Posidonia shipping exhibition opens on Monday

With 1,920 exhibitors from 92 countries, the exhibition is the biggest of its kind in shipping globally and will run until June 8.

The Posidonia shipping fair is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Theodoros Vokos, executive manager of Posidonia SA said, adding that the event brings in 62 million euros in revenue to local enterprises in the sectors of hospitality, catering and transport. He added that demand for exhibition space was up 16 pct compared with the previous Posidonia fair, evidence of the dynamism of Greek shipping.

A total of 22 countries will present their shipping products and services through their national pavillions to a specialised audience of shipping executives and institutional agencies of the sector. Brazil and Poland will participate for the first time with national pavilions, alongside established and traditional shipping powers such as China, Japan, South Korea, UK, Denmark and Holland. The list of participants also includes Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping, Bahri (Saudi Arrabia), International Maritime Industries (Saudi Aramco's new giant shipbuilding unit), while Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) will participate in Posidonia 2018 making its debut. Other exhibitors include Airbus Defence, Space Geo, MAN Trucks, SAP, Gazpromneft Lubricants, Weathernews, Storm Geo, and the Greek ports of Thessaloniki and Volos.

More than 40 presentations, seminars, speeches and conferences have been scheduled during the Posidonia fair.

Lim Kitack, secretary-general of IMO and Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Transport, will attend the Posidoniainauguration event.