International Shipping Magazine July - August 2012

CONTENTS

KΩ∆IKOΣ 1612

Between us.....................................................................

3

Spotlighting the industry news for nearly six decades!

Viewpoint........................................................................

4

JULY/AUGUST 2012 NAFTILIA Period A No 1-149 SHIPPING Period B No 487 Vol. 333

Special Survey

Publisher and Managing Editor

Posidonia 2012/The Aftermath .......................

7

Events ...........................................................................

60

Forum...........................................................................

62

Art Feature .................................................................

64

Reportage.....................................................................

67

Report...........................................................................

68

News Digest................................................................

71

Class Societies.............................................................

IMO ...............................................................................

77 79

Letta Dimopoulou - Makri

Consultants of the edition Kate G. Ioannidou Theodoros Kantas

Editor in Chief

Letta Dimopoulou - Makri

Advertising Manager Bia Babili

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Representatives & Correspondents: Technical Matters

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Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

87

Γνώµη . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

90

Εκπαίδευση . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

92

Ειδήσεις . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

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BETWEEN US

Shipping, our great strength

Posidonia 2012 closed its doors, once again leaving in its wake a taste of Greece’s ascendancy in global commercial shipping. After all, Posidonia is without doubt the largest maritime exhibition in the world – larger even than that of Hong Kong, and larger than those of London and Oslo.

Thanks to its shipping sector our country hosted 1,870 exhibitors from 87 countries and over 18,000 visitors – a record high – at this year’s Posidonia exhibition, the success of which sent a resounding message to the Greek and international community that Greece is, and will continue to be, the “harbour” of the global shipping industry. As for the agreements that were closed during the exhibition, these come to billions of euro.

And so what if the crisis in global shipping industry still prevails? Greek shipowners remain undaunted and are in no danger of losing their force and their major role in ship purchases, leading, as always, the dance of investment.

It is worth noting that since the start of the year, Greek shipowners have “tossed” into the sea over 1.5 billion dollars for the purchase of 77 new ships out of a total of 400 that have been sold worldwide.

The truth is that Greek shipowners, sailing against the wind in the economic crisis, invest the amount of 3 billion dollars every year for the construction of new vessels, demonstrating their dominance in the global maritime scene. And it is no exaggeration to say that this dominance prompts all the world’s shipyards to keep their gaze permanently turned towards Greece.

“A fleet of 3,325 ships, with combined capacity of 227 million dwt and an average age of 10.5 years, is now in Greek hands, making Greek shipowners an

important influencing factor in the sea transportation sector, as well as a coveted commercial target for the full spectrum of the diverse maritime industry” stressed Union of Greek Shipowners president Theodore Veniamis, at the usual Posidonia presentation held a few days before the international exhibition opened its doors.

Despite the fact that there is an acute funding problem, most believe that the Greeks will manage to emerge from the tempest once again as leaders, as they have so many times in the past.

A revealing fact is that, although until March 2012 the Greek fleet showed only a marginal decrease in ship numbers, total tonnage increased by 2.5 percent.

This alone demonstrates the resilience of Greek shipping, during the last two years in which both the Greek and international economy is experiencing an unprecedented financial crisis.

It is unfortunate, however, that in recent years, instead of taking advantage of the power, contacts and potential for large-scale investments offered by Greek shipowners, the state chose a negative approach and criminal indifference.

However, after the elections of 17 June, this has started to change, with the first step being the reconstitution of the maritime affairs ministry, a matter that afflicted the maritime community for two and a half years.

Akti Miaouli is finally smiling again, at regaining its rightful place.

LETTA DIMOPOULOU - MAKRI Publisher SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 3

VIEWPOINT

Cyprus, oil and Ecuador The inclusion of Cyprus in the EU support mechanism serves to clear the haze which certain people tried to create in the pre-election period.

In Cyprus, the government of communist president, Demetris Christofias, spent two months or so playing a game of cat and mouse. Naturally, the cat – the European Union which was already cognisant of the game’s outcome – allowed the mouse to dream awhile. However, Mr Christofias’s dreams about a new loan from Russia (which has interests in the region), or (as an alternative solution) recourse to China, proved to be an empty bubble. The Russians closed the door in their faces, apparently in league with the EU, while the Chinese said “let us think about it a little while” and when a “little while” had passed, they began to talk about “everything and nothing”. So, Cyprus, having no other choice, submitted a petition to the EU. Of course, the cause is not only to be found in the over-exposure of Cypriot banks to Greek bonds, as the Christofias government circles immediately hastened to inform us. The Cypriot economy grounded on the rocks due to the “cocksure” mentality of the government’s financial staff, which, as economic circles on the island are emphasising, did not take care to implement appropriate and timely measures and, most importantly, did not reduce public sector costs. Does this remind you of anything? Thus, the country that has been presiding over the EU since 1 July 2012 is now the newest member of the bankruptcy club, of which George Papandreou cut the inaugural ribbon!

However, the mishap of Mr Christofias will serve to dispel the pipedreams that certain Greek parties were plying before the elections, about “recourse to Russia and China” or even applying the Ecuador model. We’re afraid that neither Mr Tsipras nor Mr Kammenos are in a position to claim that they are further to the left than Mr Christofias.

Let’s take a look at the other pet topic, oil. Has Cyprus found oil and gas? Has Cyprus found oil deposits about which there has been much ado?

Why is a country which according to some is on the threshold of El Dorado, stretching out its hand to grasp the support mechanism? But how, too, 4 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

would our own country receive advance payments from certain powers for its mineral and underwater wealth, as some of the parties that seized the protest vote had declared? These are strange things and strange situations indeed. Cyprus – boasting oil, a great shipping sector, thousands of offshore companies, fourteen Russian schools and several thousand wealthy Russians now living permanently on the island – has joined the support mechanism!

What is the real story? Perhaps we were right when, some time ago, while the George Papandreou government was playing around with the Greek economy, we were shouting that Greece is not the problem? Were we perhaps right when we were talking about a crisis of the euro and the eurozone, even though nobody was listening to us?

Cyprus, to be precise, fulfilled all the requirements for a successful career in the Eurozone: low taxes on businesses, attractive to foreign companies, overflowing deluxe hotels, conference tourism, major hydrocarbon reserves, and a state machine with a British structure. In spite of all this, however, it did not escape the support mechanism. Between us, our Cypriot brothers did not handle the issue very elegantly. The view expressed by the Christofias government, refers primarily to the issue of the Cypriot banks’ exposure to Greek bonds. However, they are not telling us something else that is relevant to the matter regarding Greek deposits in Cypriot banks.

Billions of euro have “flown” from Greece to Cypriot bank accounts or safe deposit boxes. It would be better for everyone if we did not return to the years when our Cypriot brothers would swear on their Greek blood whenever they had need of the mother country, or when the need arose otherwise, would simply show their Cypriot passports and declare themselves citizens of a member country of the Commonwealth.

Cyprus and Greece are two countries of the EU that speak the same language. Since a few days ago they are now both in the same sinking boat. We once more share the same fate, as we do our fortune. There is no leeway for contention between us.

ROBESPIERRE

VIEWPOINT

Launch pad “Posidonia”

Conference tourism set to finally take off!

Posidonia was tangible proof this time of how valuable the mercantile marine sector is for this country. While the international media buzzed about “bad Greece” and while everyone was waiting for the trumpets of Jericho to sound in Athens, hotels and reception halls filled up, ministers and foreign government officials came to Greece, forums took place and contacts were made, billion-dollar deals were closed, and, for a week, Greece was at the centre of the global economy! May the earth lie lightly on those who inspired this event, which gives Greece a pulse even when it’s a pacemaker that’s needed!

Foreign VIP visitors came in their thousands and found a calm, quiet country with a blue, blue sea and wondered about everything they had read back in their homelands. “But I don’t see any trouble on the streets, nor fires, nor demonstrations”, a top US banker told us. “But all the clashes they show you are just the parishes of Vrontados on Chios engaging in their Easter rocket wars” I replied, totally confusing him.

The Indian ambassador was enthusiastic. “You are an amazing country. Just when everyone thinks you have your back to the wall, you present us with the Posidonia exhibition. I admire you!” he said. After all, was it just chance that got us as far as India with Alexander the Great? The Japanese ambassador and former CEO of Nomura, was also delighted. “If they had taken such measures in my home country as they have taken here, my friend, half of us Japanese would have committed suicide. And you put on Posi6 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

donia instead. What I see is a miracle”! But, my dear ambassador, is it chance that we top the world in this area? Didn’t Greeks build their first ships in Japan? Wasn’t it Greeks who opened up the Korean market? “We are expecting you again in Seoul”, the Korean ambassador told us. What can we do? We went, we saw everything, we admired it all, but now we want the ships to return to the Greek shipyards. And they will!

Posidonia is not some chance event. It is the result of Greek stubbornness and Greek chutzpah and teamwork. The Vokos family and Nana Michael might be the “soul” of the event, but everyone who has worked for this expo – of such importance to Greece – always gave their best, and not always for pay. The Greek state, too, was not long in realizing the value of the Posidonia exhibition for the country, and thus took it under its aegis. Constantine Karamanlis’s visit to the Posidonia exhibition in 1980 was not a chance one. It was in recognition of the moves being made by the shipowners at the time, that were bringing valuable foreign exchange – and more – into a country undergoing trials and tribulations, then as now.

Posidonia deserves our respect. Yes, it is a private company. Yes, the owners earn good money. However, Greece wins and so do hundreds of companies. We score points, mate! Posidonia is the last example of healthy private initiative investing in the country and bringing wealth. It is the forerunner, the launch pad, the waiting room of CONFERENCE TOURISM!

D.K

SPECIAL SURVEY

POSIDONIA 2012/THE AFTERMATH

POSIDONIA 2012: The challenge continues Compiled by Letta Dimopoulou-Makri and Bia Babili

Once again Posidonia has won the admiration of all involved in international shipping. The 23rd in its history, this year’s Posidonia created yet another base for Greek and international shipping executives to promote their products and services. The Exhibition, which opened on June 4, took place at the Metropolitan Expo Centre and was equipped to provide enhanced services and an overall better experience to the estimated 1,870 exhibitors from 87 countries and 17,000 visitors who supported the exhibiton during the five day event. The modern, state-of-the-art venue boasted a floor space of 60,000 square metres that includes dedicated conference facilities which hosted a busy schedule of meetings and seminars in what has turned out to be Posidonia’s most comprehensive conference programme ever.

A new Conference programme, a new venue and an enhanced networking and recreational calendar were the highlights of the Posidonia 2012 week, which was launched on Friday, 31st of May with its trademark Posidonia Cup Yacht Race. The world’s premier maritime event created a new record in terms of exhibitors and visitors as it entered its fifth decade, confirming that Greece is open for business.

Described by its organisers as a unique blend of business and networking opportunities at the heart of shipping, Posidonia is the most eagerly anticipated biennial maritime forum and is always well attended by senior shipping executives who converge on Greece every two years to network and mingle between their peers and with high-level representatives of the indigenous shipping industry.

“Posidonia is much more than an exhibition”, said Themistocles Vokos, Chairman of Posidonia Exhibitions. “It is a shipping industry institution, a forum of multiple platforms that transcends narrow commercial targets and marketing objectives. The event provides a truly dynamic environment that acts as a catalyst for growth and at the same time sends a positive image of Greece to the world”, he added.

One of Posidonia’s main attractions for the world’s biggest shipbuilding companies is the strong links between the event and the representatives of Greece’s shipowners who collectively operate the

world’s largest commercial fleet. A total of 3,325 ships of a 227 million dwt combined capacity and an average age of 10,5 years is in Greek hands today making Greek shipowners a major influence in the critical sea transportation sector as well as a coveted marketing target for the full spectrum of the diverse maritime industry.

“That’s because, apart from their global leadership as the number one force in absolute numbers, they continue to place significant orders and particularly in the bulk carrier category which accounted for 62 per cent of Greek placed orders in the first quarter”, said Vokos.

“This is a tangible proof confirming that Greek shipping remains the biggest buyer for newbuildings and ship services and equipment”.

It should be noted that the Greek-owned fleet contributes a significant amount to the Greek economy. It is estimated that in the decade between 2000 and 2010, Greek shipping contributed a total of Euro 140 billion to the nation’s economy, or half the country’s public debt as it stood in 2009.

“These numbers reflect the might of Greek shipping and signify the importance of Posidonia which for five decades has been actively promoting the country’s biggest economic contributor to the world”, said Vokos who added that the event also brings an estimated revenue of Euro 50 million to Athens and Piraeus companies offering hospitality, transportation, stand construction, catering, entertainment and event organisation services.

Part of this spending is induced by the plethora of networking, hospitality and sporting events which traditionally dot Posidonia Week’s calendar.

The Posidonia Golf Tournament, supported by Thenamaris and Costamare, made its debut this year, joining the Lloyds Registersponsored Posidonia Cup Sailing Regatta, which has been a permanent feature of Posidonia Week since 2002. The 3rd Posidonia ShipSoccer Tournament completed an exciting schedule of recreational networking opportunities for senior shipping executives who battled for the crown.

Our warmest congratulations to the organizers for an amazing Posidonia, that highlighted how special Greece is to the world economy!

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 7

SPECIAL SURVEY

POSIDONIA 2012/THE AFTERMATH

The 6th Posidonia Cup Regatta Ble hues infuse Posidonia Cup 2012 success

Bureau Veritas – winner Performance class Yacht – Atalanti XVI

The azure waters of Faliron Bay and the blue skies of Attica fused to form an idyllic backdrop for this year’s Posidonia Cup Yacht Race which was contested by 55 crews on Friday 1 June.

The Lloyd’s Register-sponsored sailing regatta has been one of the highlights of Posidonia week since its inception back in 2002 and is always a highly anticipated event for the spectacle it offers and the networking opportunities it provides to exhibitors.

The event culminated with the customary prize giving ceremony held at the waterfront venue Ble, followed by a lavish reception which included traditional performances of Greek island dances.

8 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

Status Maritime Corp. – winner IRC class Yacht – Aces

Some of the largest shipping companies in the world, both from Greece and other countries, participated in this year’s race, and in a year of economic turbulence, shipping’s elite demonstrated that they have the ability and the skills required to handle both yachts and the major economic interests of their milieu.

However, besides a sailing race the Posidonia Cup is also an opportunity to promote Greece’s touristic bounty, especially in terms of sailing tourism.

The 55 yachts competing in the 6th Posidonia Cup were divided into four classes – Performance, Standard, IRC and Classic – and set off on the 15-nautical mile coastal race at 1pm on Friday.

SPECIAL SURVEY

POSIDONIA 2012/THE AFTERMATH

The yacht Anthoula’s crew

GAC Shipping – winner Standard class Yacht – Quicksilver GAC

Competition was intense in all classes and the winning places, as well as the outcome in general, were decided in a matter of seconds.

The first three places in each class were as follows (with yachts listed in order of first, second, third, and company names in parentheses):

Performance: Atalanti XVI (Bureau Veritas), Booker (Skuld), Zantino-Wind (D.M.I. – Wind).

IRC: Aces (Status Maritime Corp.), Melx II (P.L. Ferrari & Co.), Gant (Germanischer Lloyd).

Classic: Flamingo (Antonis Nikolaras), Steelhead (Panteleimonitis Dimitris), Tincano (Poseidonion Grand Hotel).

Standard: Quicksilver (GAC Shipping), Aethra (Deloitte), Christina II (SNAME).

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), Greek Branch, participated with the yacht Anthoula, coming 15th.

All in all a great event and congratulations are due to organisers, Posidonia and the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC), but also to sponsors Lloyd’s Register for making the idea a reality!

Helmepa at the sailing regatta As in sailing regattas held during international Posidonia exhibitions of the past, race organisers, Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC), once again kindly put the sailing boat Armenistis at the disposal of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA).

The boat excelled, taking 4th place in its class. This was a significant achievement for the crew, taking into consideration that this was the first time they had raced together in a high-level sailing competition!

HELMEPA would like to warmly thank HORC for freely offering the Armenistis, skipper Isidoros Kyriakou and his team and the HELMEPA volunteers who participated as crew members, as well as Elena Matzaridou from corporate member Dalex Shipping and Prof. Vassilis Tselentis of the Department of Maritime Studies at the University of Piraeus, all of whom it congratulates for the distinction they achieved.

HELMEPA’s participation in the sailing regatta is symbolic as it provides the organisation with an opportunity to disseminate its clean-seas message widely, through the distribution of motivational material to the regatta crews, comprised of young sea sports lovers.

SPECIAL SURVEY

POSIDONIA 2012/THE AFTERMATH

Shipsoccer Tournament A great football venue attracts 24 teams and 300 spectators

Some 250 shipping executives from 24 companies unraveled their football talent on the turf of Greek Superleague champions Olympiacos during the Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament, the last of the three sporting events which comprised this year's recreational and networking calendar of the Posidonia 2012 Exhibition week.

The five-a-side event, which was organized by Posidonia Exhibitions S.A and Naftiliaki Filathliki Enosis, attracted over 300 spectators who enjoyed a football feast full of goals and spectacular action that culminated with the victory of Diamantis Pateras Maritime in the final against International Paint. Third place went to Deloitte.

Diamandis Pateras of was delighted with his team’s win and enthusiastic about the event. "Once again, Posidonia has surpassed our expectations with its superb series of fun and interactive networking events. It is great to see so many of our colleagues from around the world and we remain deeply committed to Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament which we hope it will continue to grow for years to come. “ The event reached its climax with a reception and an

awards ceremony which also served as a first class networking opportunity for the attendees less than 24 hours before the official opening of Posidonia 2012.

Off the field, participants were full of praise for the event and its contribution in promoting camaraderie between different companies while forging team spirit amongst colleagues.

"Football is an international language which talks at the hearts and minds of men and women from around the world, irrespective of nationality, cultural background or religion. Similarly, shipping is a global business which unites people in so many different levels and aspects, this is why the Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament is such a great combination," said George Gabriel of Golden Union Shipping.

"It is great to see so many teams from different countries and continents participating in this event which brings together the world of shipping for a few hours every two years in such a great football venue. It provides ample entrainment and plenty of networking opportunities for all Posidonia exhibitors who participate and we are extremely proud to be involved," said Aristedis Pittas of Eurobulk.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 11

SPECIAL SURVEY

POSIDONIA 2012/THE AFTERMATH

Posidonia Golf Tournament was a great success A total of fifty executives from Greek and international from the maritime and other corporate sectors contested the various honours of the inaugural Posidonia Golf Tournament which teed off on June, 3rd, with the support of Thenamaris and Costamare, at the picturesque setting of the Glyfada Golf Course.

The ideal weather conditions of bright sunshine and low winds contributed to the success of the event which culminated with a lavish reception and a prize giving ceremony attended by over 300 guests.

"This event gave Posidonia 2012 guests the opportunity to unwind and relax ahead of a busy Posidonia Exhibition. The significant contribution of our sponsors Thenamaris and Costamare made this event possible and very successful," said Theodore Vokos, Project Director, Posidonia Exhibitions, S.A. "Our aim is to see this tournament become a staple event in Posidonia's recreational and networking calendar and to help it grow in the same way that Posidonia Cup and Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament have."

The Stableford Gross and Net Stableford tournament was a shotgun start for 18 holes.

Nicholas Martinos, of Thenamaris said: "We welcome such initiatives as they help promote the image of Greece amongst an elite influencer audience which can improve the image of our tourism product to international audiences through word of mouth and social media interactions."

Costis Costantakopoulos of Costamare added: "Networking is perhaps the most important component of International trade exhibitions and our support of this golf tournament was propelled by our desire to provide enhanced value to our clients, partners, suppliers and friends from the global shipping community."

The winners were:

Closest to the pin Ladies: Ms Akleh Longest drive Ladies: Ms Ohlhaber Closest to the pin men: Mr Park Longest drive men: Mr Devendorf Posidonia Category: Mr Winig Ladies gross 3rd place: Ms Akleh Ladies gross 2nd place: Ms Ohlhaber Ladies gross winner: Ms Kazi Category 2 men net 3rd place: Mr Kosmatos Category 2 men net 2nd place: Mr Armatas Category 2 men net winner: Mr De Qian Yu Category 1 men net 3rd place: Mr Aamir Category 1 men net 2nd place: Mr Fairhurst Category 1 men net winner: Mr Hae Young Son Category 2 gross men 3rd place: Mr Griffiths Category 2 gross men 2nd place: Mr Criticos Category 2 gross men winner: Mr De Qian Yu Category 1 gross men 3rd place: Mr Docherty Category 1 gross men 2nd place: Mr Eykerman Category 1 gross men winner: Mr Nilson 12 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

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CRISTAL

SPECIAL SURVEY

POSIDONIA 2012/THE AFTERMATH

Posidonia 2012 Opening Ceremony Government commits to support Greek shipping

Greek Prime Minister, Panagiotis Pikrammenos addressing the audience Greek shipowners were called upon once more to lend their support to the nation by the then-Greek Prime Minister, Panagiotis Pikrammenos, who presided over the official opening ceremony of international shipping exhibition Posidonia 2012, at the Metropolitan Expo on Monday 4 June. The inauguration ceremony of the global shipping industry’s premier event was attended by government officials, foreign diplomats and representatives of Greek and international maritime organizations.

