Posidonia 2020 closes in on new exhibitor record

Posidonia 2020

Low sulphur solution providers and high-tech software makers drive demand

The most prestigious shipping exhibition returns next June to Athens, where thousands of visitors and exhibitors will meet and debate for the first time after the January 2020 IMO deadline for the implementation of its controversial emissions-curbing regulations.

One of the key questions eagerly awaiting an answer at Posidonia 2020 is what impact the first six months of low sulphur regulations implementation will have had on the spirits of an otherwise high-flying sector, which transports 95% of global trade. Have fleet operators done enough to comply? Is the new fuel supply adequate and available worldwide? At what cost to the industry? Who wins and who stands to lose?

And that’s not all. As the true bellwether of the global maritime industry and home to the world’s biggest shipping community, Posidonia 2020 will roll out the carpet for decision-makers from around the world to network with Greece’s shipowners.
“With the Greek fleet running an orderbook of over 200 ships of all categories, Posidonia is the ideal platform for shipyards, manufacturers and service providers to get directly in touch with the decision makers of over 1,000 shipping offices,” says Theodore Vokos, Managing Director, Posidonia Exhibitions S.A., the event’s organiser.

Not only does Greek shipping continue to lead the world in terms of newbuilding orders, with current commitments estimated at $11 billion, but Greek shipowners are also busy installing exhaust gas cleaning systems on their existing fleet to meet the IMO regulations.

No surprise then that eight months before the event opens its doors at the Athens Metropolitan Expo on June 1st, more than 20 scrubber manufacturers have already signed up for Posidonia 2020, hoping to attract a greater piece of this continuously growing business segment.

Besides scrubbers and low sulphur fuel producers and resellers, Posidonia 2020 will also showcase the new technology trends shaping the future of the sector.

Software developers and marine technology innovators will field a strong contingent at Posidonia 2020, as Greek owners continue investments in high tech to modernise ageing fleets, digitalize their operations, measure their performance and protect their systems from cyber-attacks.

From big-tech companies such as SAP to cyber security specialists Obrela Security Industries and Blue Soft & IT and from DeepSea Technologies which develops sector-specific IT solutions to the members of the Hellenic Association of Mobile Application Companies, innovation will flourish in different shapes and forms across Posidonia’s 50,000 sqm of exhibition floor space.

“Demand for space is growing strongly each and every day and Posidonia 2020 is on track to beat the event’s current record in terms of exhibition space and number of exhibitors set back in 2018,” says Vokos.

Already some 50 new exhibitors have confirmed their participation ranging from lubricants major Total Lubmarine to payment and financial solutions companies such as UCS Financial Ltd and from crewing agencies Status Maritime, Crewsel Shipping SA and Univis Ltd to the Greek Public Gas corporation DEPA SA promoting the Poseidon Med project.

Posidonia 2020 will again host an extensive range of conferences, seminars and workshops, which will tackle all the topics currently high on the shipping agenda.

The prestigious Tradewinds Shipowners Forum will set the stage for Posidonia week, with industry leaders presenting their outlook for the shipping markets and the upcoming challenges. BIMCO has confirmed that it will be repeating the 2018 successful seminar for its members and is expected to attract senior shipping executives to the Posidonia venue. 
The Korean Embassy in Athens will again organise a Forum which aims at creating new business opportunities for the Korean and Greek maritime communities, while the Japan Ship Exporters’ Association will again organise a technical seminar presenting latest technological breakthroughs of the Japanese shipbuilding industry.

Other confirmed events include presentations by the Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology, Isalos.net, Shipmedcare Ltd, Green-Jakobsen A/S, CLIA, Fortune Technologies, Digital Ship, RINA, Shipmedcare... and the list keeps growing.

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