Posidonia: The World’s largest International Maritime Event


As Greece continues its journey through the uncharted waters of fiscal uncertainty, the country was reprieved from the negative media spotlight as it successfully hosted Posidonia, June 7-11, the world’s largest international maritime event and welcomed to Athens’ waterfront Hellenikon Exhibition Centre leaders of the global sea transportation community from a record 87 nations and territories.

The famous colorful landmark NASDAQ tower at New York’s Times Square displayed the blue and white logo of Posidonia Shipping Exhibition 2010 in a gesture of support to the listed shipping companies, as thousands of visitors and hundreds of international journalists converged to Athens for what Greek government officials described as a lifeline to the country’s tourism sector and a platform to attract much needed investments.

Speaking at the prize giving ceremony of this year’s Posidonia Cup, a sailing regatta which has been heralding the official opening of Posidonia Exhibition for the past five editions, Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Development Georgios Pousseos said that Posidonia’s contribution to Greece’s MICE sector is vital, both in terms of generating revenues for the local economy and as an image guardian for the country’s battered international reputation. Posidonia Exhibition officials put the windfall to Athens’ tourism sector at around Euro 50 million, the estimated amount spent by about 10,000 international participants over the duration of the five-day event which.

“Every two years Greece becomes the centre of international attention for all the right reasons as Posidonia’s appeal in the global shipping industry is unprecedented due to its unique breadth, scope, tremendous commercial potential and the media’s avid interest in the Greek shipping muscle, which is the mainstay of the country’s economy with a seven per cent contribution to the country’s GDP,” said Theodore Vokos, Project Manager, Posidonia.

Over 1,850 shipping companies from a total of 87 countries participated in this year’s event which was the biggest in its 44 year history, a tangible demonstration to the might of Greece’s shipping industry, which controls the world’s largest merchant fleet accounting for 15 per cent of the global tonnage and contributes an annual 13.5 billion to the country’s GDP. Over 17,000 Greek and international trade visitors representing the global maritime community attended the five-day affair which spreaded across 31,000 square metres at the Greek capital’s waterfront Hellenikon Exhibition Centre (HEC). A total of 85 industry sectors were present with the vast majority coming from the ship building and ship repair field which is represented by 416 companies.

The continuous interest of the global maritime community in Greece is due to a constant flow of new building orders and the country’s leading international position in shipping affairs as it maintains the world’s largest merchant fleet which accounts for 15 per cent of total world tonnage.

Posidonia 2010 was inaugurated by Louka Katseli, Minister of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping, who praised the role of the industry and its contribution to the Greek economy. The Minister also delivered the message of Greek Prime Minister George A. Papandreou, in which he stated: “For our country, shipping has always been and continues to be a sector of proven comparative advantage. The strategic location of our country in the Mediterranean, as well as the existence of an Aegean Sea with its multitude of islands, gave Greece one of the most powerful and successful naval traditions of the world. Historically, the shipping sector has also been a leader in our country’s growth and development. Today, in this critical period that demands the engagement of all creative forces towards a common goal, shipping can also contribute dynamically to overcome the crisis and to create a better and fairer Greece. My government is determined to move forward with all necessary changes, to ensure a powerful and competitive shipping industry in Greece.”

The chairman of the recently formed Posidonia Coordinating Committee, Mr Ioannis Lyras said: “There is no other maritime event in the world that compares with the spirit of Posidonia. At the heart of this success is Greek shipping, the tradition and entrepreneurial spirit of the Greeks.”

The President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Mr Theodore Veniamis stated that, “I express the hope that Posidonia 2012 will be inaugurated under conditions of national and worldwide economic advancement and social welfare.”

“This year’s record participation at Posidonia confirms the importance of the Greek maritime industry for our country and underlines Greece’s leadership position in the field of global sea transportation,” said Posidonia official Theodore Vokos. “It brings thousands of visitors from around the world to Greece, stimulating inward investments and generating business for our tourism and hospitality industries.”

©2010 NEOCORP MEDIA

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