In his inaugural address, Mr Pikrammenos said, “The participation of so many exhibitors at this year’s Posidonia, which will attract a significant number of decision makers from the global financial and shipping communities, is a vote of confidence to the Greek shipping community and the prospects of the Greek economy at large. It must be interpreted as an optimistic message for all Greek people. During these moments, we must highlight and promote the bright examples of the businessmen and women who strive and succeed in the market economy creating value and jobs. The shipping sector flourishes thanks to its solid foundations established by private entrepreneurial initiatives and operating on prin-

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ciples of free market economy demonstrating its resilience and competitiveness for decades.”

He went on to add, “The Greek state must support and respect the significant potential of the sector which has established Greece at the summit of the global maritime industry. I also call upon the Greek shipowners to support our country in these difficult times. You have done so in the past, but today, more than ever before Greece needs new investments, new job opportunities and more liquidity. ” The Prime Minister concluded his speech with a reference to the role of the cruise industry. “The cruise sector today contributes to the port of Piraeus alone revenues of more than Euro 360 million a year. If we take the right decisions and make the right moves we could even achieve annual revenues of Euro 700 million by doubling the total number of passengers using the port’s cruise terminal to 5 million per year by 2016. This should be our strategic goal for the economic development of Piraeus; Greece’s biggest sea port to maintain its leading position as the biggest port in the entire Mediterranean”.

The then-Minister of Development, Competitiveness and Shipping and current Finance Minister, Yannis Stournaras, stated, “Given the significant role it plays in the global sea transportation sector, the progress and growth of Greek shipping is of vital national importance.

The sector’s size and contribution to the national economy is significant in job creation and new investments.

These challenging times remind us that Greek shipping’s resilience and global competitiveness can be crucial in the nation’s quest for a viable exit from the economic and social crisis.

“According to the findings of an unpublished survey conducted by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research, if Greek shipowners congregated the entirety of their business activities in Greece, our nation could create incremental revenues in excess of Euro 26 billion – compared to Euro 10 billion today. Simultaneously, through a raft of direct and indirect business activities that would emerge as a result, unemployment would decline by 35 per cent.

“We must develop initiatives supported by a modern and stable administrative body which would leverage the creation of an independent Ministry of Mercantile Marine with the mission to effectively serve the interests of the national economy.”

Chairman of the Posidonia Coordinating Committee, John Lyras, then mentioned that “Hellenic shipping is the healthiest national economic activity and like Posi-

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Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos cuts the ribbon, inaugurating Posidonia 2012. (l to r) Themistocles Vokos, John Lyras, Piraeus Mayor Vassilis Michaloliakos, Yannis Stournaras, Theodore Veniamis, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping President George Gratsos, Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee Chairman Haralambos Fafalios and President of the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association, Charalambos Simantonis

donia the thoroughbred achievement of the private and proprietary entrepreneurial model of business. This model is characterized by flexibility, adaptability, dynamism and tenacity where traditional values of industriousness, resourcefulness, commitment and responsibility do not have to be mandated bureaucratically. It is the right hand of world trade and as in the past, despite its current problems, it will be a vehicle for exiting the current world and national economic crises. Shipping is not part of the problem. We are part of the solution.”

During his welcome speech, Chairman of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Theodore Veniamis, noted that

“Apart from being a maritime exhibition of international repute, the success of Posidonia demonstrates the robustness and dynamism of the shipping sector as the dominant vehicle of world trade which will once again be a major contributor to the economic recovery we all need and are urgently awaiting. Greece with its great maritime tradition is able to confirm this”.

To sum up, Themistocles Vokos, Chairman of Posidonia Exhibitions highlighted that “Greece stands only to benefit from the achievements and success of its seafaring people who managed to gradually become leading shipowners while operating in a strongly competitive international environment without the support of governmental grants. We salute our 1,800 exhibitors and more than 17,000 visitors from nearly 90 countries who have come to Greece from every corner of the world to take part in this weeklong celebration of business activities”.

Also present at the opening ceremony were European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki, Euro MP Giorgos Koumoutsakos, LAOS President Georgios Karatzaferis, President and CEO of PPA and President of the Hellenic Ports Association George Anomeritis, Commander of the Hellenic Coast Guard Constantinos Soulis, Piraeus Mayor Vassilis Michaloliakos, and former maritime ministers: Giannis Diamantidis, Adonis Georgiades and Aristotelis Pavlidis.

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Bureau Veritas Reception As always, the Posidonia buffet dinner of Bureau Veritas took place at the spacious Golf Club of Glyfada, where more than 2000 (!) guests enjoyed a lovely evening.

Who wasn’t there! It was possibly the most crowded Posidonia classification society dinner at this venue, but also turned out to be the most crowded event ever for BV itself!

The excellent food and refreshments, complemented by the renowned warm hospitality of BV’s hosts and their respective team, made the evening memorable. Bernard Anne, Francois Teissier, Lambros Chahalis and Anastasios Angelopoulos spared no effort to please all their guests, and they succeeded. Great!

Capt. Panagiotis Tsakos, Bernard Anne, Efthimios and Chantal Mitropoulos, F. Teissier and Vassilis Papageorgiou

A. Angelopoulos, Paris Dragnis with his companion and L. A. Chahalis

B. Anne, V. Restis, A. Angelopoulos and F. Teissier

Victor Restis with Lambros A. Chahalis

Francois Teissier greeting Harry Vafias

Anastasios Angelopoulos, L. A. Chahalis, F. Teissier, Dimitris Melissanidis, B. Anne

A. Angelopoulos, George Melissanidis, and Alec Tomazos

A. Angelopoulos, Dimitris Kondylis, L. A. Chahalis and Pallette Palaiologou

A. Angelopoulos, L. A. Chahalis, Panos Laskaridis and F. Teissier

A. Angelopoulos, Eleonora Meleti, L. A. Chahalis, Despina Meleti and F. Teisier

YOU CAN COUNT ON US! The GL-classed fleet has exceeded the 100 million GT mark. Our formula for your success is based on technical expertise, client proximity and business understanding. Our clients count on their partnership with us. You can, too.

Germanischer Lloyd SE www.gl-group.com/100million-gt gl-piraeus@gl-group.com

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Aegean Marine Petroleum party – an oasis of dynamism, confidence and hope Greek and foreign bankers, prominent shipowners, politicians and government officials, foreign diplomats, well-known actors and artists, sports players, journalists, choice live music with stars of the Greek music scene, good food and... a multitude of guests, were the basic elements of the party held by Aegean at waterfront venue Balux Prive in Glyfada on the evening of 7 June, on the occasion of the international shipping exhibition Posidonia 2012.

This year’s Aegean party, hosted by businessman Dimitris Melissanidis and his son George, who heads the shipping company, and held every two years on the occasion of the Posidonia exhibition, had a very different flavour in relation to previous years, as in spite of the country’s prevailing mood of national depression, it managed to imbue the over three thousand people who were present with dynamism, confidence and hope. Moreover, this was the general impression made on hundreds of foreign businesspeople, bankers, diplomats and multinational company execu-

Minos and Marie Kyriakou with the hosts Jenny and Dimitris Melissanidis

Jenny Melissanidis with her son George

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tives, who were invited to the party as Aegean partners in the vast network of stations and activities developed by the company worldwide.

Apart from the company’s foreign partners, the party was attended by important figures from the Greek political scene, senior executives from Greek and foreign banks, major shipowners from Greece and abroad, high-ranking coastguard officers, entertainment and sports celebrities and a great many other guests.

Aegean’s guests partied till dawn, with “kefi” reaching a peak when well-known singer Eleni Foureira took the floor and really taking off with the appearance of Antonis Remos, who literally got everyone moving to the rhythm.

Finally, it should be noted that the Greek entrepreneur who organised the party in order to show that Greeks can do great and optimistic things even in times of deep political and economic crisis achieved his aim, since it was the main topic of discussion and the impression that was made on the Greek and foreign businessmen, bankers and business executives who attended Aegean’s party.

Spyros Capralos with his companion

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American Ambassador’s Reception

RECEPTIONS Arcadia Shipmanagement dinner Elegant as usual

The U.S. Ambassador, H.E. Daniel Smith’s welcoming speech

On the occasion of Posidonia 2012, the U.S. Ambassador, H.E. Daniel Smith, hosted a reception at his residence in Athens. The Ambassador and Mrs. Smith, together with Embassy officials, entertained their guests in the magnificent residence gardens. The warm and friendly atmosphere perfectly complemented this gathering between the world’s superpower and shipping’s Greek masters of the seven oceans!

Cyprus Reception at the Athenaeum InterContinental The Minister of Communications and Works of the Republic of Cyprus, Efthemios Flourentzou was the host of the reception, which, in accordance with tradition, took place at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel.

The numerous distinguished guests were prominent figures from the Greek, Cypriot and international shipping community, financial circles as well as personalities from the political scene, who in a warm and hospitable environment, enjoyed a lovely evening.

Efthemios Flourentzou greeting Efthimios and Chantal Mitropoulos

Elegant as usual was the dinner hosted by the company Arcadia, belonging to the Constantine Angelopoulos family, at the Astir Palace on 7 June.

A floating platform in the Westin pool bore the company name in large white letters, while around the pool were placed large round tables with white tablecloths.

After an introductory music video showing ships from the Arcadia fleet, a video was screened showing the last seconds of the Euroleague final, as well as the awards and celebrations, the team’s visit to the Patriarchate with Constantine Angelopoulos, of course, present, and footage from the fifth championship final where we saw the presidents of Olympiacos, Panagiotis and Giorgos Angelopoulos, and their father, Constantine, erupting in jubilant rejoicing.

By the end, all the guests – Greeks and foreigners from the business and shipping world and important representatives from the official basketball club – burst into applause and the trophies won by Olympiacos, champion of Greece and Europe, were revealed to the audience. The Legend’s cups were placed, indeed, in a prominent position so they could be admired by all.

The evening left those present with the best of impressions, with Constantine Angelopoulos and his sons, Giorgos and Panagiotis, proving to be the perfect hosts.

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Lloyd’s Register at the Westin Lloyd’s Register’s Posidonia reception, took place as usual by the pool at the Westin Astir Palace in Vouliagmeni. A record number from previous LR Posidonia events of over 1.500 guests attended.

Efthymios E. Mitropoulos, Capt. Panayiotis Tsakos, Evangelos Marinakis, Dimitris Melissanidis, Leon Patitsas, Nikos Madias, Dr. John Coustas, Andreas and George Tsavliris were among the many other major representatives of the Greek and international shipping community.

In true Lloyd’s Register fashion, everything was very well organised and the guests had an exceptionally good time. The Chairman David Moorhouse, the CEO Richard Sadler, the Head of Hellenic Lloyd’s, Apostolos Poulovassilis and the LR personnel did their best to make everybody feel wonderful!

R. Sadler, Dimitris Melissanidis and A. Poulovassilis

R. Sadler, Efthimios and Chantal Mitropoulos, Vassilis Papageorgiou and A. Poulovassilis Richard Sadler, Andreas and Milena Tsavliris and Apostolos Poulovassilis

A. Poulovassilis with Cpt. Panagiotis Tsakos

R. Sadler with Annita Patargia of LR

R. Sadler, Dr. John Coustas and A. Poulovassilis

R. Sadler, Sophia and Polys Hatziioannou and A. Poulovassilis

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American Bureau of Shipping ABS celebrates 150 years

Robert D. Somerville - ABS Chairman, welcoming speech

Absolutely fantastic was the American Bureau of Shipping’s reception/dinner, at the Grand Resort in Lagonissi, breaking the tradition of giving the Posidonia reception at the Westin Astir Pallas in Vouliagmeni.

A record number of more than 1.500 guests, attended, enjoying the evening though in the afternoon it was raining heavily.

Robert Somerville, the chairman and CEO together with C. Wiernicki, the president and COO and the society’s personnel did their best to please all of us.

Craig H. Stevenson Jr. -owner of Diamonds Shipping and ABS Board Member, Peter G. Livanos owner of Gaslog LNG Services Ltd. & President of ABS Greece National Committee, Philip J. Shapiro President & CEO of Liberty Maritime Corporation and ABS Board Member

Kirsi Tikka -President of ABS Europe with Lambros Babilis Technical Manager of Stealth Maritime Corporation S.A.

Anna Papaioannou, Vassilis Kamitsis, Thanos Theocharis and Theo Xenakoudis

Vassilios Kroustallis -Vice President of ABS Europe Eastern Region, Mrs Kroustallis, Vassilis Tsiolis Atlantic Bulk Carriers Management Ltd

Navios Maritime Midday Reception Distinguished guests of the Greek and international shipping communities were hosted by Navios at its traditional midday reception on the roof-garden of their offices on Akti Miaouli. Colleagues and dignitaries all enjoyed the company’s usually warm hospitality: excellent food and drinks highlighted by an exceptional view of Piraeus Port. What could be better? Well, what about the fantastic warmth and friendliness of CEO Angeliki Frangou, who was there to welcome everyone to celebrate Posidonia!

Angeliki Frangou with guests

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The Tsakos Group - Open House Two unique receptions, one after the other, epitomized the greatness of our industry! The Macedonia Mansion on Syngrou Avenue, has bi-annually witnessed the achievements of the Tsakos Group, which, over the last forty years has succeeded in becoming a robust international entity.

In a friendly atmosphere, with abundant food and drink, we had the chance to meet everyone from the Posidonia – and political – circles.

Our gracious hosts welcomed us all in a party atmosphere, most conducive to celebrating the recent success of the past two years, excellently complementing the company’s successful history.

Superb!

Alex Tourkolias – Deputy CEO, National Bank of Greece, Efthimios Mitropoulos President of the Maria Tsakos Foundation BoD - International Centre for Marine Research and Delivery MKO and Secretary General Emeritus of the International Maritime Organisation and Chantal Mitropoulos

Cpt. Panagiotis Tsakos greeting Jenny Bloomfield -Ambassador for Australia in Greece

Margarita Lariera -Director of the Maria Tsakos Foundation – Uruguay, Fani Palli-Petralia –former minister, Nikoletta Valakou -Director of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture

Anna Diamantopoulou – former minister

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PARTIES Marshall Islands Registry introduces the “Xenakoudis Excellence in Shipping Award”

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DNV at the Ekali Club In accordance with tradition from 2000, Det Norske Veritas, hosted its buffet dinner at the spacious Ekali Club on the Opening Day evening of Posidionia 2012. Over 400 guests enjoyed the hospitality of DNV, which encouraged not only great enjoyment, but also many interesting discussions. It was an unforgettable and well-organised evening, thanks to the incredible efforts of Nicholas Boussounis, Ioannis Kourmatzis and their team.

Nicholas Boussounis, Sr. Vice President and Manager of Region East Med, Black and Henrik Madsen, CEO of DNV Group, Caspian Seas, delivering his speech delivering his speech Bill Gallagher, Theo Xenakoudis and John Ramage

Unique to the Registry this year was the introduction of the Xenakoudis Excellence in Shipping Award which was unveiled Thursday night following the MIQC meeting and during the Registry’s Posidonia Reception. This award, as described by Bill Gallagher, was created in recognition of Captain Constantinos “Costas” Xenakoudis’ lifelong commitment to shipping. “Costas, who began his career with IRI after more than 30 years at sea, was committed to the vision of the Registry and laid the foundation for the success and growth of the Registry within the Greek Shipping Community. While he will be missed, his spirit and commitment to a life at sea will forever carry on,” said Mr Gallagher.

Capt. Xenakoudis’ wife, Antonia “Tanya” Xenakoudis was presented with the Xenakoudis Lifetime Achievement Award. The award henceforth will be known as the Xenakoudis Excellence in Shipping Award in recognition of Capt. Xenakoudis. The Award will be presented to individuals and organizations in the Greek Shipping Community, who, through their leadership, make a significant contribution and commitment to shipping.

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Nikolaos Manias (Arcadia Shipmanagement) been greeted by Constantinos Vlachiotis (DNV) and Remi Eriksen, CEO of DNV Maritime, Oil & Gas

Takis Koutris (Kristen Marine) arriving at the party

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Thomas Miller A great attendance at the new premises Thomas Miller had more visitors than ever before at their office Open Day on the Thursday of Posidonia week. 600 or so, members of the UK P&I and UK Defence Clubs, brokers and others in the industry attended on what is rapidly becoming a must on many people's event schedule during Posidonia.

Following an office refurbishment Father Prodromos from St Nicholas Church began proceedings at midday with an Orthodox blessing before the space gradually filled with all manner of familiar folk.

Those attending were able to see first hand the modified layout of the office including larger, more modern, seminar and meeting facilities, the redesigned entrance, new floor and ceiling.

Office Blessing

Paul Collier, Cedric Chatteleyn, Ilias Papanikas - P. L. Ferrari Greece and Giulio Rubesa - P. L. Ferrari Monaco

Costas Zoidis of Thomas Miller (Hellas) Ltd. and from left to right Elpida Topaloglou and Ioanna Topaloglou of Orion International Brokers, Angeliki Kallini of Richards Hogg, Effi Romessi of Orion International Brokers and Maria Mavroudi of Richards Hogg

RECEPTIONS Thomas Miller (Hellas) Ltd's Syndicate Manager, Rod Lingard, commented, "Maintaining a fully-functioning claims office in Piraeus has, for over 15 years, been a key component in offering direct and dedicated service to our P&I and Defence Members here in Greece. This office improvement further underlines our commitment to providing the highest level of service to our membership here in Greece."

The beauty of an open day is that there are always some surprise visitors. All are welcome and everyone fits in. It was great to have LMAA Arbitrators mixing with bunker brokers, Surveyors chatting with Underwriters, brokers and members meeting each other for the first time, non-members coming to say "hi" and, believe it or not, even the odd lawyer dropping in to keep us amused.

With more visitors came than ever before an unprecedented 2,200 sushi pieces and 2,200 duck rolls were consumed and the frozen mint daiquiris and magueritas clearly went down well with those looking for a cool cocktail to fend off the high temperatures.

George Pateras of Aegeus Shipping S.A. with Hugo Wynn-Williams and Andrew Ward and Claire Cavanagh of Hellenic War Risks

Alexandra Couvadelli with Zacharias Zacharis and Sophia Zachari

Hugo Wynn-Williams with Michael Vourlides of Minimar Shipping Co. Ltd. and Orestis Varonis of Union Marine Enterprises S.A.

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Hellenic Hull Mutual Association celebrated its 18th Anniversary On the occasion of Posidonia 2012, Hellenic Hull Mutual Association invited its Members, Associates and friends to a party held on Wednesday 30th May 2012, at Akrotiri club in order to celebrate its 18 years of successful operations.

Over 2,500 guests honored the Association’s Board of Directors with their presence which were greeted by Hellenic’s Chairman, Antonios Agapitos, the Directors, Ioannis Xylas and George Alexandratos, as well as by the Managing Director of Hellenic Hull Management, Ilias Tsakiris.

The party was attended by more than 300 shipowning companies, all the major international and local insurance brokers, solicitors’ firms and of course financial institutions.

By its complete presence at the event, the Greek shipping community sent a message of unity and extroversion – major contributors to the campaign against the crisis.

The Association with over 1,000 Members entered in its books, has gained the respect of the entire shipowning community, a clear indication of its responsible and reliable operations and the quality of services offered.

Since its launch, Hellenic has insured more than 7,500 vessels against Hull& Machinery risks and has paid out net claims over US$125 million.

Ilias Tsakiris and Apostolos Poulovasilis

I. Tsakiris and Evangelos Marinakis

Antonios Agapitos with guests

Eleni Antoniadou and Eirini Ntaifa Ilias Bobolos, Valia Gavrili greeting Cpt. Nikos Mazarakis

George Tsavliris with Zoe Sourpis

Alexandra Stathokostopoulou and Dr John Koustas

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The Bahamas Maritime Authority at the Yacht Club of Greece

RECEPTIONS Once again this year, representing one of the top five flags in shipping, made a very attractive presence having their reception at the Yacht Club of Greece on Friday 1 June, treating their guests, as indeed and during the previous Posidonia, to a grand view of the Posidonia Sailing Regatta.

