Summit Programme 2010
Timing is Everything
This year's Shipping Summit will explore and discuss this important theme through five dimensions of shipping; Finance, New Builds, Sale & Purchase, Chartering and the Environment.
Tuesday 5 October 2010 |
Wednesday 6 October 2010 |
0830 Registraton and coffee sponsored by 
0930 Opening remarks & keynote address
Opening address:
Yiannis Diamantidis, Minister of Maritime Affaires, Islands and Fisheries
Keynote address:
Spyros Polemis, Chairman International Chamber of Shipping and President, International Shipping Federation
1000 Session 1
Economic overview
The past year has altered the financial landscape. While the Greek economy has taken a beating and several other European countries are tottering on the edge, the world as a whole is looking at a gradual economic recovery. Our expert speaker will put the issues in perspective, see how they relate to a global industry like shipping and look at how the coming months are likely to play out.
Klas Eklund, Senior Economist, SEB Merchant Banking
Market analysis
The fluid world markets change from one moment to the next. This session will analyze all the trends. Will the economic environment boost or blast the markets? Where is dry cargo going and what is the wet sector’s potential? Are containers a smart buy and why are so many Greek owners moving into the sector?
Dr Martin Stopford, Managing Director, Clarkson Research Services Ltd
1040 Coffee sponsored by
1100 Session 2
Charterers’ panel
The historic interdependence of charterers and shipowners is a fact, but times are changing. What do charterers expect from owners today? Are the charterers living up to their obligations? Do promises to charter and pay for quality tonnage still hold water in a bad market or do they depend on the timing? A panel of charterers will put their views and take your questions
What an owner expects from his charterer
George D Gourdomichalis, President & Managing Director, G Bros Maritime SA
A charterer's perspective: Expectations from the market
Abhijit Chaudhury, General Manager (Ship Chartering) ISPAT
Panelist
Peter Weernink, Managing Director, SwissMarine Services SA
Sale and Purchase/Newbuildings
Greek shipowners returned to the shipyards faster than any other nationality. But heavy ordering in specific ship types such as Kamsarmax is giving rise to questions about overcapacity when deliveries start. Chinese buyers made a strong showing in the second hand purchase market, but Greek owners are gobbling up younger second hand units and newbuilding resales. Our speakers will try and articulate a response to the question on everyone’s lips: ‘Is the timing right?’
An overview of the current market
Richard Fulford-Smith, Managing Partner, RS Platou London
The return of the Greek shipowners to the world’s shipyards
Stavros Hatzigrigoris, Managing Director, Maran Tankers Management Inc
Newbuildings in China
Dimitris Koukas, Managing Director, Optima Shipbrokers
1245 Discussion open to the floor
1300 Lunch sponsored by 
1415 Session 2 continued
Finance
Banks have a long term relationship with Greek owners and generously funded Greek shipping in the past. Is credit flowing again? Is it time for financial institutions to start pouring money back into the industry?
A number of Greek owners turned again to the IPO market. Is the window open? Is the timing right to coax investors to open their wallets? Can the owner present a convincing proposal to woo the funds needed? And what role will private equity play?
Moderator
George Xiradakis, Founder and Managing Director, XRTC Business Consultants
Angelos Roupas, Manager, Greek Representative Office, Deutsche Schiffsbank AG
Dimitris Anagnostopoulos, Member of Board of Directors, Aegean Baltic Bank
1445 Session 3
Environment
Environmental measures will affect some of the basic cost parameters for shipping are closing in. What do owners face over the coming months? Are they proactive as regards their environmental responsibilities and how can they help the bottom line at the same time?
Environmental efficiencies – the next leap forward in innovative ship design
Christopher J Wiernicki, President and COO, ABS
Technical experience with slow steaming
Thomas Eefsen, Maersk Maritime Technology
Getting the message across
Anthony Frances, Senior Associate, Clyde and Co Dubai
1530 Coffee sponsored by
1600 Session 4
Question time
A panel drawn from all sectors of the industry will offer their opinions on a number of subjects. They will offer expert opinions and face questions from delegates who will also be given the opportunity to air their views and pet peeves. This is the time for industry interaction across a level playingfield.
Moderator: John C Lyras, CEO, Paralos Maritime Corporation SA
Roberto Cazzulo, Head, International Relations and Deputy Director, Marine
Division, RINA
Michael Bodouroglou, Chairman and CEO, Paragon Shipping Inc
Capt. Timothy Crowch MBA FRAeS MEWI CNI, President, Advanced System Safety Management System Safety Solutions
John Palmisano, Consultant, Carbon Positive
1730 Finish
The conference programme may be subject to alterations.
Please click here for the list of speakers.