Conference Programme 2010
Planning for the new conference programme will begin early 2010 and details will be published here when finalised.
Conference Programme 2009
Managing the Downturn and Investing for the Upturn:
When and how to position for profit
Monday 2 November
Pre-conference seminar hosted by 
16:00-19:00 Seminar and Cocktail Reception (By invitation only)
For more information please contact mail@cic-shipyards.cn
20.00 Speakers’ Dinner hosted by 
Tuesday 3 November
Registration and coffee
09.30 Opening remarks & keynote address
Christopher Hayman, Chairman, Seatrade
Gillian Whittaker, Athens Bureau Chief, TradeWinds
09.40 Keynote Address
Louka T. Katseli, Minister of Economy, Competitiveness & Shipping, Government of Greece
09.40-10.00 Session 1 – How it is now…
The current state of The tanker sector
A thorough look at the present situation in the industry: Sector’s Outlook
Denis Petropoulos, Joint Managing Director, Braemar Seascope Ltd
What do capital providers think one year on? Is it safe to invest again? The result of an exclusive finance survey revealed by Petrofin SA
Ted Petropoulos, Managing Director, Petrofin SA
10.40 Panel Discussion
With the crisis still unfolding, are the young Greek tanker owners making the right decisions?
Panel Moderator:
Stavros Hatzigrigoris, Managing Director, Maran Tankers Management Inc.
Panelists:
Leon Patitsas, CEO, Atlas Maritime Ltd
Evangelos Pistiolis, CEO, Top Ships Inc
Harry Vafias, CEO, Vafias Group
11.20 Coffee break
11.40 Session 1 – How it is now... continued
Energy infrastructure developments in the Mediterranean region: What is the impact on trading and shipping patterns? How will tanker owners benefit?
New offshore regassification projects
Ugo Salerno, CEO, Rina S.p.A
New pipelines projects
Tasos Sophos, Director, Member of the Board of Directors, Head of Energy & Infrastructure Unit, Kantor Management Consultants
Changing oil trading patterns: Implications for optimum ship size and investments
Dr Stavros D Tsolakis, Vice President, DST Shipping Group & visiting professor, Singapore Management University
12.40 Discussion open to the floor
13.00 Lunch sponsored by 
14.30 Session 2 – How it may be…
Crisis breeds opportunities – will you be ready?
In the run-up to the Copenhagen Climate Treaty, what challenges are facing the Industry?
Demetri Stroubakis, Vice President Eastern Region, Europe Division, ABS
Risk management models for owners with diversified fleets
Richard Gilmore, Director Gas Fleet, Maran Gas Maritime Inc.
What is the future role of capital markets and derivatives?
Demetris Nenes, Vice President, OceanFreight Inc
15.30 Session 3 - Question Time at GSS World Tanker Forum
A new format interactive debate involving a high-profile panel and the audience, during which the discussion will focus on a number of selected questions, submitted by conference participants in the run-up to the debate.
Bob Jaques, Editor, Seatrade and Julian Bray, Executive Editor, TradeWinds
Sample questions that will be put to the panel:
- The effects of the crisis on the business: Are there any reasons to be thankful?
- Is this your first shipping crisis?
- Is wet a better bet than dry?
- How has the Charterers’ business changed, in view of the developing situation in China, India and the developing world?
- Are rising protectionism and new bilateral agreements between nation states and companies changing the world shipping map and power balance?
- Is there an irrevocable shift taking place towards Asia?
Panelists:
Philip Embiricos, Immediate Past President, BIMCO
Richard Fulford-Smith, Managing Partner, RS Platou LLP
Stavros Hatzigrigoris, Managing Director, Maran Tankers Management Inc.
Lars Dencker Nielsen, Global Chartering Manager, BP Shipping Ltd
Alexander Papachristidis-Bove, Chairman of the Board & Managing Director, Hellespont Steamship Corp
Ted Petropoulos, Managing Director, Petrofin SA
Dr Stavros D Tsolakis, Vice President, DST Shipping Group & visiting
professor, Singapore Management University
…more panelists will be announced shortly
17.30 Farewell drinks hosted by 
The conference programme may be subject to alterations