The High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas in London, who is now also the accredited Ambassador to Greece, Paul Farquharson and the Second Secretary/Vice Consul, Mike Guy were also present as well as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Bahamas Maritime Authority, Ian Fair and Peter John Goulandris, the Managing Director /CEO of the BMA Commodore Davy F. Rolle and senior members of staff of the BMA.

Chris Oliver -Vice Chairman Bahamas Shipowners Association (BSA), Cdre Davy F. Rolle, H.E. Paul Farquharson -Bahamas High Commissioner, Ian Fair -BMA Chairman, and George D. Pateras –Chairman of BSA

George D. Pateras greeting RAdm. A. Kaloudis (Ret.) Director of the Hellenic Cruise Liners Association

Cdre D. F. Rolle, C. Oliver and Richard Sadler (Lloyd’s Register), D. F. Rolle and I. Fair

I. Fair with Antonis Faraklas (Chartworld Ltd.) Peter J. Goulandris, G. D. Pateras, George K. Zarvanos, D. F. Rolle and I. Fair

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WISTA Hellas combines Posidonia 2012 with a summer kick-off for one of the warmest gatherings yet!

This year’s WISTA Hellas Posidonia reception on Thursday June 7th took on a slightly different air, gathering both members and a “close” circle of WISTA friends to an early evening buffet reception at the Margi Hotel in Vouliagmeni for cocktails accompanied this time, by leisurely poolside discussions filled with much warmth and laughter.

The Board of Directors of WISTA Hellas greeted and welcomed their many guests, which of course consisted of members in Greece but also included many WISTA International members and special guests from all over the world attending the Exhibition. The attendees included among others, Aimilia Papachristou (Ministry of Development, Competitiveness & Shipping), Kathleen Haines (WISTA ExCo Treasurer), Stefano Bertilone (RINA -General Manager, Europe -Marine Division), Nicolas A. Vernicos (International Chamber of Commerce/Hellas), John Tsatsas (LMAA

George Xiradakis with Despina Papastylianou

Arbitrator), George Xiradakis (XRTC -Managing Director), Michael Bodouroglou (Allseas Marine S.A. -Chairman), Spyros Capralos (Star Bulk -CEO), Despina Papastylianou (ARGO), Ugo Salerno (RINA-CEO), Jeanne Grasso (WISTA USA -President), Nicolas Bornozis (Capital Link -President), Tom Boardley (Lloyd’s Register -Marine Director), Despina Theodosiou-Panagiotou (WISTA Cyprus -President), George Gourdomichalis (G. Bros Maritime / Piraeus Marine Club -President) and the list goes on…

In full supporting attendance were also many of the previous WISTA Hellas Board Executives.

While the situation in Greece right now is vexing, heaping on troubled thoughts for those who call Greece their home, the reception, which represented WISTA Hellas’s tribute to the Posidonia Exhibition while combining it with a cheerful summer kick-off in an environment conducive to appreciating some of what Greece has to offer, gave a chance to many to simply relax and enjoy the cozy atmosphere and company of others in the shipping industry.

The success of the gathering was evident, not only from the attendance which surpassed 350, but easily judged by the still packed venue of guests well after the party should have long before ended.

Zenon Kleopas, Maria Mavroudi, Patrick Hawkins, Christos Anagnostou, Jeanne Grasso, Angie Hartmann, Eleonora Bacha and Spyros Capralos

LBA Hellenic Committee Reception On the occasion of Possidonia 2012 the Hellenic Committee of Lloyd's Brokers' Associates held a reception at the Onassis Culture Centre, Athens, attended by over 180 guests.

Representatives from Marine Insurance Underwriters and P&I clubs as well as brokers, were amongst the attendees.

Possidonia proved once again that the presence of the Greek Shipping, together with the liaison of the State as well as the Shipping Community and Underwriters could assist to overcome the difficulties of the economic crisis and look to a brighter future ahead. (l to r) Takis Bartsiokas, George Karamanos, Maria Kouliga-Pavlou, Manos Lorentzos and Nicholas Apostolopoulos

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Matina Dede, Rea Metropoulou and Elftheria Magiafi from WISTA-Hellas with WISTA-Cyprus' President Despina Panagiotou-Theodosiou

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TradeWinds Shipowners Forum draws strong attendance to hear top speakers

George Economou (left) chats with Evangelos Marinakis

TradeWinds Shipowners Forum, the keynote conference of this year's Posidonia Exhibition, drew a full house of delegates to hear leading shipowners and other top industry figures discussing burning industry issues of the moment.

Lending a positive slant to the current uncertain situation, owners said they believe this is a good time for expansion.

"We are in the best opportunity the shipping space has seen since the mid-1980s", said Morten Arntzen, chief executive of Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG).

Arntzen revealed that the OSG has hired an additional 30 staff in its Athens office and will operate 80 ships out of Greece.

Angeliki Frangou, CEO of Navios Maritime Holdings believed the key to success is "to have a conservative balance sheet and have enough liquidity".

If a purchase makes sense today, then "you will be very happy later on".

Evangelos Marinakis of Capital Product Partners told delegates that for the next two or three years his company would be able to capitalise on opportunities, while Peter Weernink of Geneva-based SwissMarine Services revealed that after acquiring its first vessels last year, his company is actively considering buying further ships in the secondhand market to complement its huge chartered-in fleet.

But financing, especially for small and medium-size owners, may prove difficult, speakers said.

Harald Serck-Hanssen, global head of shipping and offshore at DNB, said there would be enough debt financing for good shipowners with banks that are still in the business, "but small to medium-size owners will struggle to find finance. That will over time change the landscape, particularly here in Greece", he said.

Morten Arntzen (left) of OSG with Harald Serck-Hansen of DNB

Peter Weernink of SwissMarine chatting with Angeliki Frangou of Navios

DryShips chairman George Economou believed shipowners will need to make an effort to raise cash.

"You will need a range of finance sources as banking is contracting and will again next year", he said.

The bond market is also difficult to access for small or medium-sized owners, said George Elliott, founder of Naftilia Asset Management.

"Even export credit agencies tend to favour big owners over the smaller owners", he said.

Another hot topic these days is the introduction of fuel-efficient, environment-friendly ship designs.

While Niels Bjørn Mortensen of Maersk Maritime Technology and Christopher Wiernicki of ABS both pointed to increasing bunker costs and increasing regulatory pressures as the most significant drivers for new technology as they laid out the pros and cons of the new designs, shipowners were lukewarm in their reception of such eco-ships.

"I have serious doubts about the new technology. We have to be cautious and see how these vessels will perform over a year, in rough seas and monitor them, said Marinakis.

Frangou and Economou were also unconvinced of the benefits of the new ship designs, while Arntzen was more critical than all.

Lashing out at shipyards for producing new ship designs that they are marketing cheaper than the conventional vessels at a time when oversupply is plaguing the market, Arntzen said owners are in effect being asked to subsidize shipyards and brokers.

More than 400 delegates from around the world, but with a strong representation of Greek shipowners attended the Forum, which will be a feature of Posidonia for the coming years.

Peter Weernink with George Elliott of Naftilia Asset Management

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2nd POSIDONIA SEA TOURISM FORUM:

Cruise sector challenges tremendous potential hindered by state protectionism practices The Minister of Development Competitiveness and Shipping, heads of international cruise sector bodies, senior officials from Greece’s port authorities and representatives from a wide spectrum of the cruising industry agreed at Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum that state protectionism is a stumbling block that discourages the potential growth of the country’s sea tourism.

They were addressing an audience of 200 cruise industry professionals who attended the 2nd Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum held today, Wednesday 6th June, at the sidelines of Posidonia 2012, the world’s biggest shipping trade event.

According to the then Minister of Development, Competitiveness and Shipping, Yannis Stournaras (today Finance Minister), Greece attracts 4.3 million cruise line passengers every year who spend some Euro 430 million at Greek destinations. Nearly 85 per cent of that spending benefits solely the port of Piraeus but in a post-cabotage era some 50 Greek ports have the potential to attract cruise ships and reap significant advantages for local businesses.

Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, Chairman of the European Cruise Council said that currently Greece ranks third in Europe behind Italy and Spain with 17 per cent of the total European cruise market.

The forum discussed the challenges that prohibit further growth of the cruise sector in Greece and debated a number of proposed solutions and recommendations that could fuel progress. The stringent and antiquated legislative framework, lack of modern and adequate infrastructure, issues with berth allocations, high and unstructured fees and charges and the lack of a common cruise port policy were high in the list of problems facing Greece’s cruise industry.

In response to these challenges, George Anomeritis, President of Greek Ports Association, said that the country is amidst a fiveyear investment programme worth Euro 420 million designed to revamp existing port infrastructure and has established a subsidiary organization of the Port of Piraeus to oversee development of regional ports and align the disparate local policies as part of a coordination effort that would eventually lead to a country-wide cruise port policy.

The 2nd Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum was opened by Theodore Vokos on behalf of the organizers. He said: “In the year which elapsed between the inaugural event and this year’s forum, we have seen some progress in the form of the partial lifting of cabotage and the good intentions of the government and the

bodies and associations who are actively involved in the Greek cruise sector. However we still have a long way to go and this forum will serve as an industry bellwether in order to assess progress on an annual basis, predict trends and recommend solutions that will hopefully manage to move the needle of the compass to the true north permanently”.

Other speakers at the forum included: Andreas Andreadis, President, Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), George Gratsos, President, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, Stavros Hatzakos, President, MedCruise, Theodore Kontes, President, Union of Cruise Ship-owners and Associated Members, George Telonis, President, HATTA, Apostolos Ventouris, President, Association of Passenger Shipping Companies, Athanasios Pallis, General Secretary of Ports & Port Policy, Ministry of Development, Competitiveness & Shipping, Ioannis Bras - President and Managing Director, Heraklion Port Authority, David Gerasklis - Former Vice President Harbour Management Organisation of Kos, Yiorgos Kastellanos - Executive Director, Hellenic Ports Association, George Koumpenas, Senior General Manager, Fleet Operations, Louis Cruises, Neil Palomba, COO of MSC and Chairman of the ECC Ports Sub-Committee, Andreas Stylianopoulos, President of Navigator Travel, VP of Cruise Sector SEEN, board member of SETE, John Tercek, Vice President Commercial and New Business Development, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Cruise update Moderators were: Professor John Tzoannos, Special Advisers FIPRA international, former Secretary General of Ministry of Mercantile Marine and Chrissie Palassis, Partner, CTM Hellas.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 33

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HELMEPA’s conference on state-of-the-art environmental shipping The extent to which current available technological and operational means can sustain an environmentally friendly shipping industry was explored at HELMEPA’s Conference on State-of-theArt Environmental Ship Design and Operation. Marking the Association’s 30th Anniversary, this conference was organized to further spread the voluntary spirit of HELMEPA towards pollution prevention and safety at sea in the face of technological advancements.

Welcoming all those present, the Chairman of HELMEPA’s Board of Directors, Dr John Coustas, set the scene for the co-

environmental challenges confronting shipping today including ballast water treatment and exhaust gas emissions, while the issue of ship energy efficiency was given various dimensions ranging from innovative ship design, use of alternative propulsion fuels predominantly liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a series of promising operational measures such as slow steaming, engine optimization and propeller efficiency improvement.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Development, Competitiveness and Shipping of Greece, Nikos Litinas, congratulated HELMEPA on its enduring role in promoting (r to l) Dr John Coustas, Tor Svensen, Dimitris Mitsatsos, Prof. Harilaos Psaraftis and Christiana Prekezes - environmental awareness. This successful event HELMEPA's Executive Coordinator and Conference Coordinator was an opportunity for over 150 participants to existence of an ever-progressive innovative shipping fleet grasp the complexities of environmental regulations and possible with a protected marine environment by referring to the solutions for greener shipping.

HELMEPA founders’ precursory vision for the raising of environmental consciousness among seafarers and shipowners alike.

The Director General of HELMEPA, Dimitris Mitsatsos, in turn presented the evolution of HELMEPA through the Association’s achievements over its 30 years in operation.

The main programme of the conference included presentations by Tor Svensen, DNV President Maritime, Oil & Gas, Prof. Harilaos Psaraftis from the National Technical University of Athens, Patrick Janssens, ABS Vice President LNG, Sun Bin Yim, SAMSUNG Heavy Industry, Naval Architecture, Assistant Manager and Member of the Project Planning Team, and Dimitris Vastarouhas, Technical Director and Deputy Chief Operation Officer of DANAOS Shipping.

The above experts presented key topics relevant to major (l to r) Sun Bin Yim, Patrick Janssens, Dr J. Coustas, Dimitris Vastarouhas and C. Prekezes 34 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

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GL ready to face tomorrow’s challenges At the Germanischer Lloyd Press Conference during the second day of the Posidonia 2012, which was attended by many representatives of the Press as well as exhibitors and visitors, Athanasios Reisopoulos, Vice President, Area Manager for Southern Europe, Germanischer Lloyd, presented the “Latest Developments of GL in Greece”.

Mr Reisopoulos pointed out that Germanischer Lloyd (GL) in Piraeus has expanded its competence in the last five years being converted from an inspection office with 5 surveyors to a competent Area office with approximately 30 staff members offering a large number of services to its local clients. A large number of authorisations have been entrusted to GL Piraeus by the GL Head Office in order to respond more closely, effectively and faster to the Greek shipping companies.

Acting as the Area Office for Southern Europe, it includes a Fleet in Service Department Hellas which supports Greek owned shipping companies, as well as a Plan Approval Department (CL-D-F Hellas), and GL Academy Hellas.

Over the last 12 months, GL Academy Hellas Training Centre held 28 open seminars and 7 in-house seminars serving over 250 participants.

GL’s fleet in the Greek market has tripled over the past few years; from 2.9 Mio GT in 2006 to 7.3 Mio GT in 2012.

GL has established a cooperation between Greek clients and GL organisation in shipbuilding nations (such as China or Korea). The appointment of Evgenios Koumoudhis, formerly GL Country Manager of Cyprus, as the new Area Manager for Greater China with GL will only enhance this cooperation.

To ensure that newbuilding vessels will be in line with current and future requirements, GL continues to work closely with shipping companies and the GL Head Office in Hamburg, 36 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

Germany, during the pre-contract phase.

This was followed with a presentation by Albrecht Grell, Executive Vice President Maritime Solutions, on GL Academy’s new portfolio of Energy Efficiency Seminars.

Mr Grell started the presentation by discussing what does the introduction of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) really mean? What are the advantages of gas as ship fuel? How can a certified energy management system help to improve your carbon footprint? What can be done to optimise operations? Rising fuel prices and stricter environmental regulation call for action in the shipping industry. GL Academy now offers new seminars on different topics focusing on energy efficiency.

In 2012, GL Academy is developing a broad variety of new training courses dedicated to energy efficiency. Energy savings can be gained at all stages of a ship’s lifecycle. New seminars on Hull and Propulsion Maintenance, Voyage Optimisation and Optimised Ship Handling inform about what can be done to make ships in operation more efficient. Additionally, the seminar portfolio includes courses on ship newbuilding and design, i.e. on the EEDI in Practice and Gas as Ship Fuel. Seminars on the Application and Implementation of a SEEMP or Energy Management according to ISO 50001 cover the management aspect of energy efficient operations.

Since five of the new energy efficiency portfolio seminars correspond to the recommendation of the IMO model course for Energy Efficient Operation of Ships (MEPC62/Inf.39), participants who have attended all of these seminars will be awarded a special GL Academy certificate. It will certify that he/she has attended a comprehensive classroom based training, which covers all topics recommended in the model course. The respective seminars would be Application & Implementation of a SEEMP, Hull & Propulsion Maintenance, Voyage Optimisation, Optimised Ship Handling and Energy Efficient Fleet Management.

Mr Grell quoted Vice President Susanne Schreeck, head of GL Academy, who said that “Our energy efficiency seminars have been developed in direct response to market needs. We are strongly committed to further developing our portfolio in the field of energy efficiency and environmental protection. It is our goal to both inform our customers about potential options and advice how to implement individual solutions.” Customers can select single seminars or combine several courses. Participants will benefit from the trainers’ in-depth knowledge and experience, extensive material and the exchange with other industry experts.

Ready to face not only today’s but tomorrow’s challenges, GL Academy will continue to expand its portfolio of energy efficiency seminars in order to continuously help vessels become more eco-friendly and competitively viable.

Torsten Schramm, GL’s COO continued with GL’s Port State performance saying that the United States Coast Guard (USCG)

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has published its Annual Port State Control (PSC) Report and Annual Class Performance List for 2011. Germanischer Lloyd (GL) is again in the top performing group with a detention ratio of 0%. In over 1,500 distinct vessel arrivals there was no determination of class responsibility in any USCG detention of a GL classed vessel. In May the Tokyo MOU’s Annual Report on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region was also released. The class performance rankings list for 2009-2011 once again saw GL placed among the top performing ROs, with a performance level of “high.”

Port State Control (PSC) is an instrument for the inspection of foreign ships in national ports to verify that the condition of the ship and its equipment complies with the requirements of international regulations and that the ship is manned and operated in

compliance with these rules. To effectively develop and maintain the PSC system, coastal countries in various areas of the world have established regional agreements on Port State Control: Memoranda of Understanding or MoUs. These regional agreements now cover most of the world's oceans, with each administration having their own data base of information. This system is essential for maintaining ship safety, environmental protection and operating systems.

The USGC statistics show that overall arrivals of GL classed vessels were up from 2009 and 2010, with 1,174 and 1,112 arrivals respectively, to 1,561 distinct vessel arrivals. GL is one of only two Recognised Organisations (ROs), with more than 1,000 distinct arrivals in each of the last three years, to have no class related detentions assessed.

Anti-piracy seminar hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Athens On June 5, 2012 during the Posidonia 2012 International Shipping Exhibition, the Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy in Athens, staged a first-ever Maritime Anti-Piracy Seminar which attracted many executives from the Greek and global shipping community. The seminar, which was opened by the U.S. Ambassador, Daniel B. Smith, showcased four U.S. companies offering anti-piracy technologies and services ranging from UAV-based surveillance support to acoustic barriers eliminating the pirate threat. As the largest commercial shipping exhibition in the world, Posidonia was an excellent venue for these firms to present their companies to shipowners worldwide.

The following U.S. companies presented their maritime antipiracy technologies and solutions: Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company, principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced products & services. Furthermore, the company offers autonomous aerial vehicles, high optical cameras, and high quality sensors at a low cost.

LRAD Corporation developed its line of Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD) to assist military and security personnel determine the intent of potential threats not responding to radio calls, providing operators time and distance to scale their response based on a threat’s actions. Preventing piracy requires every vessel transiting high-risk sea lanes have a vigilant crew and a compre-

hensive EOF protocol. LRAD is an essential EOF capability for international naval and commercial security forces to protect crew and cargo, reduce national and corporate liability and prevent deadly incidents by saving lives on both sides of the Long Range Acoustic Device.

Meridian Global Consulting, LLC is a veteran-owned, private security firm that specializes in maritime anti-piracy operations in high-risk waters around the world. Meridian has a proud record of completing 100% of its transits without incident. Staffed entirely by combat-decorated U.S. Marines and U.S. Special Forces veterans, Meridian is able to provide highly trained and experienced personnel who offer scalable risk mitigation solutions all while at a reasonable cost. Meridian’s foremost concern is ensuring that the crew and vessel are free from harm yet we seek to do so without indiscriminate use of force.

SIRCHIE is a comprehensive manufacturer of the highest quality crime scene investigation and forensics evidence collection supplies. Our products are used by law enforcement agencies around the world to identify, collect, record, analyze, evaluate, and archive physical evidence. Sirchie’s expansive offerings include light sources, drying cabinets, workstations, optical enhancement equipment, narcotic and blood alcohol tests, sexual assault and DNA kits, personal protection, vehicles, and proprietary law enforcement software. Sirchie’s Education and Training division is like no other in the world and has graduated over 100,000 students.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 37

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RINA helps owners facing heightened environmental expectations International classification society RINA is focussing its efforts on helping shipowners to face up to heightened environmental expectations. At a seminar held during Posidonia 2012, after a welcome by Spyridon Zolotas, Country Manager for Greece, RINA’s head of Innovation and Research, Andrea Cogliolo, showed shipowners how a step-by-step approach to fuel saving could reduce overall energy costs and also assist compliance with regulations. He also highlighted how an index-based approach such as RINA’s Green Plus scheme could improve environmental performance and minimise cost by helping owners make

emission impacts and possible future developments.

Ballast Water Treatment is a major concern for shipowners today, so RINA used the seminar to explain how the IMO regulations work, highlight pitfalls for owners and point them towards appropriate solutions for their vessels.

Andreas Papalimneos, Piraeus Training Centre Manager, presented the new RINA Training Centre in Greece, which delivers a wide range of courses for shipowners and operators. All are aimed at strengthening the most vital resource for shipowners, the human factor.

