher, Vice Chairman of Nasdaq in his remarks said that Nasdaq is not merely an exchange market, but, also, a high tech company. He added that Nasdaq has “faith” in Greece and the shipping industry. He underlined emphatically that “We trust the world interconnection that you in Greece are offering.”

In his remarks, Ted Petropoulos, Head of Petrofin Research PSMI, Greece, said that in the last years there have been rearrangements regarding the ways of banks financing shipping industry. He added that there is a continuous decline in financing lion-share hold by the European banks, against that of rising by their counterparts in the Far East.

Coordinator:

Antonis Tsimplakis, Journalist, NAFTEMPORIKI

Yiorgos Anomeritis, President & Managing Director, Piraeus Port Authority SA, referred to strategic moves that must be adopted, within the framework of a new developmental port policy. Particularly, he advocated that state monopoly cannot be substituted with a private one, adding that the transformation of the Greek port system must be based onto a European paradigm, where 97% of ports belong to state, to municipalities, to chambers and users, while their operation is provided through concession contracts by private sector.

Dr. Ioannis Mertzanis, Executive Vice President of Space Hellas, talked about innovative technological solutions that are being currently used by the shipping industry. He announced a new strategic partnership with Microsoft, underlining that Space Hellas could provide integrated cost effective and use-as-you-go solutions.

Dorothea Ioannou, Managing Director, SCB Hellas & Representative of the American Club, said that 10 out of 13 P&I Club Members have office in Greece and 75% of their employees are Greeks. P&I Clubs are willing to invest in Greece and in the sector, signalling, thus, their trust and support to the Greek shipping industry.

Ilias Tsakiris, CEO, Hellenic Hull Management (HMA) Limited, referred to the future of shipping industry and P&I market, stressing that only the 0, 2% of Greek ship owner insurance cost is directed to Greek insurance market. He underlined the need for a change of this situation, adding that the Greek ship owning is capable of changing the future of shipping industry on a worldwide scale.

Eleni Polychronopoulou, President, HEMEXPO, talked about the Greek industry of maritime equipment, the existing industry situation and future perspectives. Particularly, she mentioned that the target was set in achieving of getting a notable share of the world market pertaining to maritime equipment.

Athina Vezyri, Chairwoman & CEO, SRH Marine Greece, Director, Comité International Radio-Maritime (CIRM), talked about satellite and other related communication technologies, future trends and perspectives into coming decades and their impact to the shipping industry.

Professor of Finance and candidate MP with SYRIZA Giorgos Stathakis underlined that there will be no surprise changes to the existing framework of operation when SYRIZA comes to power. Responding to an audience question, he added that whatever perspective changes will be the outcome of a consultation procedure.

Dr. Martin Stopford, President, Clarkson Research, analyzed the international trade and future trends on shipping, stressing that the future lies in smart shipping and innovative technology applications.