By
Rebecca Gibson |
Posidonia 2016 is set to be the biggest in the event’s 50-year-long history when it opens in Athens, Greece on 6 June.
This year, the event will be held on more than 40,000sqm of exhibition floor space and feature a record 40 presentations, seminars and workshops. These will allow delegates to explore the opportunities and challenges facing the Greek shipping industry, as well as the global maritime community’s prime focus, strategic priorities and concerns.
More than 1,800 exhibitors from 89 countries will participate in the event, while more than 20,000 visitors are expected to visit the Athens Metropolitan Expo venue. This will include senior representatives from Greece’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the Municipality of Piraeus, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee, the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association and Association of Passenger Shipping Companies.
Other exhibitors will include a record 200 shipyards; more than 80 IT companies; multiple service providers from the travel, health, safety and education sectors; and specialist shipping suppliers, such as ballast water management and propulsion system providers.
“Despite the deepest and continuing economic crisis since Greece joined the European Economic Community (as it was known at the time) in 1981, Posidonia 2016 is the most prominent yet,” said John Lyras, chairman of the Posidonia Coordinating Committee.
Attendees will also be able to participate in the Posidonia Games, which comprises sailing, football, golf and running events that are scheduled on 4-5 June ahead of the exhibition. In total, more than 2,500 shipping industry professionals have registered to participate