Spyridon Zolotas

Andreas Papalimneos

appropriate choices of technology and operational practices.

Cogliolo, explaining how RINA’s experience with gas and its new rules could help owners to adopt this option, introduced Giulio Tirelli, Wartsila Director Business Development. He showed shipowners how moving to LNG as a fuel could improve both economic and environmental results, and highlighted the progress made in setting up LNG as fuel for marine engines. He gave an overview on the current LNG market situation and touched upon

Today the RINA-classed Greek fleet tops 280 vessels totalling 4.5 MGT, and the Group provides a local plan approval service and consultancy support in Piraeus. The current fleet is well diversified with a strong presence in each sector - bulk, dry cargo, tanker, passenger, warships and service craft.

Thanks to its experience in the passenger ferry, RINA acquired a leading position in this sector. Today, RINA is consolidating its position also in the tanker sector, with a growth of ten per cent by dwt during 2011.

RINA has had a presence in Greece for over 20 years and is a well-known certification body providing international certification schemes such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, SA 8000, ISO 27001 and several code of conduct standards.

Andrea Cogliolo

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Greek shipowners:

Despite the crisis, Greek shipping remains at the top use of armed guards is not a panacea. It does not constitute a solution of the problem but only a supplementary measure for the protection of seafarers, vessels and cargoes.

Another issue of serious concern is the large number of technical measures imposed on shipping at international or regional level based on new environmental standards. In the context of international pressure for the reduction of green house gases from ships, unfortunately shipping has been identified as one of the potential convenient sources of revenue, but not to a degree proportional with the low level of its contribution to air pollution. It is, however, positive that the competent International Maritime Organization (IMO) was the first international organization which adopted new international Regulations for the reduction of CO2 emissions from ships, proving that it has the dynamism to continue the exclusive handling of this case.

At national level, since 2009, Greek shipping, despite the impressive foreign exchange inflow always depending on the freight market level - and the opportunity of employment offered on board ships and The UGS BoD: Michael D. Chandris, Theodore E. Veniamis, Dr Mattheos D. Los and John C. Lyras ashore, was deprived unjustifiably of the supportive services of its qualified administrative authority. The abolition of the Ministry of “Greek shipping endures and makes progress. Despite the deep Mercantile Marine, in a country with one of the largest fleets in the financial crisis of the entire planet and especially Greece, Greek shipworld, and the detachment of the Coast Guard corps resulted in ping remains at the top of the international league, closely connected administrative deregulation and confusion in the implementation of with its national basis, with a fleet of 3,325 vessels, a total tonnage of the proper policy for shipping operations and, in particular, for the 227 million dwt and average age of 10,5 years”. closer ties between vessels and the national economy, which With those words, Theodore Veniamis, the President of the Union inevitably are seriously impeded. of Greek Shipowners (UGS), addressed a press conference for Greek The shipping community is always preoccupied and especially lately and foreign journalists in the venue of the Posidonia International with the need for modernization and upgrading of the entire maritime Exhibition 2012. education system in order to optimize as much as possible the evident “You may know”, Mr Veniamis stated, that “my compatriot recent turn of youngsters to the seafaring profession. The current shipowners on my island, Chios, used to say that the sea gets sick but economic and social conjuncture facilitates the success of this endeavour. never dies. We fully share this belief and we try to follow their task.

Despite the international economic crisis which is adversely hitting Of course, the overall environment has changed. The circumstances world seaborne trade, Greek shipowners believe that they will successat sea are completely different today, compared to past years. Somefully respond to the several big challenges and that their shipping will times they may be better but in many cases, they are adverse and keep its leading role in the international league of “tomorrow”. complicated, demanding faith, strength and hard effort. Globalization “The above statements cover the position and progress of Greek shipand its side-effects, the galloping development of marine technology, ping today”, Mr Veniamis said and concluding, he added: “Taking the the exaggerated and not always disinterested measures at central and opportunity of this gathering, I would also like to announce the following: regional level, disturbing the smooth operation of vessels, the finanThe shipping community is prepared to intervene most effectively in cial and lending illiquidity, the effects of the economic crisis on the order to give its due support to the hardly tried segments of our socifreight market but also the scourge of piracy, are critical challenges ety. It has done so several times in the past, personally and collectively, for the shipping industry of the 21st century”. with care, responsibility and also deep and disinterested human and As regards the problem of piracy, in particular, the UGS President patriotic feeling. And always without publicity. emphasized that it takes threatening dimensions day by day. The The Union of Greek Shipowners has already at its disposal the reason is the absence of the strong political will of the international necessary capital from contributions especially from our colleagues community to address it in the most effective way. Recently, the but also from their collaborators all over the world. We are in the Greek state upon proposal of the shipping community, adopted the process of setting up special projects, following thorough research, in necessary legislation to allow the use of certified private armed order to safeguard the best possible disposal of the collected sums”. guards on board Greek flag vessels along the lines of similar legislaMr Veniamis, said to the journalists that more detailed information tion of other countries. However, it should be emphasized that the on this endeavour will receive shortly.

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INTERMEPA’s Steering Committee convenes in Athens Against the backdrop of Posidonia 2012, members of the INTERMEPA Steering Committee (SC) met on Thursday 7 June in Athens, over a working lunch to discuss important issues on the international MEPA agenda.

Member MEPAs represented were from AUSMEPA (Australia), CYMEPA (Cyprus), HELMEPA (Greece), NAMEPA (U.S.A.), and TURMEPA (Turkey). Addressing the SC on behalf of outgoing Chairman, Teczan Yaramanci of TURMEPA, Jonathan Beard (TURMEPA

(l to r) INTERMEPA’s Vice Chairman Warwick Norman, Chairman George Tsavliris and Secretary Dimitris C. Mitsatsos

The INTERMEPA Steering Committee

42 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

Treasurer) commented on the efforts of the Chairmanship during their 2-year tenure, suggesting certain items to be considered in the future.

Following, the new INTERMEPA Chairman and Vice Chairman were elected. George Tsavliris, CYMEPA’s President and Warwick Norman, AUSMEPA’s Vice Chairman, assumed the positions respectively.

Speaking to the committee for the first time as Chairman, Mr. Tsavliris expressed his conviction that the most effective catalyst for the important work of INTERMEPA is the continued synergy between member MEPAs. He continued in stressing that it is through encouragement rather than inducement that this can be achieved.

Deliberations centered around the proliferation of the voluntary MEPA spirit to other countries. Current cooperative initiatives were evaluated together with the potential to further extend collaboration between MEPAs through uniform campaigns to activate and unite the global community in the fight against marine pollution. Members of the SC took the floor in turn to present their individual MEPA progress and future directions.

Proceedings concluded with the delineation of the date of the next convening of the SC in early 2013 in Singapore and members left the successful meeting confident that the essence of INTERMEPA would endure.

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STANDS Lloyd’s Register

Bureau Veritas With its elegant, prominently placed stand, BV once more impressed the thousands of visitors at Posidonia 2012. Always busy but well-manned, BV surveyors and administrators were on hand to deal with both the answering of queries and offering BV hospitality to their visitors.

After the end of the opening ceremony, Panagiotis Pikrammenos visited the LR stand, where Tom Boardley and Apostolos Poulovassilis briefly discussed with the Prime Minister and offered him the Lloyd’s Register “thyreos”

(l to r) Bernard Anne, Lambros A. Chahalis, Didier Bouttier and George Xiradakis

Something new this year was the presentation of a series of five-minute mini-seminars at the LR stand to deliver key messages on its services to the shipping industry. Key themes were energy management as well as air emissions, LNG-as-fuel tank location, training, competence, and – vitally in today’s more complex world – the need to address risk issues in the design process, for both newbuildings and retro-fit projects, when there are no rules. Apostolos Poulovassilis, Tony Field, John Iakovou, Stavros Meidanis and Anthi Miliou, from the Piraeus office, delivered brief presentations.

(r to l) C. Christoforou, L. A. Chahalis, Cpt. Panagiotis Tsakos, Efthimios Mitropoulos, Didier Bouttier

BV has maintained its extensive market share since the last time round. With nearly 10,000 ships in its portfolio, and many offshore projects, BV stands on solid ground. As one of the world’s leading inspection and certification societies, it offers its large number of international clients a comprehensive product line of services to help them expand their business and improve performance.

As a prime player, BV is committed to partnering its clients in their efforts to control risks, with added value to their projects and achievements.

BV staff at the opening

Union of Shipowners’ Board of Directors led by President Theodore Veniamis at the stand of Lloyd’s Register

Lloyd’s Register has built a reputation for improving safety and environmental performance at every stage of a ship’s life. It works with owners, operators and builders worldwide, delivering tailored solutions based on unrivalled experience and the latest technical insight.

LR’s international network gives them an unrivalled view of the technical developments shaping shipping today.

The classification’s independence means it can offer impartial advice to its clients, which puts safety first.

George Tsavliris with Zoe Sourpis and Apostolos Poulovassilis

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STANDS MAN Diesel & Turbo Hellas awarded ISO certification

by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance MAN Diesel & Turbo Hellas (MDT Hellas) was formally awarded the ISO 9001:2008 certification by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), at a ceremony, which was held at MAN’s stand, on the 5th of June.

The widespread application of the ISO 9001:2008-standard and its significant importance in managing quality along the supply chains has lead MAN Diesel Turbo Hellas to seek certification.

MAN Group’s journey to quality definitely does not start here. Quality management has always been an important part of the organisation and has always been in focus, from sourcing, production, assembly, to testing and commissioning of products, including PrimeServ activities. It is, however, with great pride that MAN Group now sees the Greek Business Unit further contributing to and enhancing the Group’s long-lasting commitment to quality.

During the awarding ceremony, the ISO certificate was handed to Dr Stephan Timmermann, Board Member MAN Diesel & Turbo S.A., responsible for the Maritime Business and Dimitris Vlantos, Managing Director of MAN Diesel & Turbo Hellas, by Tom Boardley, Lloyd’s Register Marine Director, in the presence of Apostolos Poulovassilis, Lloyd’s Register Regional Marine Manager EMEA and John Kalafatis, LRQA Business Centre Manager EMBS. Dimitris Vlantos said: “ISO certification is very important to our office as it helps us manage our systems in the direction of continuous improvement.

The unique approach of LRQA Business Assurance assessors helped us see tangible benefits from this process, while also helping us identify opportunities for improving performance and reducing risk”.

John Kalafatis said: “We are here to celebrate the Quality Management System Certification of MAN Diesel Turbo Hellas and most of all to congratulate MAN Group’s true commitment for continuous improvement and provision of high quality products and services. It is really encouraging to see that, in today’s difficult times, companies like MAN rely on their management systems to further manage their business risks”.

Dr Stephan Timmermann adds: “In the light of serving the market with the highest level of professionalism, this Certification is an important milestone, which we target for in every site of our global organization of more than 110 hubs. I congratulate our office in Piraeus to this great achievement”.

Dimitris Vlantos – Managing Director MAN Diesel & Turbo Hellas Ltd with Dr Stephan Timmermann - Executive Board member at MAN Diesel & Turbo SA

(l to r) John Kalafatis, Tom Boardley, Dr Stephan Timmermann, Dimitris Vlantos and Apostolos Poulovassilis

About MAN Diesel & Turbo MAN Diesel & Turbo SE, based in Augsburg, Germany, is the world’s leading provider of large-bore diesel engines and turbomachinery for marine and stationary applications. It designs two-stroke and four-stroke engines that are manufactured both by the company and by its licensees. The engines have power outputs ranging from 450 kW to 87 MW. MAN Diesel & Turbo also designs and manufactures gas turbines of up to 50 MW, steam turbines of up to 150 MW and compressors with volume flows of up to 1.5 million m³/h and pressures of up to 1,000 bar. The product range is rounded off by turbochargers, CP propellers, gas engines and chemical reactors. MAN Diesel & Turbo’s range of goods includes complete marine propulsion systems, turbomachinery units for the oil & gas as well as the process industries and turnkey power plants. Customers receive worldwide after-sales services marketed under the MAN PrimeServ brand. The company employs around 14,000 staff at more than 100 international sites, primarily in Germany, Denmark, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, India and China. MAN Diesel & Turbo is a company in the Power Engineering business area of MAN SE, which is listed in the DAX share index of the 30 leading companies in Germany.

D. Vlantos with Dr S. Timmermann

D. Vlantos with J. Kalafatis - LRQA Business Centre Manager EMBS SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 45

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STANDS IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry

Germanischer Lloyd Large and impressive, the GL stand at Posidonia 2012 attracted a great number of visitors. Dr Marina Papaioannou, GL Academy coordinator and also a member of GL Academy Hellas, Athanasios Reisopoulos, GL vice president, Area Mediterranean/Southern Africa, Eric van der Noordaa, GL Group Executive Board chairman, and their associates were there to discuss a variety of shipping matters with the shipping community.

Of special interest was the presentation of Maritime Labour Statements of Compliance to Allseas Marine SA for the vessels Calm Seas, Kind Seas and Pearl Seas, that took place at the stand during Posidonia week. The certificates were presented to Michael Bodouroglou, managing director of Allseas Marine, by Michael Bodouroglou receives the certificates from Oliver Darley Oliver Darley, vice president and global head of systems certification at GL, and Athanasios Reisopoulos. Through the presentation of these certificates GL confirms that the working and living conditions of the crew on these cargo ships meet the requirements of the incoming Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.

GL has driven a whole series of maritime innovations since 1867.

Today, GL supervises more than 7,000 vessels of more than 100 million gt, across all vessel segments.

Many improvements in maritime safety and technology have resulted from GL E. Xynos, Dimitris Sariklis, Theodore Veniamis, Eric van innovations. der Noordaa and Panos Laskaridis at GL stand The key to maximizing performance and profitability is ensuring operational safety and minimizing risk of detention. In both fields, GL has high levels of expertise and a record that is second-to-none.

G. Skrimitzeas, A. Reisopoulos, M. Bodouloglou, T. Schramm, O. Darley, A. Grell

46 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

From its prominent position, The Marshall Islands Registry stand, was one of the busiest during the exhibition. Theofilos Xenakoudis, Managing Director of IRI’s Piraeus office with Lucy Mylonaki and their associates were there to offer their valuable services to IRI’s customers and visitors in general.

They strongly believe that Posidonia provides an excellent opportunity for executives from the Registry’s worldwide offices to reconnect with current contacts and industry stakeholders.

IRI/Marshall Islands is the world’s third largest ship registry, reaching 80 million gross tons and over 2,600 vessels at the end of February 2012. Vessel types include, among others, oil tankers, LNG/gas carriers, bulk carriers, passenger vessels, mobile offshore drilling, production or service units, container ships and yachts.

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STANDS Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement

(l to r) Theophanis Theophanous, Andreas Droussiotis, Adonis Violaris with associates and visitors

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement had a dynamic presence at Posidonia 2012, attracting numerous visitors to its stand. Theophanis Theophanous – Managing Director of BSM (Hellas), Andreas Droussiotis with Adonis Violaris of BSM (Cyprus) and their associates were there to meet old acquaintances and offer their best service.

Bernhard Schulte Ship management is a highly integrated maritime services company and a market leader in quality, versatility and fleet size. BSM provides an unparalleled concentration of shore and ship-based maritime and engineering expertise.

With service and crew delivery centres in over 25 countries worldwide, BSM maintains the highest degree of operational and safety integrity over a managed fleet of more than 650 ships and over 17,000 employees onboard and ashore.

RINA RINA’s spacious and streamlined stand was buzzing with activity during Posidonia week. Stefano Bertilone, RINA general manager, Europe - Marine Division based in Genoa, Spyridon Zolotas, RINA country manager for Greece, and their associates were there to present latest developments in the register’s services to the maritime community.

(l to r) Spyridon Zolotas, Nicky Pappadakis, Haidi Pappadakis, George Youroukos of Technomar Shipping Inc., Ugo Salerno and Stefano Bertilone

In a special ceremony, RINA chairman and CEO Ugo Salerno presented an honorary plaque to Nicky Pappadakis, in recognition of his contribution as chairman of the RINA Hellenic Advisory Committee from 2006 to 2011.

RINA’s new training centre in Greece, offering a wide range of educational seminars for shipowners and shipping company executives, was also introduced.

RINA is a multinational group capable of providing full support to its clients in the development and management of their activities throughout all phases, sharing its innovation potential, competency, integrity and experience for the Ugo Salerno presents the honorary plaque success of new initiatives. to Nicky Pappadakis RINA Hellas Ltd, established in Piraeus by the RINA group, offers classification services to all kinds of ships, specialised yachting services, training and ISO certification, and cooperates with the most reputable shipping companies in Greece.

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STANDS Det Norske Veritas

The Bahamas Maritime Authority

Cdre Davy F. Rolle, Peter J. Goulandris, Efthimios Mitropoulos, George D. Pateras, Ian Fair and Capt Panagiotis Tsakos

The Posidonia stand of the Bahamas Maritime Authority, was again very well attended and in addition there was a further noticeable presence, attracting quite a lot of interest, of the Bahamas Shipowners Association under the recently elected Chairman, George D. Pateras.

The DNV stand, impressive as ever, also attracted a great number of visitors during Posidonia week. Nikolaos Boussounis and George Teriakidis, together with other high level experts, were at the ready to offer their best to the shipping community.

DNV is an independent foundation whose primary aim is to safeguard life, property and the environment.

Through its network of 300 offices in 100 countries, DNV serves a wide range of industries with a special focus on the maritime and energy sectors, combining its technology expertise and industry knowledge.

48 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

D. Tseretopoulos, Dwain Hutchinson, Stephen Keenan, G. D. Pateras and George K. Zarvanos

It is to be noted that the Bahamas flag fleet is continuously growing and the most significant section is vessels of Greek ownership. The recently established office in Hong Kong has now become fully operational providing coverage in the Far East Region. In addition to the Bahamas flag being on the white list of all the MoUs and a very active member of the IMO Council, it was officially recently announced by the US Coast Guard that the Bahamas has also now been included in the members of QUALSHIP 21.

Cdre D. F. Rolle, S. Keenan, D. Hutchinson (BMA)

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STANDS American Bureau of Shipping The outstanding presence of ABS made an excellent impression on Posidonia visitors. Its well-designed stand attracted substantial numbers while Vassilios Kroustallis and his associates were there to provide assistance with regard to the organisation’s class services.

Celebrating 150 years of service, ABS continues to pursue its mission of serving the public interest as well as the needs of its clients by promoting the security of life and property, and the preservation of the natural environment.

ABS has a global network of local offices to support clients from concept development and initial design, during construction, and throughout the service life of the vessel. ABS Nautical Systems offers leading fleet management software solutions to maritime and offshore operators.

PPG PMC exhibits excellent business performance at Posidonia 2012 PPG Protective & Marine Coatings (PPG) has attended the Posidonia exhibition for a number of years and, once again, came away with a significant amount of new business this year.

As always, Posidonia was well attended, not only by Greek ship owners, but also owners from most other nations, as well as

numerous suppliers of ship’s equipment and shipping-related services.

PPG made an excellent impression with its stand and received very positive feedback on the new layout from customers, prospects and other visitors. The SIGMA COATINGS® brand, and also leading products and services, such as SIGMAGLIDE® 990 (biocide-free fouling release coating), PHENGUARD™ (tank coating), SIGMASHIELD™ 1200 (protective coating for extreme conditions) and the SIGMACARE® PLUS online service tool for onboard maintenance, were strongly promoted and featured prominently on the stand with large messaging on highly visible plasma screens. The show also turned out to be an excellent opportunity to launch the latest edition of the PPG Primetime customer magazine, which was immediately distributed to customers visiting the stand.

Importantly, a great deal of interest was generated in PPG’s marine coatings solutions. In particular, four new-buildings were secured with some reputable ship owners while at Posidonia.

Some of these vessels are to be coated with the PHENGUARD system, a proven tank coating system providing maximum resistance to aggressive cargoes. Several other new-building prospects were discussed further and the company is optimistic that these projects will also materialize.

As a result of these confirmed and potential contracts, plus the positive feedback from existing customers and new prospects, Posidonia 2012 has proven to be extremely successful for PPG.

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE. (TM) PPG Industries’ vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and specialty products’ company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 60 countries around the world.

Sales in 2011 were $14.9 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 49

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STANDS Jotun Hellas Ltd

The UGS President, Theodore Veniamis and other visitors at the Jotun Hellas stand

Posidonia 2012 turned out to be a success for Jotun Hellas Ltd with record-breaking crowds of current and potential clients, visitors and friends who visited the company’s exhibition stand.

Jotun A/S is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of paints and coatings with 71 companies and 39 production facilities spread over the continents. The company is active in every aspect of coating technology and advises customers on the most effective solutions for the prevention of corrosion and fouling.

