Summit Schedule 2008
Wednesday 5 November
20.00 Welcome Reception
Thursday 6 November
08.30 Registration and coffee
09.30 Welcome and Introduction from the co-organisers
GILLIAN WHITTAKER, Athens Bureau Chief, TradeWinds
CHRISTOPHER HAYMAN, Chairman, Seatrade
09.40 Opening Address
10.00 Session 1
With volatile markets, the credit crunch, high operating costs and the increasing concerns of safety and crewing, what are the prospects for shipping?
- Where are the markets headed?
Analysts and owners are predicting anything from boom to doom as far as market movements in the foreseeable future are concerned. Where are the markets headed? - Where is the credit crunch leading?
By March this year more than 75% of Greek new buildings had already been financed with bank lending to Greek shipping reaching record levels in 2007. What will the end of 2008 bring and can the rest of the shipping world hope for equally generous treatment from the finance institutions? - Shipbuilding capacity
New shipbuilding capacity and a record order book hint at looming overcapacity. But at the same time market players forecast contract cancellations and amendments as well as delivery delays. How is the new building situation unfolding?
11.20 Discussion open to the floor
11.40 Coffee break sponsored by 
12.10 Session 2
- The cost of keeping going
Just as the industry learns to live with the consequences for fuel costs of oil at $100+ a barrel, it must now also start to analyse the operating cost implications of IMO's deal on sulphur emissions from ships. - Officers in short supply
With one commentator predicting the critical prospect of a 90,000 shortfall in officers by 2012, this puts crewing issues in the spotlight. With quality crew at a premium, what are the implications for Greek operators? - Training and retaining crew
In a competitive market for quality crews, how should operators approach the twin issues of training and the retention of quality crew? What is the likely pattern for crew costs in the medium term?
13.10 Discussion open to the floor
13.30 Lunch sponsored by 
15.00 Session 3: Parliamentary-style debate:
‘This House believes that the new shipbuilding capacity now coming on stream will see the 1980s slump repeated’
Speakers for and against the motion will present their views, followed by a floor debate and a vote.
17.30 Discussion period
Vote on the motion and chairman’s concluding remarks
18.00 Farewell drinks sponsored by 
The conference programme may be subject to alterations