Jotun is recognized as the leading supplier of high technology coatings and the most advanced range of anti-foulings.

The busy Jotun stand

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Technava

Posidonia has been a very important trade show for TECHNAVA, as it has served as a networking forum between shipping industry professionals and has laid the foundations for numerous business transactions providing direct contact with shipowners and the maritime community in general.

TECHNAVA, being punctual to its 14th consecutive Posidonia participation and treasuring the upcoming business opportunity with its long lasting partners, has once more declared its strong and vivid presence in one of Venue’s biggest spaces.

Their stand, expanding to 200m2, hosted 80 guests representing first class manufacturers covering a wide range of machinery, whereas Technava crew of 85 highly skilled individuals, were there eager to welcome their guests and offer a flavor of expertise and know-how.

A good number of important customers visited Technava stand, including Technical Managers, NB Managers, Head Purchasers, S/Es, even Owners themselves in order to pay their respects to their long lasting colleagues and collaborators and once more proclaim their interest and entrustment in Technava’s products’ technology and reliability.

1,200 visitors stopped by Technava stand, which was cohosted with CASS TECHNAVA MARITIME, one of Greece’s leading broking houses, having concluded more than 100 Newbuilding ships for Greek interests.

ΞΕΝΗ ΔΗΜΟΣΙΕΥΣΗ Εφοδιασμός ναυτιλιακών καυσίμων Είναι γνωστό ότι οι εξαιρετικές, ιδιαίτερα δυσμενείς οικονομικές συνθήκες που επικρατούν στη χώρα, αναμφισβήτητα έχουν επηρεάσει όλους τους τομείς επιχειρηματικότητας, ωστόσο η σοβαρή προσπάθεια που καταβάλλεται τον τελευταίο καιρό για την εξυγίανση της αγοράς των πετρελαιοειδών είναι απαραίτητο να υποστηριχθεί από όλους ανεξαιρέτως τους εμπλεκόμενους φορείς και παράγοντες. O Σύνδεσμος Εταιριών Εμπορίας Πετρελαιοειδών Ελλάδος κρίνει σκόπιμο να επισημάνει στην εφοπλιστική κοινότητα τα παρακάτω: Κατά το τελευταίο διάστημα, ο ΣΕΕΠΕ, μέσω των Mελών του, δέχεται πληροφορίες ότι, εταιρίες που δε διαθέτουν την προβλεπόμενη από την ισχύουσα νομοθεσία Άδεια, εμφανίζονται ως δήθεν νόμιμοι προμηθευτές ναυτιλιακών καυσίμων στους κύκλους των δικαιούχων του προϊόντος αυτού (καταναλωτών, πλοιοκτητριών εταιριών), και εφοδιάζουν τους τελευταίους. Ο εφοδιασμός κατά τα ανωτέρω, δεν αποκλείεται (ανάλογα ασφαλώς με τα χαρακτηριστικά κάθε περίπτωσης) να επισύρει έννομες συνέπειες και για τους αποδέκτες του προϊόντος (πλοιοκτήτριες εταιρίες/καταναλωτές) και επιβάλλεται οι πλοιοκτήτριες εταιρίες να βρίσκονται, κατά τις συναλλαγές τους, σε εγρήγορση, ώστε να μην εμπλακούν, εν αγνοία τους, με οποιονδήποτε τρόπο σε μη νόμιμη δραστηριότητα. Για το σκοπό αυτό, σας συνιστούμε να συμβουλεύεστε τακτικά το Μητρώο Αδειών Εμπορίας του Υπουργείου Περιβάλλοντος, Ενέργειας και Κλιματικής Αλλαγής, όπου είναι καταγεγραμμένοι οι κάτοχοι Αδειών Εμπορίας Αφορολόγητων Ναυτιλιακών Καυσίμων (Άδεια Κατηγορίας Β1). Από πλευράς του ΣΕΕΠΕ, οι εταιρίες Mέλη μας που διαθέτουν την ανωτέρω Άδεια είναι οι ακόλουθες: AVINOIL ΑΒΕΝΕΠ, ΑΙΓΑΙΟΝ ΟΙΛ ΑΕ, CORAL ΑΕ, ΕΚΟ ΑΒΕΕ, ΕΛΙΝΟΙΛ ΑΕ, ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΚΑΥΣΙΜΑ ΑΕΕ, ΕΤΕΚΑ ΑΕ, MAMIDOIL-JETOIL ΑΕ, REVOIL ΑΕ. Ας συμβάλλουμε επομένως όλοι, ο καθένας με τον τρόπο του, για να αποδώσει καρπούς η προσπάθεια που καταβάλλεται τον τελευταίο καιρό από τους εμπλεκόμενους φορείς για την εξυγίανση της αγοράς των πετρελαιοειδών και να δοθεί ένα τέλος στην παράνομη διακίνηση ναυτιλιακών καυσίμων.

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STANDS Liberia celebrates historical milestones at Posidonia 2012

Honorable Commissioner of Bureau of maritime Affairs, Republic of Liberia, Binyah Kesselly & Michalis Pantazopoulos, Senior Vice-President, The Liberian Registry

Posidonia 2012 turned out to be a major success for the Liberian Registry with record-breaking crowds of current and potential clients, visitors, and friends who visited the Registry’s exhibition stand. Despite the global and Greek economic crisis, the Greek shipping sector remains very strong, as proven by the record turn-out of over 1,800 exhibitors from 80 countries and more than 18,000 trade visitors from all aspects of the maritime industry attending this year’s event.

The Liberian Registry had a great deal to celebrate at the 23nd edition of Posidonia. The highlights of the Registry’s exhibit included displays of the registration certificate for the very first Liberian flagged vessel issued on March 11, 1949 to the renowned S.S. WORLD PEACE operated by the Stavros Niarchos’ company, as well as displays to celebrate the Registry’s major achievements during last year 2011 – a year of outstanding growth and progress for the Liberian Registry.

Whilst the Liberian-flag fleet continued its spectacular growth under the management of LISCR, Liberia became in 2011 the main beneficiary as the Liberian Flag Greek controlled fleet hits record deadweight. The Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee (GSCC) has confirmed that Liberia is the leading independent ship register of choice for Greekcontrolled shipping companies, second only to the Greek flag itself.

Figures just released by the GSCC show that, in the year ended 31 March, 2012, Liberia experienced a net increase of 38 Greek-controlled ships aggregating 4.63m dwt – comfortably more than twice the number of

vessels secured by any other ship registry. In deadweight terms, seventeen per cent of Greek-controlled ships are now registered with Liberia, compared to 22 per cent flying the Greek flag. Thus, the long-standing relationship between Liberia and Greece is continually reinforced.

Additionally, in 2011, 546 new vessels, aggregating 22.5m gross tons, joined the fleet. The average age of these vessels - 215 of which were newbuildings - is five years. Net growth across the fleet in 2011 was 285 vessels totaling 13m gross tons. The Liberian fleet currently stands at an all-time high of more than 3,880 vessels aggregating in excess of 129m gross tons, with an average age of twelve years.

Other landmarks in 2011 included Liberia’s admittance to the US Coast Guard’s QUALSHIP (Quality Shipping for the 21st Century) program, to which only a small percentage of foreign-flag ships calling at US ports are admitted, based on the excellence of their port state control record. Liberia also features on the White List of all Port State Control Memorandums of Understanding, worldwide.

Moreover, the latest annual Shipping Industry Flag State Performance Table published by the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Shipping Federation awarded Liberia positive performance indicators in every category covered by the report - port state control, ratification of major international maritime treaties, use of compliant recognized organizations, age of fleet, reporting requirements, and attendance at IMO meetings.

Furthermore, Liberia continues to lead the way in terms of implementation and compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006). Liberia is the first ship registry to offer MLC 2006 certification services. In 2011 it carried out the first ship inspection for compliance with MLC 2006, and completed the first SRPS audit for MLC compliance.

In all, Liberia has trained more than 100 MLC 2006 inspectors and auditors worldwide.

Posidonia is always a great opportunity for members of our Registry to visit with and renew valued relationships with clients and friends at numerous festivities throughout the week. The Registry was honored to have the Commissioner of the Liberian Bureau of Maritime Affairs, Binyah Kesselly, as well as LISCR’s Chief Executive Officer, Scott Bergeron, Vice President, Technical & Communications and much sought and popular Tony Dupree, Assistant Chief Registrar and Associate Counsel, Hara Gisholt, Client Relationship Coordinator, Kelly Houghton, and the Managing Director of the Registry’s Piraeus office, Senior Vice-President, Michalis Pantazopoulos.

In the past five years, the Liberian Registry has grown by over 45m gross tons, twice the rate claimed by its nearest competitor over the same period, and is still growing. The Liberian Registry is not just about numbers. It is about safety and customer service and industry-leading initiatives. Liberia has an enviable record with all leading safety monitoring organizations around the world, and a proven trackrecord of responding immediately to crises wherever necessary. And it has repeatedly shown its willingness and ability to take a proactive approach to helping owners and operators respond to the commercial and regulatory challenges which they face on a regular basis.

Liberia does not believe in standing still. It has demonstrated that it is possible to significantly increase market share while offering the very highest standards of safety and service in a highly competitive industry. And it will continue to do so.

General view of LISCR stand

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STANDS ABB Marine & Turbocharging

Aegean Marine Petroleum SA Aegean Marine Petroleum, listed on the NYSE since 2006, is by far the most steadily growing supply company of its kind, providing petroleum products in Greece and globally for vessel needs. Presently operating a fleet of seventy-one bunkering tankers and six storage tankers, Aegean has two tank farms in Greece to satisfy the demands of the maritime and retail markets, where Aegean has 580 petrol stations, enjoying a 105 market share.

ABB Marine & Turbocharging participated with great success in the international maritime exhibition, Posidonia 2012.

Through its participation, ABB had the chance to promote its brand products and services, create new business opportunities but also to communicate the relocation of the official Turbocharging Service Station in Greece.

The main exhibit was the turbocharger A140-M/H for high/medium speed engines, designed specifically to meet demand for higher compressor pressure ratios with singlestage turbocharging.

ABB Marine & Turbocharging Division provides electromechanical systems and products along with complete technical support, for the marine sector including the shipbuilding industry and Greek shipping companies. It is the only official representative -for Greece and Cyprus- of ABB Turbo Systems Ltd, the world`s leading manufacturer of exhaust-gas turbochargers for diesel engines above 500 kW which are certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 for their environmental and quality performance respectively and, ABB Finland OY manufacturer of the Azipod propulsion system.

In Skaramagkas, the authorized service of ABB has been recently established, ensuring fast and top quality response to its customers under 24h service, certified also with ISO 9001:2000 and OHSAS 18001.

ABB Turbocharging is the world leader in turbocharging diesel and gas engines in the 500 kW plus power range.

More than 200,000 ABB turbochargers are in operation worldwide, on ships, in power plants, on locomotives and in large off-highway vehicles.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people.

With service centers in Greece, Gibraltar, the United Arab Emirates, Jamaica, United Kingdom, Belgium, Ghana, Morocco, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Panama, Hong Kong and Singapore, Aegean is one of a limited number of independent physical suppliers that owns and operates in more than forty locations, with a fleet of bunkering tankers, conducting physical supply operations in multiple jurisdictions.

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STANDS The Union of Greek Shipowners

Visitors and BoD at the UGS stand

The Union of Greek Shipowners maintained its low-key image at Posidonia this year, further enphasising that less is more. The Union is possibly the most powerful of all unions worldwide, not only in terms of money, but more importantly, in terms of influence for the good of the national and international shipping industry.

The UGS stand attracted a great number of visitors, all eager to discuss ways in which synergy could benefit the shipping industry worldwide.

Helmepa

Always unique, as uniqueness surely brings success.

HELMEPA’s immaculate stand was on many occasions the centre of attention. A good job done from all involved ranks and positions, within and with membership, plus the successful contacts with international bodies and organisations.

Greek shipowners visit the Posidonia exhibition A strong delegation of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) led by Chairman Theodore Veniamis visited the 23rd Posidonia Exhibition on the 6th of June, where they met with many decision makers from the global marine community who converged to Athens once again to participate at the world’s biggest shipping trade event.

The UGS members visited major exhibitors across the vast four halls of the 60,000 square-metres Metropolitan Expo and met with representatives from Far Eastern, US and European shipbuilders, marine equipment suppliers and classification societies.

“This is the best and biggest Posidonia ever with more than 1,800 exhibitors from almost 90 countries. The event’s success and global appeal sends a strong message to the Greek and international communities that Greece was, is and will always be the homeport of global shipping, which in turn provides the platform for the most important mode of transport for worldwide trade”, said Veniamis.

Some of the UGS members were escorted by their off-springs, in a symbolic move that signifies the continuation of the long Greek shipping heritage and sends a strong message of the new generations’ commitment to the country’s shipping industry.

“Shipping is the healthiest national economic activity and like Posidonia the thoroughbred achievement of the private and proprietary entrepreneurial business model. This event has grown from strength to strength since its inception more than 40 years ago and it has contributed to the very positive image Greek shipping enjoys all over the world,” said former UGS president Ioannis Lyras who is also the Chairman of the Posidonia Coordinating Committee.

UGS Vice President Michael Chandris also expressed his admiration for Posidonia describing it as a globally renowned institution for the world’s seafaring nations.

54 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

Irene Daifas (right), member of Helmepa at the Helmepa’s stand

HELMEPA is certified to operate as a “Maritime Training Center for Pollution Prevention, Safety at Sea and Environmental Awareness according to the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Standard and coordinates programs like “HELMEPA Junior” for children and “Cadets” for youth.

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STANDS ICS Greek Branch excellent presence

Colum Nolan -Anangel Maritime, Mike Penning -UK Minister of Transport, Natalia Margioli -ICS Greek Branch, Maria Tierris -Athens representative of The Baltic Exchange & Jeremy Pen -Ceo The Baltic Exchange

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Greek Branch and The Baltic Exchange participated at the “Posidonia Exhibition 2012”, at stand 3510, promoting the strong relationship between these two well - established and important shipping organizations who work under the same motto: “Our Word, Our Bond”.

A great number of shipping professionals and executives visited the stand of ICS Greek Branch in order to be informed about the ICS Membership that is a mark of competence for shipping professionals worldwide.

Kylin

Theodore Kasselakis with Wang Weigang, co-director of Kylin Worldwide (Hong Kong) Ltd

As one of the major manufacturers of specialty marine and heavy-duty coatings, Kylin Worldwide (Hong Kong) Ltd offers a world-class portfolio of services. This stand created continuous interest, and given the environmental and safety issues surrounding the shipping industry, visitors were eager to hear about the product’s advantages. Theodore Kasselakis, responsible for the Greek market of KYLIN’s products, was there with members of the Greek and Chinese offices, all ready to offer their best services and give valuable information to their numerous visitors.

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STANDS Erma First Unveiling of the first Greek ballast water treatment system

(l to r) Apostolos Poulovassilis (LR), Konstantinos Stampedakis, Helen Polychronopoulou, Nikos Litinas, John Polychronopoulos, Tom Boardley (LR)

Captain Panagiotis Tsakos paid tribute to Greek technology and know-how through his presence at a simple and inspiring event held at the Erma First stand during the Posidonia exhi-

Erma First Vice Chairman Helen Polychronopoulou, Captain Panagiotis Tsakos, Erma First Chairman John Polychronopoulos, Panagiotis Pikrammenos and Vassilis Papageorgiou

56 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

bition, with the participation of then Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikrammenos and former IMO secretary-general Efthimios Mitropoulos, at the unveiling of the Erma First ballast water treatment system.

“I congratulate the company for the creation of the first Greek ballast water management system. Its example is a boost to the development our country needs during these difficult times we are experiencing”, said the prime minister, while Captain Panagiotis emphasised that “by spending significant amounts on research and development Erma First has managed to create a Greek system. Greek sailors will view the Greek flag adorning the system in ship engine rooms, with great pride.”

After the unveiling, which took place in the presence of Greek government MPs and Hellenic Chamber of Shipping president George Gratsos, Captain Panagiotis demonstrated his support and his confidence in Greek technology and Greek engineers by signing an order for the installation of Erma First BWTS in his newbuild ships.

The Erma First system has already been ordered by Greek and foreign shipowners for installation in ships under construction in shipyards in the Far East and in facilities on existing ships in Greece.

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STANDS Piraeus Port Authority

Kostis Frangoulis - Franman’s Managing Director with guests

Once again, the largest port in Greece, and one of the leading ports in the Mediterranean, had a strong presence at this year’s Posidonia. Piraeus Port Authority’s well designed and strategically located stand exceeded expectations in terms of attendance and response. Piraeus Port, offering a wide range of activities in the service of one of the largest urban areas, has continued to prove its competitiveness and professionalism.

Franman Ltd. Franman Ltd. once again participated at the Posidonia exhibition contributing to its great success. It’s eleventh consecutive participation at the biennial event was supported by the presence of all its major principals in a highly designed professional stand and in all respects, a visitor-friendly environment located at the venue’s Central Maritime Plaza.

The exhibition, that embraced 1.870 exhibiting companies and welcomed over 18.547 visitors from 92 countries, offered Franman the opportunity to Visitors and staff at Franman’s stand

expand existing business connections, create new alliances and set higher goals for further growth.

During the various events surrounding the exhibition, Franman exchanged commemorative plaques and presents with Kyma A.S and Naniwa Pump Mfg Co., Ltd, in celebration of 20 years successful co-operation with the Norwegian and the Japanese maker.

The exhibition also gave the chance to existing and potential clients to discuss the latest in shipbuilding equipment and services with Franman’ s Marine Sales Engineers, Managers and representatives from its principals.

The extensive portfolio of business partnerships with top companies in their field, covering a wide spectrum of services related to shipbuilding equipment, spare parts, service, risk management and consultancy, accounted for the large number of visitors in Franman’s stands.

In today’s difficult times for Greece and shipping alike, we should all rally behind and support great events like Posidonia and companies like Franman that project a positive image of Greece and attract worldwide attention, recognition and respect.

To quote Franman’s 2012 Posidonia motto, “Coming together is a beginning… working together is a progress… staying together is success!”.

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STANDS Cyprus

(l to r) Pambis Vassiliou -Cyprus Ports Authority, Costas Karaloizou Albatross Adjusters Limited, Alex Josephides -Cyprus Shipping Chamber, Eftymios Flourentzou -Minister of Communications and Works, Joseph Joseph -Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens, Alecos Michaelides - Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Works, Chryses Prentzas -President, Cyprus Ports Authority, Savvas Karaviotis -Cyprus Ports Authority

Once more, the presence of the national Cyprus stand at this Posidonia, was really excellent. Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping, the Cyprus Ports Authority, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, ship management companies established in the Island, were present in the biggest internationally shipping exhibition, presenting to a great number of visitors the advantages and services that this sea-nation offers to the maritime community.

Eliza Neophytou Nicolaides, Maritime Marine Officer of the Cypriot Ministry of Communications and Works, Department of Merchant Shipping, was full of praise for Posidonia 2012: “Our participation has been fascinating. I am deeply satisfied with the new exhibition venue which offers an upgraded experience both to visitors and exhibitors but primarily because of the increased mobility around our pavilion”.

Cyprus is one of the largest third-party ship management centers in the world and its registry ranks among the top 10 with a merchant fleet exceeding 22 million gross tonnage.

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New York College

For third consecutive time, New York College participated at Posidonia Exhibition 2012 with its own stand.

During this important event, many visitors had the opportunity to get detailed information about both undergraduate and post graduate maritime programs that New York College offers locally, in collaboration with the University of Greenwich (London-UK).

Particular interest was expressed by graduates of Greek Marine Academies, Universities’ graduates as well as shipping executives.

EVENTS

Hellenic and Black Sea Committee of Bureau Veritas The 15th annual meeting of the Hellenic and Black Sea Committee of Bureau Veritas was held on the 11th of May 2012 under the Chairmanship of George Procopiou and the presence of the Bureau Veritas Management, namely Didier Michaud-Daniel, Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas, Bernard Anne, Executive Vice-President, Managing Director/Marine Division, JeanFrancois Segretain, Vice-President, Deputy Technical Director Marine Division, Franรงois Teissier, Regional Chief Executive for Hellenic & Black Sea Region, Lambros Chahalis, Chief Executive Marine for Greece & Cyprus and Anastasios Angelopoulos, Marine

Didier Michaud-Daniel presented the Bureau Veritas Group Activities for the year 2011, which showed once again a continuation of the strong growth of the Group.

Bernard Anne then presented the Bureau Veritas Marine Activities for the year 2011. He addressed key issues faced by the shipping community for the immediate future (world economy, piracy, CO2 emissions, MLC convention, etc) and presented the main development and actions of Bureau Veritas to support its clients.

Jean-Francois Segretain presented a topic regarding technical issues related to the market. The presentation focused mainly on energy efficiency related issues.

Mr. Segretain presented an overview of the new regulations as well as the suit of comprehensive and innovative services offered by BV in assistance of the shipowner. The presentation was supplemented by additional material by Michael Sterghiou of Inspectorate about the effects of fuel quality and the overall loss of fuel available energy during the fuel purchasing process. Finally the software solutions offered by Tecnitas for practical application of the Ship Energy Efficiency Management (l to r) Captain P. Tsakos, D. Michaud-Daniel, G. Procopiou, B. Anne, V. Restis, F. Teissier, G. Dalakouras, P. Dragnis and Plan were presented by VassilP. Laskaridis ios Dimoulas, C&O operational manager for Piraeus.

At the end, Jean-Bernard Raoust, Chairman of Barry Rogliano Salles presented a review of shipping and shipbuilding market. While 2012 will remain a difficult year, affected by the western economy crisis and the lack of financing, growing opportunities may come from Asia in 2013/2014.

There is light at the end of the tunnel!

Like always, the meeting was finished with the traditional lunch, where there were ample opportunities for everybody to fraternize and enjoy the delicious food proposed by the (l to r) (1st line): K. Therapiotis, A. Angelopoulos, C. Diamantis, M. Lavidas, D. Condylis, G. Mylonas, G. Procopiou, K. Kanellopoulou, Capt. P. Tsakos, B. Anne, N. Moundreas, V. Restis, C. Kokkalas, L.A. Chahalis, J.B. Raoust, G. Dalakouras Grand Resort Lagonissi, Athens, (l to r) (2nd line): G. Petridis, V. Dimoulas, Th. Savvas, M. Sterghiou, N. Balalis, A. Lambros, D. Michaud-Daniel, where the Committee event J.F. Segretain, F. Teissier, G. Perantzakis, A. Kondilis, P. Dragnis, G. Gabriel, St. Zolotas took place.

60 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

EVENTS

First in Class to Hit 200 Million Gross Ton Record ClassNK Marks Historic World Milestone Leading classification society ClassNK officially announced that its register had surged past the 200 million gross ton mark on 28 May 2012. ClassNK Chairman and President Noboru Ueda announced the historic achievement at a party celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the London office, which was attended by many of the leaders of the maritime community, including IMO Secretary General, Koji Sekimizu and IMIF Chairman, Jim Davis CBE. This unprecedented achievement makes ClassNK the world’s first class society in history to have more than 200 million gross tons on its register.

Koji Sekimizu, Dr. A. Rahim N. Ueda, Chairman and President of ClassNK Speaking during the party, ClassNK Chairman and President, Noboru Ueda, recognized the role of the greater maritime register accounts for 7,847 ships totaling 200,804,781 gross tons. As industry, as well expressed his thanks to ClassNK’s clients and partners ClassNK’s register surpassed more than 190 million gross tons at the end around the world, saying: “This achievement highlights the incredible of September 2011, some 10 million gross tons have joined the Tokyogrowth of the world maritime industry over the past decade, as well as based class society’s register in just the past eight months. the undeniable importance of the shipping and shipbuilding industries to According to Mr Ueda, the achievement of the 200 million gross ton the continued growth and development of the global economy, and we milestone represents the accomplishment of one of ClassNK’s main could not have achieved this historic milestone without the deep trust and strategic goals: “In order to better chart our development and better continuing support of the global maritime community”. respond to the needs of a changing maritime industry, ClassNK established Mr Ueda also tied the society’s ongoing success to its increasing inter“Global Approach 200 ”, our first medium-term business plan in 2011, nationalization and growth around the world, noting: “Fifty years ago, with the goal of breaking 200 million gross tons by the end of this year”.

ClassNK opened our very first office outside of Japan here in London, and “We are truly honored to have accomplished this goal within such a short this year we will celebrate the opening of our 100th office outside of Japan. period of time, and this success reflects our tremendous dedication and Our unprecedented achievement of having 200 million gross tons under efforts to meet the evolving needs of the maritime industry, and ensurclass is a testament to our growing presence around the globe, and we will ing safer and greener seas”. strive to provide even better service to our clients and partners around Despite the importance of this achievement, Mr Ueda emphasized that the world in the years to come”.

ClassNK would not rest, adding: “Roughly 20% of the world’s commercial Founded in 1899, the growth of ClassNK’s register has steadily acceltonnage relies on ClassNK and our services, and we are committed to erated over the years. ClassNK broke the 100 million gross ton mark in exceeding the expectations of the maritime industry. We will continue to 1997, before becoming the world’s largest classification society in 1999. dedicate ourselves to serving the industry as a whole, and providing the very Just 10 years later, ClassNK became the first class society to exceed 150 best classification services, technical support and timely advice possible”. million gross tons on its register in 2007. As of 31 May 2012, the ClassNK

Jim Davis, N. Ueda, Koji Sekimizu and Dr. A. Rahim

Dr. A. Rahim, Regional Manager of Europe and Africa (NK London Office), Jim Davis, Chairman of IMIF, Koji Sekimizu, Secretary General of IMO, N. Ueda, Chairman and President of ClassNK SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 61

FORUM

GL Container Ship Forum: Container transportation - trends and challenges Germanischer Lloyd (GL) gathered a group of clients together in Hamburg for a Forum to examine the latest developments in container stowage and transport. The Forum, one of many held by GL on a regular basis around the world, looked at how, in a time where the market is especially tight, added flexibility in container stowage could help to keep operators competitive.

GL was the first classification society to introduce rules for container stowage and lashing, noted Holger Jefferies, GL's Head of Research & Rule Development - recently returned from some 8 years in Shanghai. Those rules have been continually updated since their introduction, most recently in 2012, and are the subject of a yearly examination by a technical committee. Mr Jeffries laid

Holger Jefferies, GL's Head of Research & Rule Development addressing the audience

Throughout the maritime industry there is an increasing recognition that "off the rack", whether in ship design and operation or the management of a fleet, is no longer the only option. Being able to tailor individual vessels and plans to optimise their flexibility is essential to continuing profitability. Through the presentations and discussion at the Forum, GL showed the attendees how with GL they could re-examine standard practices and maximise their ability to respond to the demands of the market.

More than 50 representatives from the container industry met with GL experts at the Container Ship Forum, to hear several presentations and participate in the ensuing discussion session. The speakers were introduced by GL's Hans-G체nther Albers, who introduced the themes for the event and Jan-Olaf Probst, GL's Executive Vice President and Global Ship Type Director, moderated the Forum and led the discussion round.

62 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

out some of the relevant rules, both from GL and international organisations, and looked to the current challenges for the container industry. Over capacity, high fuel prices, and the cascading effect of extremely large vessels entering the market, meant that ensuring maximizing capacity while maintaining loading flexibility, were essential to staying competitive.

Castle, -or blind sector-, stowage is a method of utilizing permitted blind sectors in the navigational field of vision for extra storage. The regulatory picture at an international level was vague and uneven and the ramifications of using the technique in terms of its acceptance from port state control administrations also unclear, said Michael Oberl채nder, from GL's Department of Safety and Stability. A growing trend in Asian markets, the discussion at the Forum was an ideal way to gauge the interest of the attendees in the practice. An interesting exchange occurred with both GL experts and the indus-

FORUM try invitees emphasising the importance of safety in navigation and offering several suggestions for the development of the field of vision, including the more widespread use of cameras.

The presentations at the Forum were designed to link together, emphasising the search for flexibility in stowage while ensuring safety levels based on a sound technical basis. Helge Rathje, from GL's Department of Rule Development, looked at wind loads on stacked containers and how an analysis of these loads might enable more flexible stowage and higher intake levels for operators if the area as well as season will be considered. Mr Rathje set out the conditions for GL's review of its rule loads on 40' unshielded containers and the wind loads based on 30 and 40m/s wind speed acting on 7 and 8 container high stacks at 0 and 18 degrees roll, carried on a 48.2m wide vessel. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis revealed the GL's wind loads corresponded to speeds of 121 km/h, equivalent to 12 on the Beaufort scale. Notably, Mr Rathje demonstrated that the rule loads were realistic, but were for containers on the recessed top tiers somewhat high. This suggested the potential for tailoring stowage plans to the route and wind conditions faced by individual vessels.

In his second presentation Mr Rathje elaborated on the idea of route specific lashing of containers. By examining the wave loads of a typical Asia to Europe route for a megaboxer vessel, Mr Rathje showed how a departure from the rule load for unrestricted service could allow for not only more flexible weight distribution, but the potential addition of a 10th tier. This could result in an additional nominal 182 FEU on 14 bays aft of accommodation or an additional nominal 338 TEU and nominal 13 FEU aft of accommodation, while also resulting in better weight distribution in the container stack itself.

Another option is a better weight distribution in the container stack itself, which could result in a larger number of loadable containers and reduce the number of empty containers.

Both after the presentation and in the discussion period the idea of route specific trade yield and container lashing and storage provoked a great deal of interest and a spirited discussion between the attendees and GL experts. GL is currently considering the development of class notations for route dependent container lashing and storage, with the possibility that in the future lashing

Helge Rathje, from GL's Department of Rule Development, delivering his speech

might also be adapted to reflect route and season. Having a second load plan on board would not prevent operators from reverting to the standard plan if the circumstances so required, but would allow additional flexibility when the opportunity presented.

A spate of container lock failures in 2005 and 2006 led experts at GL to launch an ongoing investigation of the causes of such incidents. The investigation resulted in the development of the first ever guideline for the testing procedure of fully automatic locks (FALs). Daniel Abt from GL's Department of Loading Gear and Outfitting presented the results of GL's analysis, which included the first finite element analysis of the locks' bearing capacity.

GL has also been carrying out tests to validate the results, he said, which had resulted in the new test procedure for FALs - published in the latest edition of the GL Rules. Mr Abt also showed how function testing of FALs took place on a single Drehtainer jig to insure consistency.

To end the presentations, GL's Viktor Wolf, examined the growing use of flexitanks in sea transport. Flexitanks are flexible plastic tanks designed to enable the transport of bulk liquids inside standard 20ft containers. Both the number of flexitank movements and the filling levels of those tanks were increasing, he said. In the absence of permissible filling criteria, there was potential for damage not only to the container enclosing the flexitank but the goods transported alongside. Buckling of the side wall of the enclosing container could result in the collapse of stacked containers, due to the weakening if the container frame. Mr Wolf set out GL's calculations for the maximum permissible loads based on the positioning of the container on board and the length of the vessel. The results indicated that, even in the best case scenarios, filling levels have to be considered carefully.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 63

The design team (l to r) Lucia Settembrini, Monica Foglia, Matteo Civitella, Gigi Danesin

ART FEATURE

Delivering a vision for discerning customers WHEN it comes to Art, we all have our own opinions and tastes. But Monica Foglia and her team at FP Luxury Art have perfected the skill of interpreting other people’s visions and turning them into masterpieces which always impress, whether in public spaces or private sanctuaries.

The best art seamlessly couples idea and execution, form and content. Monica and her artists understand the complexities of the creative process – but make it look simple, with an unfussy, businesslike approach to projects.

FP Luxury Art’s commissions to date have spanned large new-build cruise ships, yachts, international hotels, corporate offices and private residences. But each project receives the firm’s personal touch and attention to detail.

Brought up in the art world, Monica is the starting point for the company’s blend of passion and professionalism. She co-inherited the historic Rinaldo Rotta gallery in Genoa which has been an internationally known outlet for talented artists since 1919.

In FP Luxury Art she has developed a unique link between architects, interior designers and a clientele appreciative of the transforming power of art in virtually any type of space. The firm specializes in creating original and unique art to suit the décor, mood and purpose of each individual space, often interpreting the singular vision of the client and rendering it into a finished work of art.

Bespoke artworks are realized in agreement with clients' needs from the concept through to the final stage. To make this a reality, Monica can call on a wide network of artists and designers, both Italian and international, who are coordinated by the head office in Genoa along with 64 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

agents in London and Dubai.

The firm’s own factory in Tuscany, near the Carrara quarries from which Michelangelo selected the best marble for his masterpieces, is the hub for production of original sculptures. The work is in a long tradition of Italian arts and craftsmanship although gives special attention to the relationship between artworks and the customer’s own cultural heritage, which might be quite different to that of Italy.

The output of the team is extraordinarily flexible. Apart from marble, recent works have also employed bronze, stone, plaster, resin, stainless steel, glass and wood, depending on the impact desired and the specifics of each brief.

FP Luxury Art has worked on a great variety of tailor-made art pieces commissioned by the hospitality and marine industries. It always uses highquality materials and state-of-the-art manufacturing and artistic techniques. In addition to its commitment to deliver the highest quality of craftsmanship and creativity, the firm also takes care of all statutory and logistic requirements and delivers on time and within budget.

It has completed art supply projects for over 20 new-build cruise ships, the latest being Oceania Riviera and MSC Divina both christened in 2012.

The full service package for just one ship, for example, may include marble sculptures in the foyers, exotic paintings and lanterns in the themed restaurants,Shangri-La murals and statues in the spa, giant shells and mermaid statues at the swimming pool, framed prints for the staterooms, chandeliers and inlaid marble table tops.

FP Luxury Art has also undertaken the refurbishment of many older vessels and takes pride

in achieving a fresh look for classic designs. The experienced technical team provides solutions at competitive prices and undertakes on-site installation worldwide with dedicated after-sales maintenance.

Thanks to its expertise and fast-expanding reputation, FP Luxury Art has recently increased its presence in the luxury hospitality industry, and has added hotels in Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, New York, London and Dubai to its project portfolio. Banks and other corporate headquarters are increasingly calling on the team’s skills.

According to Monica, they particularly relish working for exclusive private residences and the firm already has a significant number of private clients worldwide.

The latest creation, The Falcon, a gold bronze hand carved sculpture encrusted with 15,000 Swarovski diamonds, was the inspiration of Monica who, during a recent trip to the United Arab Emirates, decided to pay tribute to this majestic bird which is the UAE national emblem.

FP Luxury Art’s repertoire is almost limitless, including– in addition to sculptures - paintings on various surface materials, prints, decorative panels, Trompe l’oeil works, chandeliers and decorative vases, copies of ancient artifacts, mosaics, frames and covering materials.

Although the company has been engaged on some highly ambitious and prestigious projects, an impressive statement doesn’t always come with a high price tag. There is no project too large or too small for Monica and her team who are highly skilled in manipulating materials and conferring small personal touches which make a difference and satisfy the most discerning eye.

FEATURE

Fortunately, there are still philhellenes Günter Grass’s poem In this issue we publish a poem by German writer Günter Grass about our country and the crisis, titled “Europe’s Shame”.

Using the form of an ancient Greek ode, the Nobel laureate addresses Europe and warns that it is in danger of spiritual poverty if it excludes the country that created it from its embrace. With references to Goethe’s Iphigenia in Tauris, the myth of Antigone, and the work of German lyric poet and philhellene Hölderlin, Grass traverses Greek history from antiquity to the colonels’ dictatorship. He concludes with the threat that “the greed of banks, committees and their lackeys” will provoke the wrath of the gods themselves. Without Greece, Europe will be the poorer, a worn-out continent devoid of spirit.

“Europe’s Shame” Close to chaos, because you did not satisfy the markets, you are far from the country that was your cradle.

All that you sought with the soul and thought that you had found is now considered to be as worthless as scrap metal.

A country is suffering like a debtor naked on a pillory, and you, instead of thanks for what you owe, offer empty words.

Condemned to poverty is this country, the wealth of which adorns museums: the loot that you guard.

Those who with the might of arms attacked this country blessed with islands, carried Hölderlin in their soldier’s knapsacks.

Barely tolerated country whose colonels were once tolerated by you as allies.

Land without rights, whose belt is being tightened more and more by the arrogant powerful.

Antigone defies you, wearing black, and across the land where you were guests, the people wear mourning.

However, outside the country, the followers of Croesus and those like him have hoarded all that glitters golden in your vaults.

Drink, finally, drink! cry the committee lackeys, but furious Socrates returns the cup full to the brim.

As a chorus will they curse you, the gods whom your will seeks to dispossess of their Olympus.

You will wither mindlessly without the land whose mind conceived you, Europe.

66 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

REPORTAGE

Greece Debt Free: Shipping once again one step ahead Shipowner Peter Nomikos, initiator and founder of GDF

Peter Nomikos

Evangelos Marinakis

The age when Greek shipowners would open their treasure chests and provide gold to support the struggle for freedom may seem remote. However, Peter Nomikos, scion of a famous Santorini shipping family, is opening a new coffer, Greece Debt Free (GDF), creating a move-

ment that will unite Greeks around the world in a joint effort aimed at eliminating the Greek debt.

The aim of GDF is the repurchase of Greek bonds from the markets at a price below their face value, and the subsequent cancellation of these bonds.

The endeavour began in mid-June and 2.2 million euro was collected in no time.

“We are about 16 million Greeks around the world – to take Greek debt to sustainable levels is a goal worth pursuing. In any case, this will not be the first occasion that Greeks will be helping the nation in difficult times. The GDF is not buying bonds from the Greek state, but from third parties on the international markets. In June 2012, we acquired bonds of 125 euro for each 1,000 euro owed by the state to bondholders. As such, Greece still owes 1,000 euro to GDF, although it spent only 125 euro to buy these bonds. However, GDF will have these bonds cancelled, freeing the Greek state from this obligation. It will thus have helped reduce the Greek debt by eight euro for every one euro donation. The biggest problem for Greece and the Greeks is the debt, which concerns and touches every citizen regardless of political persuasion”, said Peter Nomikos.

Among the first who bought bonds for GDF was Capital chairman Evangelos Marinakis, who bought 1.4 million euro of debt by donating 168,590 euro to GDF. “I wanted to set an example with this action so that we all mobilize to assist our country during the difficult times we are experiencing. We Greeks are patriots and it is time to show that together we can succeed. Greece can and must go forward”, says Mr Marinakis.

Mr Nomikos’s initiative is already eliciting a response, not only from the shipping world but also from other business sectors. GDF is being promoted by many websites and media, has no employees, is fully transparent and operates in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, USA. It relies on volunteers and is subject to laws which exclude it from political influence.

At present, each Greek owes about 24,800 euro in national debt, but this is being bought and sold on the international market for about 3,000 euro. Citizens can find more information and participate in the effort by visiting the website www.greecedebtfree.org.

GDF is already very close to collaborating with mobile phone operators in order to enable every Greek to send an SMS to the value of one euro towards buying the Greek debt. Just imagine how easy and how effective something like this will be.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 67

REPORTAGE

Friends of Liberty Association ready for action The Friends of Liberty Association, which is to undertake maintenance and operation of the Greek merchant marine’s historic ship-museum, the Hellas Liberty, currently moored at PPA’s Akti Vasileiadi, is ready to take action.

Spyros Polemis talked about the history of the Liberty ship and the Hellas Liberty in his speech during an event held on board the vessel by Safe Ship Investment Fund, as part of Posidonia.

It was Mr Polemis who actually set the whole story in motion – he researched, planned and organised the endeavour to locate a Liberty ship with the aim of bringing it to Greece.

“However, this plan would never have become reality if the unforgettable Vassilis Konstantakopoulos had not funded the difficult and complex exercise of towing the ship to Greece”, said Mr Polemis.

The speaker reminded those present that during World War II, the Greek merchant marine suffered significantly. The Greek merchant fleet numbered about 600 ships at the start of the war, of which 315 – or more than half – were lost along with 2,500 sailors.

“After the war there was thus a tremendous need to renew the fleet, in order to revitalise Greek shipping, which is such an important industry for Greece, and which would also create thousands of positions, something which was a critical matter after the very dark days of the occupation and the many hardships suffered by the people”, said Mr Polemis.

The United States decided to assist and offered 100 Liberty ships for Greek shipowners to buy. These ships were built during World War II between 1941 and 1945.

Eighteen American shipyards constructed 2,710 Liberty-type ships. On average, each ship required 42 days to construct. It has been estimated that three Liberty ships were built every day. Cargo ships of the Liberty type were classed as emergency ships. Their original name was EC2-S-C1, with EC standing for Emergency Cargo ship. Time magazine, however, considered the name an “ugly duckling”.

The ships had very low manufacturing costs, and their appearance was not particularly appealing to the public.

Announcing the ship building agenda as an emergency program, President Franklin Roosevelt dubbed 27 September 1941, the day the program was launched, Liberty Day. When he launched the first of these ships, the SS Patrick Henry, President Roosevelt declared “Give me liberty or give me death” and added that ships of this type would bring freedom to Europe. Prompted by these declarations, the name Liberty was adopted.

Mr Polemis referred to his efforts to locate a Liberty ship and to organise an entire enterprise together with American politicians of Greek descent Leonidas Raptakis, Dimitrios Giannaros and others, to facilitate the passage through Congress of a special law that would allow the American state to donate a Liberty ship bearing the name Arthur M. Huddell, to Greece.

On 28July 2008, this ship was delivered to our country.

“On that day I flew to the United States and the next morning, a very warm summer day, I put on my overalls and boarded the vessel for the first time”, said Mr Polemis with feeling, and then went on to report on the ship’s condition at the time, from a technical perspective.

Major efforts to make the ship ready in collaboration with the US classification society ABS, and to prepare it for towing to our country, were then undertaken. The Hellas Liberty departed Norfolk, Virginia, USA on 6 December 2008, St Nicholas’s Day, and arrived in Piraeus on 11 January 2009.

Young people encouraged to learn “The effort to showcase the history of the ship, should be supported by all and young people should be encouraged to come and visit the ship and to learn its history, and especially the history of the Greek merchant marine”, stressed Anna Polemis, president of Safe Ship Investment Fund, for her part, and added, “The Safe Ship Investment Fund, with its deep roots in shipping dating from last century, believes in shipping and will support this effort.”

The event also hosted an exhibition by Ms Brigitte Polemis of artworks using Perspex screens, with subjects inspired by the Hellas Liberty.

REPORTAGE

Hellas Liberty Sponsors

The management and operation of the ship-museum was assigned by legislation entitled “Regulation of management issues concerning floating museums or exhibits donated to the Greek state”, which was set forth in parliament.

Main sponsor: Vassilis Konstantakopoulos Sponsors: • Spyros Μ. Polemis • Adamantios and Spyros Polemis • ABS Europe Limited • Nikolaos Pappadakis • Kostis Konstantakopoulos • Panos Laskaridis • Lou Kollakis • Ioannis Koustas • Nicholas Tsakos • Angeliki Frangou • Spyros Karnessis • Nikos Efthimiou • Dimitris Prokopiou • George Mouskas • Det Norske Veritas • John Xylas • Tsavliris Salvage

Turkish provocation in the Aegean Strong

reactions were provoked by the response of the Turkish Minister for European Affairs, Mr Bagis, to a question from New Democracy MEP, Georgios Koumoutsakos, during the meeting of the EU - Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, as to why Turkey will not accept the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, despite the fact that it forms part of the European acquis, as all member states, the EU itself and all candidate countries except Turkey, are contracting parties of Georgios Koumoutsakos the convention.

Mr Bagis confessed publicly that Ankara is not signing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,

because of the problems that exist with Greece in the Aegean islands. He added that neither does it intend to do so until Turkey joins the European Union.

“The reply by Mr Bagis is, as far as I know, the first public admission of this kind by a Turkish official. Above all, it shows that a candidate country accepts international law, international conventions and the European acquis only when they serve its interests and aspirations. This raises an issue that is serious in many ways, with regard to Turkey’s relations with both Greece and the EU”, said Mr Koumoutsakos after the meeting.

Universal Maritime sets course for… Oslo Universal Maritime’s entry into the stock exchange, with the aim of raising 200 million dollars, is being supported by Turkish group Geden Lines.

Universal Maritime will control a fleet of ten tankers after its separation from Geden Lines.

Eight of the ten tankers have charter contracts with Shell, which has

equity interest in the ships. The other two are chartered to Glencore.

The shipping community is following the whole process with particular interest, due to the generally adverse environment prevailing in shipping finance.

Based in Istanbul, Geden Lines controls a fleet of 41 ships, of which 26 are tankers and 15 dry bulk carriers.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 69

REPORT

WISTA Cyprus hosted the 4th WISTA MED Conference Only days away from the beginning of the Cypriot EU Presidency, WISTA Cyprus hosted the 4th WISTA MED Conference in Limassol from 22nd to 23rd June.

The WISTA MED 2012 welcomed delegates from Cyprus, Greece, France, Italy, Turkey, Spain and the Netherlands. Female professionals in leading positions from all over the Mediterranean and beyond gathered to celebrate WISTA but also to network and create new business opportunities and relationships.

The two-day event kicked off on Friday afternoon with a Cocktail and Dinner at Le Meridien Limassol Spa and Resort where all overseas guests had the opportunity to meet the local WISTA members. It is noted that WISTA Cyprus is one of the youngest National WISTA Associations and this was the first Regional event organized by Cyprus.

On Saturday morning (23rd June) WISTA Cyprus hosted a conference with the theme “Why Cyprus? An optimal business base”. Despite the financial problems that Cyprus is currently facing, the island is still an ideal place for shipping and trading related companies and the speakers gave excellent presentations encouraging all foreign delegates to consider Cyprus for their operations. Speakers came from a wide range of sectors within the maritime cluster and they were as follows: • Capt. Eugen-Henning Adami – President of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber • Solon Kassinis – Director Energy Service, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism • Athena Chrysostomou – Maritime Affairs Officer, Department of Merchant Shipping Cyprus • Evgenios C. Evgeniou – CEO, PwC Cyprus • Capt. Eberhard Koch, Chairman and CEO, Oesterreichischer Lloyd Seereederei (Cyprus) Ltd • Karin Orsel – President, WISTA International

WISTA Cyprus Executive Committee (l to r) Jane Melas, Martina Meinders, Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, Sonia Ajini, Victoria Kostic Nola

• Beatrice Witvoet – President, WISTA France • Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou – President WISTA Cyprus The audience actively participated in discussions, making the conference interactive and beneficial to all attendees. It was also announced during the conference that WISTA Cyprus would bid for the organization of the WISTA Int’l AGM and Conference 2014. Members and guests welcomed this announcement with a cordial applause. The decision of who will be the hosting country will be taken during this year’s WISTA Int’l AGM and Conference, which will be held in Paris from 3-5 October.

Speakers and WISTA Cyprus Executive Committee: (l to r) Victoria Kostic Nola - ExCo Member of WISTA CYPRUS and General Manager at Aker Global Employment Ltd, Eberhard Koch - Chairman and CEO, Oesterreichischer Lloyd Seereederei (Cyprus) Ltd, Jane Melas - ExCo Member of WISTA Cyprus and Director at EDT Offshore, Eugen Adami - President of Cyprus Shipping Chamber and Owner of Mastermind Shipmanagement Ltd, Karin Orsel - President WISTA International & CEO Management Facilities Group, Athena Chrysostomou - Maritime Affairs Officer, Department of Merchant Shipping, Solon Kassinis Director Energy Service, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Martina Meinders - Secretary General WISTA Cyprus and Managing Director at Marin Shipmanagement Ltd, Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, President WISTA Cyprus and Chief Financial and Operating Officer at Tototheo Group, Beatrice Witvoet President WISTA France and Partner at LBEW Sonia Ajini - Vice President WISTA Cyprus and Lawyer at LG Zambartas LLC, Evgenios Evgeniou - CEO at PwC Cyprus

70 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

REPORT

The audience was made out of not only WISTA members but also Ambassadors, representatives of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and other associations as well as representatives from many shipping companies based in Cyprus. There was also interest expressed by Cypriot banks, which are in the process of forming new shipping departments.

The conference ended with lunch and the rest of the day was dedicated to WISTA members who were taken on a small tour, so they could be introduced to the beauties of rural Cyprus and

later on WISTA Cyprus hosted a Farewell Dinner as a thank you gesture to its Members and Friends.

It is worth noting that there was a delegation from WISTA Turkey attending the two-day event and it was mutually decided by both WISTA Cyprus and WISTA Turkey that the two Associations, together with the help of WISTA Greece, would try to find ways to co operate in a non-political manner as to the benefit of Shipping but also to enhance business relationships between the two countries.

Passenger Ship Safety recommendations agreed at IMO Recommended interim measures aimed at enhancing the safety of passenger ships, in the wake of the Costa Concordia incident in January, were agreed by the same session of the IMO's MSC. Specifically the MSC adopted a resolution, which invites Member States to recommend that passenger ship companies conduct a review of operational safety measures, to ships flying their flag, on a voluntary basis and “with all possible urgency and efficiency”, taking into consideration the recommended interim operational measures listed in an MSC circular.

The recommended interim measures include: • carrying additional lifejackets, to be readily accessible in public spaces, at the muster/assembly stations, on deck or in lifeboats, so that in the event of an emergency passengers need not return to their cabins to retrieve the lifejacket stored there;

• reviewing the adequacy of the dissemination and communication of the emergency instructions on board ships; • carrying out the muster for embarking passengers prior to departure from every port of embarkation, if the duration is 24 hours or more; • limiting access to the bridge to those with operational or operationally related functions, during any period of restricted manoeuvring, or while manoeuvring in conditions that the master or company bridge procedures/policy deems to require increased vigilance (e.g. arrival/departure from port, heavy traffic, poor visibility); and • ensuring that the ship's voyage plan has taken into account IMO’s Guidelines for voyage planning, and, if appropriate, Guidelines on voyage planning for passenger ships operating in remote areas.

The resolution encourages “Member States and the passenger ship industry to take the necessary actions to ensure that their current safety standards, procedures and best management practices are fully and effectively implemented”.

The MSC also approved, for adoption at MSC 91, new draft SOLAS requirements (new regulation III/17-1) to require ships to have plans and procedures to recover persons from the water, as well as related Guidelines for development of plans and procedures for recovery of persons from the water.

The MSC also approved a draft MSC resolution on Implementation of SOLAS regulation III/17-1 to ships other than those engaged in international voyages.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 71

REPORT

European Maritime Day 2012 As associate in the Horizon 2020 Capacity Building/Mediterranean Environment Program (H2020CB/ MEP), HELMEPA was invited to participate in the events of European Maritime Day 2012 which took place in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden on 21st and 22nd May. This year’s Conference was themed “Sustainable growth from the oceans, seas and coasts: blue growth” and attracted stakeholders from across the continent. Plenary sessions held covered a comprehensive set of issues pertinent to the continued development of sustainability in the maritime and transport industries, solutions for renewable energy and growth by innovation and working towards reducing the impacts of marine litter on the natural and physical environments, the economy and society as a whole.

As an extension of the latter, and on the occasion of European Maritime Day, the H2020CB/MEP task force leaders hosted a 3-day training course themed: “Minimizing Marine Litter in the Mediterranean”. The Horizon 2020 Initiative has as its primary target the de-pollution of the Mediterranean by the year 2020 – as its name suggests. The Capacity Building Program has been appointed the specific mission within the framework of the Project to not only facilitate but augment the capabilities of Mediterranean countries to effectively and

72 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

successfully address pollution concerns at both an institutional and societal level.

The range of presentations covered the environmental and socio-economic challenges originating from the impacts of marine litter on coasts, current policies and initiatives in place under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive of the European Commission, the role of Integrated Solid Waste Management and the raising of awareness among the Mediterranean community.

Speakers included highly reputable academics including the team leader of the H2020CB/MEP and Chairman of the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIOECSDE) and experts in marine pollution, who shared current developments from research projects conducted across the Mediterranean. The Co-chair of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre at the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) shared current marine litter monitoring methodologies employed together with potential for future research expansion in the field.

A HELMEPA representative spoke to the group about the initiatives undertaken in Greece by the Association in the raising of environmental consciousness throughout both the shipping industry and the wider community. Results of the Association’s research work carried out in the Med for the monitoring and recording of marine litter was also presented as were the steps taken - including national and Mediterranean-wide awareness campaigns – in partnership with MIOECSDE and the United Nations Environment Program Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP).

It was indeed a highly productive meeting during which the opportunity for the facilitation of the exchange of knowledge, experiences and cultural perspectives was taken advantage of to the highest potential. HELMEPA looks forward to the next convening of the H2020CB/MEP, contributing to its progress as momentum builds and re-examining the status of solid waste pollution in the marine environment with its Mediterranean neighbors in the future.

GREEK ROUNDUP

NEWS DIGEST

Relocation of ABB Turbocharging Service Station in Greece ABB the leading power and automation technology group, recently announced the relocation of its Service Station in Greece to a new and better equipped building in the area of Skaramagkas.

The new Service Station is fully outfitted with the most contemporary machinery and specialized tools that can meet customers needs for technical support and continues to provide a package of products and services relating turbochargers for shipping companies and shipbuilders with the same high quality standards.

• Worldwide service round the clock • High service and spare parts availability • Original spare parts for reliable operation • Service work carried out by specially trained experts • Reliable and certified service station in the vicinity • Support and advice from our service engineers • Professional consulting services available from headquarters • Reliable and certified service station with ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001:2007 and in final process for 14001

More than 100 certified ABB turbocharger service stations in more than 55 countries around the world guarantee that well trained service and support staff are always close to the customers.

ABB turbocharger service stations are linked via the company‘s own on-line computer network to headquarters in Baden.

Fast, direct access to the case history of every turbocharger in operation ensures optimized, pro-active support. Required spare parts can be immediately identified, ordered and dispatched by the fastest means.

The turbocharger service organization is on call 24 hours a day.

ABB Turbocharging is the world leader in turbocharging diesel and gas engines in the 500 kW plus power range.

Some 190,000 ABB turbochargers are in operation worldwide, on ships, in power plants, on locomotives and in large off-highway vehicles.

ABB’s new address is 13th km Athens - Korinth National Road, 124 62, Skaramagkas.

Vocational Training Institute “IEK XINI” of Piraeus awards WISTA Hellas!

The vocational training Institute “IEK XINI” based in Piraeus and offering many areas of vocational study, including shipping, aimed at ensuring future employment for their students, within the framework of its 2012 end of studies exhibition at the Peace and Friendship Stadium Olympico Café, on Wednesday June 13th, honoured WISTA Hellas with an award of recognition for its activities in shipping and trade contributing in particular to the local community of Piraeus.

WISTA Hellas was among other honoured guests recognized for their contributions such as the known Journalist Stamatis Mallelis and Piraeus Historian Ioannis Chatzimanolakis. Ιt is worth noting that General Secretary of WISTA Hellas, Ms Eleftheria Magiafi, Naval Architect/MBA, holding, inter alia, the position of Associate Professor at the IEK XINI, was surely the one whose valuable dedication for many years in promoting WISTA Hellas and its goals resulted in WISTA Hellas being acknowledged and awarded by the IEK XINI! We are certainly all thankful to her devotion to the Association!

Rea Metropoulou, supported by other past and present BoD members were there to accept the award on behalf of the Association and were especially honoured to be included within the special list of individuals. The Board and the membership at large of WISTA Hellas place education as top

Eleftheria Magiafi, Dorothea Ioannou, Rea Metropoulou, Anna-Maria Monogioudi

priority within their promotional activities and, in this context, organize seminars and conferences aimed at continuing education to empower not only young professionals but to strengthen the skills of the experienced.

The Board is currently hard at work organizing the next such event, information on which will be forthcoming during the summer months.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 73

GREEK ROUNDUP

NEWS DIGEST

Tsakos receives business ethics awards for third consecutive year Tsakos Shipping & Trading SA has received a gold award for the third year running for its strong commitment to the principles of business ethics, at the 2012 Business Ethics Excellence Awards organised by the Greek chapter of the European Business Ethics Network (EBEN).

Professor Nancy Papalexandris from the Athens University of Economics and Business presents the award to Tsakos legal counsel Thomas Zafiras. Right, president of the Greek Institute of Business Ethics, Anthony Gortzis

This award is the culmination of the company’s excellent performance in terms of general sensitivity towards and contribution to vulnerable social groups in our soci-

ety, and more. The company was evaluated by certified assessors from the Greek Institute of Business Ethics – EBEN GR. It is worth noting that this distinction is the third consecutive annual award received by the Tsakos Group from this specific organisation over the last three years. The earlier awards were for the Group’s notable performance in the area of internal auditing, and for its applied and coordinated environmental protection strategy.

The award was accepted by the company’s legal counsel, Thomas Zafiras, on behalf of Tsakos Shipping & Trading SA, at a special ceremony where it was presented by Professor Nancy Papalexandris from the Athens University of Economics and Business.

The ceremony was addressed by EBEN GR president Anthony Gortzis, Haridimos Tsoukas, professor at the University of Warwick’s Business School, Prof. Nancy Papalexandris, John Filos, assistant professor at Panteion University, president of the Exporters’ Association of Northern Greece, Dimitrios Lakassas, and Entrepreneurship Club president Stelios Stavridis. Also in attendance were the EBEN GR Board of Directors and the organisation’s Business Ethics Model development team, academic members of the review committee and company executives.

It is worth noting that Greece is the first country in Europe to implement the Business Ethics Model and the first to present awards to companies.

Delivery of Blue Star Patmos Attica Group announced the delivery on June, 12, of the new-built Ro-Pax vessel Blue Star Patmos, which was built at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd, of Korea. Greek-flagged Blue Star Patmos, an investment of more than Euro 70 million, is the second of two vessels ordered in June 2009 and has overall length 145.50 meters, a speed of 26 knots and the capacity to carry 2,000 passengers and 427 private vehicles or 60 freight units and 145 private vehicles.

“In the current challenging times of our country, Attica’s scope to provide first class sea transportation services with modern, new 74 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

and fast ships for the benefit of tourism and the islands’ inhabitants and visitors, is further enhanced with the addition to our fleet of Blue Star Patmos today. The Blue Star Patmos deployment is subject to the permission of the Greek regulatory authorities”, mentioned the company’s announcement.

GREEK ROUNDUP

NEWS DIGEST

Attica Group

Corporate Social Responsibility Program “Sun Protection”

“Befriend the Sun” at Ios and Santorini Attica Group implemented for a forth year and with ultimate success the “Sun Protection” program at the islands of Ios and Santorini.

Blue Star Ferries, a member of Attica Group, in collaboration with the Organization for the Prevention and Treatment of Melanoma “Melampous”, conducted during June 2012 free medical examinations for skin nevi (moles) as well as awareness speeches aiming at informing local communities about the prevention and also the risk from prolonged exposure to the sun.

The assistance of various local bodies (Municipalities, Healthcare Centers etc.), which embraced and supported this initiative, was vital for the implementation of the program. Surprisingly high attendance numbers also confirmed the existing need for medical examinations and information at the islands.

At the island of Ios a total number of 275 people were examined whereas in Santorini approximately 432 people received free medical tests and even more were informed about the appropriate sun-protection measures that lead to efficient exposure and eradicate the risk of health hazards.

In addition, Blue Star Ferries distributed to the local residents educational leaflets regarding sun protection and the advisable ways of skin nevi self-examination. The leaflets are also distributed by the central and port agencies of the Group as well as onboard domestic-route vessels of Attica Group throughout the year.

For the first time this year the information seminars regarding sun protection as well as the free medical examinations begun at sea. Throughout the journey to Santorini, the crew of Blue Star Delos had the opportunity of attending the speech conducted by the President of “Melampous”, received preventative examina-

tions as well as learned how to provide first aid to passengers in case of sunstroke.

From 2008, the “Sun Protection” program has travelled to a total number of 12 islands of the Aegean including: Amorgos, Tilos, Nissyros, Astypalaia, Donoussa, Schinoussa, Koufonissi, Iraklia, Patmos, Leros, Ios and Santorini. It is worth mentioning that the particular initiative has been awarded with the “2010 ERMIS Silver Award” in the field of PR for the category “Society & Business”, which is organized every year by the Union of Corporate Advertisers of Greece (EDEE).

“Sun Protection” is a part of Attica Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program, entitled “With you as our destination” which is addressed to the islands served by the Group’s fleet through its ship owing companies Blue Star Ferries & Superfast Ferries.

New Council for London Committee Following the Elections of the 21st June 2012, the New Council of the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee for the period June 2012-June 2014, is as follows: Ηaralampos J. Fafalios, Chairman, Con/nos Is. Caroussis, A’ Vice-Chairman, John M. Lyras, B’ Vice-Chairman, Dimitris C. Dragazis, C’ Vice-Chairman.

Members of the Council John A. Angelicoussis, Nikolas A. Comninos- Xylas, George E. Embiricos, John M. Hadjipateras, Alexandros K. Kedros, Stathes J. Kulukundis, Diamantis J. Lemos, Filippos P.N. Lemos, Maria P. Lemos, Matheos T. Los, Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, George K. Mouskas, Anthony P. Palios, Michalis G. Pateras, Spyros M. Polemis and Andreas A. Tsavliris.

Ηaralampos J. Fafalios SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 75

WORLD ROUNDUP

NEWS DIGEST

Cyprus Shipping Chamber welcomes the approval of the Cyprus Ships “Anti-Piracy� Bill On 31 May 2012, the House of Representatives approved the relevant Bill to combat Piracy on Cyprus ships. With the approval of this pioneering Bill, an innovative and detailed legislative framework is established for lawfully using armed escorts by specially trained and certified guards.

The Chamber, as the official representative of the Cyprus Shipping Industry, cooperated very closely with the Cyprus Maritime Administration and especially with the Department of Merchant Shipping, during the preparatory stages of this important Bill, the approval of

which renders Cyprus as the first country in the European Union, and possibly internationally, which regulates in such detail this burning issue for International Shipping.

The Cyprus Shipping Chamber believes that, this pioneering Bill can further enhance the maritime infrastructure of Cyprus and its image held today as a reliable and constantly developing Maritime Centre, as well as form the basis as a reference tool, for the preparation of a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework, both at European and international level, towards the resolution of the serious problem of Piracy.

KPI Bridge Oil and BLT reach settlement agreement

PT Berlian Laju Tankers Tbk (BLT) and KPI Bridge Oil recently announced that a settlement has been reached between them on terms that resolve all matters associated with the arrest of MV Partawati in Richmond, California and facilitates a new business relationship between them which is focused on the anticipated growth in the industry in the years to come.

While the terms of the agreement are confidential both parties are pleased that the legal proceedings can be put behind them and BLT and KPI Bridge Oil can now focus on developing an important business relationship for the years to come.

Widihardja Tanudjaja, President Director of BLT said: "many shipping companies are experiencing difficulties and BLT has been no exception to this, but we remain confident about the future of BLT. Its new, strong management team is very pleased that an agreement with a key industry player like KPI Bridge Oil has been reached. This is another positive step in the 76 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

group's restructuring which continues to move ahead at a quick pace.

KPI showed that it was prepared to take a prompt and realistic assessment of the situation and take a quick decision that was not only in its own favour but was also the right thing for BLT here and now. We are obviously grateful for this.

Jan Obel, CEO of KPI Bridge Oil added: "KPI Bridge Oil's intentions are always, including during tough times, to find commercial solutions together with our clients. We are pleased that a compromise concerning the MV Partawati has been reached as a first step in resolving our total outstanding with BL T and the groundwork laid to enable KPI Bridge Oil to continue to support and supply marine fuels and lubricants to BL T vessels as they restructure and grow their business.

I am pleased that we can move forward with our relationship with the BL T Chembulk Group and I am looking forward to a very positive and open partnership with BLT and their management team in the future."

WORLD ROUNDUP

NEWS DIGEST

France sentences Somali pirates to 24 years Somali pirates who were found guilty of hijacking the French vessel Le Ponant in 2008, have been sentenced to a total of 24 years imprisonment by a Paris court.

Of the six Somali pirates, who were captured by French forces in a daring raid on land, with a 4x4 vehicle, arms and a part of the ransom, two were acquitted. One was sentenced to serve four years but this was negated by his detention on remand since April, 2008. All three had protested their innocence.

Two others were sentenced to seven years imprisonment and the remaining pirate, who admitted participating in the whole operation, was told he must serve ten years. It is, as yet, unclear whether the jail terms will be served in France or using the facilities of cooperating jurisdictions in the East African Region.

Commenting on the judgements, Alastair Evitt, Chairman of the shipping industry anti-piracy group SOS SaveOurSeafarers says; “This is encouraging news. There are about 3,500 criminals active in these pirate gangs. All too often, when they are captured by security forces, confusion over admissible evidence or legal and international diplomatic complexities mean that they are set free to offend again. We applaud these convictions.

The international community must demonstrate its resolve to stamp out his serious threat to seafarers and world trade. That means more and better evidence gathering, more effective policing and jurisprudence in the region, and building more prisons to cope with increasing number of arrests and convictions. Criminals, especially persistent, unscrupulous and violent ones, with a willingness to abuse and, in some cases, murder their victims, should be behind bars.”

Somali piracy costs billions of pounds a year and causes hostage seafarers untold suffering. 225 hostages are being held in appalling conditions right now.

About SOS SaveOurSeafarers

SOS SaveOurSeafarers is the biggest ever grouping of the international maritime industry with 31 international organisations joined together to raise awareness of the human and economic cost of piracy via the media and by using approaches to politicians and industrial leaders at the highest level.

It started operation in March 2011. Since then, there have been over 123,000 visits to its website from 195 countries and over 32,250 letters sent to governments worldwide.

Its main aims are to raise the profile of Somali piracy in political and media circles, in order to see Somali piracy deterred, defeated and eradicated, and to stop seafarers being tortured and murdered.

Wärtsilä supports youth sail training association STAF Wärtsilä has made a 10 year anchor partner agreement with the Sail Training Association Finland (STAF), a non-profit charity organisation founded to organise sail training voyages, especially for the young.

Sail Training Association Finland, one of the founding members of the international parent organisation Sail Training International, supports young people with special needs, aiming at teaching them the importance of taking responsibility, independency and skills for working in groups. The activities of the association are based on volunteer work with over 200 seafaring professionals and sailing enthusiasts working as members of the permanent crew of sail training vessels. Since 1983, STAF

has arranged sail training voyages for young people on a regular basis. Their flagship Schooner Helena was launched in 1992. By 2011, over 19 250 trainees had taken part on a sail training voyage and the sail training vessels had crossed the Atlantic Ocean 57 times. This summer the association will organise their first sailings for persons with visual disability as well as sail training voyages together with the union for deaf people in Finland. The cooperation with companies such as Wärtsilä and governmental institutions is crucial for the existence of the association, enabling it to continue its valuable work especially for youth with special needs. Sail Training Association Finland was established in 1973.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 77

CLASS SOCIETIES

Lloyd’s Register introduces guidance for the treatment of exhaust gases Guide provides owners and operators with technical information they need to find cost-effective solutions Lloyd’s Register’s has published a new guide, Understanding Exhaust Gas Treatment Systems, to give shipowners and operators an overview of the related technology and emerging regulations they need to make sound business decisions.

The technical teams at Lloyd’s Register worked closely with industry and used project experience to develop the guidance.

Exhaust gas treatment systems (EGTS), or scrubbers as they are known, are one of a number of options available to meet ever stricter emissions regulations. EGTS will not be suitable for all ship types or operators, and the age of assets also will be a factor in making commercial decisions.

“The implications of emissions compliance will vary from owner to owner; for example, the needs of a Baltic ferry operator are likely to be very different to those of a bulk carrier owner whose ships trade globally,” said Katharine Palmer, Lloyd’s Register’s Environmental Manager. “For us, it’s not a question of being for or against these treatment systems. It’s all about building understanding of how scrubbers work, when they may be suitable, and providing operators with the information and confidence they need to make investment decisions.”

With new technologies emerging, providing the right support throughout the decision-making and design process is critical, says Palmer, who adds that the guide provides a clear picture of the technical realities involved in installing and operating EGTS, using

case studies and real-world examples.

The challenge of meeting emissions-compliance requirements and reducing ship-energy consumption are closely related, she says.

Earlier this year, Lloyd’s Register introduced its ECA Calculator, a cost-scenario modelling tool, to help the industry to identify costeffective routes to emissions compliance. The new EGTS guide is further support to the industry at a time when owners and operators are preparing to decide on compliance strategies.

The EGTS guidance provides technical insight and, together with the ECA Calculator, are the latest products from Lloyd’s Register to support the industry with the dual challenges of compliance and energy management.

The guide was developed with the support of the Shipping Emissions, Abatement and Trading (SEAaT), an organisation comprising owner-operators who are looking for cost-effective compliance solutions.

“SEAaT is happy to have assisted in the development of this very useful and timely guide to the issue of shipboard exhaust gas treatment,” said John Aitken, SEAaT’s General Secretary. “As regulations concerning vessel emissions to air become more stringent, this guide will be of considerable assistance to ship owners and operators as they look for the most cost-effective means of compliance.”

ABS Nautical Systems expands client base in Greece, the Middle East & Asia ABS Nautical Systems Signs Two New Contracts in Greece ABS Nautical Systems has signed two new contracts in Greece with Petrochem General Management S.A. and Opera S.A. for use of its NS5 Enterprise software. Both companies will take advantage of the ABS Newbuild Program which offers free software to ABS-classed vessels built after 1 January 2009.

Petrochem General Management S.A. will implement the Hull Inspection module on seven of its chemical carriers. The Piraeusbased company was looking for a more user-friendly software solution that could integrate with its current Planned Maintenance System to provide advanced information sharing between its vessels and central office location.

Athens-based company, Opera S.A. wants to computerize its current in-house PMS system, and will implement the Hull Inspection and Maintenance Manager modules on two of its vessels and in one central office location.

These modules will provide both companies the tools necessary to support equipment maintenance and hull integrity.

78 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

ABS Nautical Systems Expands Footprint in the Middle East ABS Nautical Systems has signed a contract with Arina Offshore (Fze) for use of its NS5 Enterprise software, marking the fourth new customer win in this region.

The Dubai-based company which specializes in vessel chartering and brokerage will utilize the Maintenance Manager module on one of its offshore vessels through the ABS Transfer of Class Agreement (TOCA) Initiative*. The TOCA Initiative offers free software to any vessel that transfers class into ABS. Arina Offshore (Fze) also will implement the Purchasing & Inventory module from the NS5 software suite on two additional vessels.

These modules give Arina Offshore (Fze) the ability to proactively monitor maintenance trends as well as streamline purchasing, budgeting and inventory processes. * The Transfer of Class Agreement Initiative offers free software up to 12 months to any vessel that transfers into ABS class.

CLASS SOCIETIES ABS Nautical Systems Signs New Contact in Malaysia Saujana Marine Sdn Bhd has signed an agreement for the use of ABS Nautical Systems NS5 Enterprise software on two of their 300 pax accommodation barges. Based in Malaysia, Saujana Marine Sdn Bhd is an integrated marine support service company for the oil and gas industry. The company will implement the Maintenance Manager and Drawings Management modules

through the ABS Newbuild Program, which offers free software to ABS-classed vessels built after 1 January 2009.

The Maintenance Manager software provides Saujana Marine Sdn Bhd the ability to track vessel maintenance trends including repair history, work orders, service requisitions, while Drawings Management allows access to an electronic library of vesselspecific drawings, images and documents.

LNG is the first step towards carbon neutral shipping In 1996, the Norwegian Government decided they wanted domestic ships in Norway to run on natural gas, and four years later the passenger ferry Glutra was launched as the worlds first LNG fuelled ship. The motivation behind this drive was not to reduce emissions of CO2 or GHG, it was to improve air quality and reduce sour rain, in other words it was to reduce emissions of local pollutants. CO2 and GHG were not even on the agenda.

The same motivation has been the underlying driving factor for the development of MARPOL Annex 6, concerning emissions to air from ships: specifically, one main focus is on reducing the emissions of SOx and NOx, and LNG has been developed as one option for compliance with these new requirements.

More recently, the focus has been swinging towards global emissions, also for the shipping industry. As it should in a world with increasing concerns about the climate change. From a regulatory perspective, the only concrete things that have developed are the EEDI and SEEMP schemes, but they both concern themselves with energy efficiency, not with a fundamental change of how the industry propel their ships. Admittedly, the shipping industry displays vast opportunities for efficiency improvements, but this is not enough to meet future global emissions targets. The industry needs to take a more aggressive approach.

Unlike most other industries, though, the shipping industry has no carbon neutral alternatives even worth discussing. For land based power production, you can at least spend your time

Glutra - the first LNG fuelled ship in the world

discussing wind, solar, biomass, and nuclear. For land based transportation you may discuss electric drivetrains, which potentially may become clean if the source of electricity is clean. But for shipping, these alternatives dont apply. If you were to go electric, you would have to fill the entire cargo area with batteries. If you were to go for bio based solutions, you would have to vacuum the world for organic material. A ship doesnt have enough surface area for solar to make sense, and it doesnt have enough stability to carry wind turbines on deck. Sails? sure, if we want to go back to accepting half year voyages at 8 knots in whatever direction the wind is blowing.

The best option shipping has for contributing to global emissions reductions, is to switch to natural gas. This will cut about 25% of CO2-equivalent emissions. This reduction, however, has recently been disputed from two angles; the methane slip in internal combustion engines, i.e. methane slipping unburnt through the engine, and the methane leakages along the natural gas value chain.

The first has already been optimized by the engine suppliers to where it can be considered a minor issue. But the latter is much more difficult to quantify, as it depends largely on the source of natural gas and its production methods. Several studies indicate that there is still clear advantage for natural gas, but the message is clear: Switching to natural gas will not contribute much to reducing global emissions. At least not directly.

Natural gas is primarily methane, and methane is a potential gas for use in fuel cells. So once you already have methane onboard ships, this opens the door for more widespread testing and development of large scale fuel cells. The LNG fuelled offshore supply vessel Viking Lady has already supplied part of its auxiliary power demand with a fuel cell. As the fleet of LNG fuelled ships grows every one of them will become a potential customer for fuel cell suppliers, and hopefully this will speed up development. From a climate perspective, this will mean a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions.

Further, a key benefit of fuel cells is that they can run on various gases. And in the future we may have access to carbon neutral gases. Hydrogen from artificial leafs, or from algae feedstock, are examples of solutions being explored, and if that doesnt work out we can easily generate carbon neutral hydrogen from nuclear reactors.

In other words, by implementing LNG fuelled ships today, we effectively open the road towards carbon neutral shipping. It is the right thing to do. And there are no other plausible alternatives based on presently known and expected technologies.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 79

IMO

IMO Secretary-General Emeritus Efthimios Mitropoulos to receive 2011 International Maritime Prize During the 108th session of the IMO Council, held from 11 to 14 June 2012, it was unanimously agreed to award the prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2011 to Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, Secretary-General Emeritus of IMO, (Secretary-General of the Organization from 2004 to 2011), for his significant contribution to the work of IMO during a long and distinguished career with the Organization.

In nominating his candidature for the award, the government of Greece drew attention to Mr. Mitropoulos' many achievements, which have resulted in increased worldwide recognition of IMO's organisational effectiveness and efficiency as a UN body. The nomination highlighted his strong and insistent advocacy of a united membership and the adoption of an effective global maritime safety and security culture, environmental consciousness and corporate responsibility, noting, in particular, the efforts made by the Organization under his leadership to assist in the prevention and suppression of acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships, including the adoption of guidance to shipowners, ship operators, shipmasters and crew, as well as recommendations to governments. The nomination also stressed Mr. Mitropoulos' advocacy and foresight in working towards the protection of the environment, whether marine or atmospheric; enhancing maritime security; improving the efficiency of maritime traffic; ensuring the consideration of relevant legal matters and fostering and promoting global acceptance and uniform, effective implementation and enforcement of IMO's treaty instruments, including through the provision of technical assistance to developing countries, as well as the establishment of a scheme for auditing IMO Member States' maritime administrations.

International Maritime Prize The International Maritime Prize is awarded annually by IMO to the individual or organisation judged to have made the most significant contribution to the work and objectives of IMO. It consists of a sculpture in the form of a dolphin and also includes a financial award, upon submission of a paper written on a subject relevant to IMO. The prize will be presented to Mr. Mitropoulos at a special ceremony, on a date to be arranged.

Mr. Mitropoulos was also made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) by 80 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

H.M. the Queen of England Elizabeth II and the UK government in recognition of his work and services to international maritime safety, security and protection of the marine environment.

Who is who Efthimios E. Mitropoulos was born in Piraeus, Greece, to a maritime family originating from Galaxidi, historically a leading Greek maritime centre. A graduate of Aspropyrgos Merchant Marine School and Piraeus Naval Academy, he started his career as a Merchant Navy Officer and, from 1962, as a commissioned Officer of the Hellenic Coast Guard. He studied shipping economics in Italy and marine technology in the United Kingdom. As a representative of the Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine, he attended various IMO meetings between 1966 and 1977 as well as the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea. From 1977 to 1979, he was Harbour Master of Corfu.

Mr. Mitropoulos joined the IMO Secretariat in January 1979, in the Maritime Safety Division, and, in May 1992, was appointed Director of the Division. In May 2000, he became Assistant Secretary-General and, in November 2003, was elected Secretary-General for 2004 to 2008.

In November 2006, his mandate was renewed for a second, four-year term, concluding on 31 December 2011.

He is also Chancellor of the World Maritime University (Malmรถ, Sweden) and Chairman of the Governing Board of the International Maritime Law Institute in Malta, both posts being held until 30 June 2012, and the IMO Council has accorded him the status of "Chancellor Emeritus" of WMU from 30 June.

He is the author of several books on shipping economics and policy, categories/types of merchant vessels, safety of navigation and other shipping-related matters.

ΜΕΤΑΞΥ ΜΑΣ

Ναυτιλία, η µεγάλη µας δύναµη

Τα «Ποσειδώνια 2012» έκλεισαν τις πύλες τους, αφήνοντας για άλλη µια φορά τη γεύση της ελληνικής υπεροχής στην παγκόσµια εµπορική ναυτιλία. Γιατί, χωρίς καµιά αµφισβήτηση, τα «Ποσειδώνια» είναι η µεγαλύτερη Ναυτιλιακή Έκθεση στον κόσµο. Μεγαλύτερη και από αυτή του Χόνγκ Κονγκ, µεγαλύτερη και από εκείνες του Λονδίνου και του Όσλο. Χάρη στη ναυτιλία της η χώρα µας φιλοξένησε 1.870 εκθέτες από 87 χώρες και πάνω από 18.000 επισκέπτες –ιστορικό ρεκόρ- στα εφετινά «Ποσειδώνια», η επιτυχία των οποίων έστειλε ένα ηχηρό µήνυµα στην ελληνική και διεθνή κοινότητα, πως η Ελλάδα είναι και θα είναι το «λιµάνι» της παγκόσµιας ναυτιλίας. Όσο για τις συµφωνίες που κλείστηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια της Έκθεσης, αυτές ανέρχονται σε δισεκατοµµύρια ευρώ. Τι κι αν η κρίση στην παγκόσµια ναυτιλία καλά κρατεί; Οι Έλληνες εφοπλιστές δεν πτοούνται και δεν χάνουν µε τίποτα τη δυναµική και τον πρωταγωνιστικό ρόλο στις αγορές πλοίων, σέρνοντας –όπως πάντα, το χορό των επενδύσεων. Είναι αξιοσηµείωτο ότι, από τις αρχές του χρόνου, έχουν «πέσει» στη θάλασσα από Έλληνες εφοπλιστές πάνω από 1,5 δισ. δολάρια για την αγορά 77 νέων πλοίων σε σύνολο 400 που έχουν πωληθεί σε ολόκληρο τον κόσµο. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι οι Έλληνες εφοπλιστές, κόντρα στην οικονοµική κρίση, επενδύουν κάθε χρόνο το ποσό των 3 δισ. δολαρίων για το «χτίσιµο» νέων πλοίων, αποδεικνύοντας την κυριαρχία τους στο παγκόσµιο ναυτιλιακό στερέωµα. Και δεν είναι καθόλου υπερβολή να πούµε ότι η κυριαρχία αυτή, ωθεί όλες τις ναυπηγικές γυάρδες στον κόσµο να έχουν µονίµως το βλέµµα στραµµένο στην Ελλάδα. «Στόλος από 3.325 πλοία, συνδυασµένης χωρητικότητας 227 εκατοµµυρίων dwt και µέσης ηλικίας 10,5 ετών, βρίσκεται σε ελληνικά χέρια σήµερα,

γεγονός που καθιστά τους Έλληνες εφοπλιστές σηµαντικό παράγοντα επιρροής στον τοµέα των θαλασσίων µεταφορών, καθώς και διακαή εµπορικό στόχο για το συνολικό εύρος του πολύπτυχου ναυτιλιακού κλάδου», τόνισε µεταξύ άλλων ο πρόεδρος της Ένωσης Ελλήνων Εφοπλιστών, Θεόδωρος Βενιάµης, στην καθιερωµένη παρουσίαση των «Ποσειδωνίων», λίγες ηµέρες πριν ανοίξει τις πύλες της η διεθνής έκθεση. Και παρά του ότι υπάρχει έντονο το πρόβληµα της χρηµατοδότησης, οι περισσότεροι πιστεύουν ότι οι Έλληνες θα καταφέρουν να βγουν και πάλι πρωτοπόροι µέσα από τη φουρτούνα, όπως τα κατάφεραν τόσες και τόσες φορές στο παρελθόν. Ενδεικτικό είναι το γεγονός ότι, παρόλο που έως τον Μάρτιο 2012, ο ελληνικός στόλος εµφάνισε οριακή µόνο µείωση σε αριθµό πλοίων, η συνολική χωρητικότητά του αυξήθηκε κατά 2,5%. Αυτό από µόνο του, αποδεικνύει τις αντοχές της ελληνικής ναυτιλίας, τα τελευταία δύο χρόνια, στα οποία τόσο η ελληνική όσο και η διεθνής οικονοµία βιώνει µια πρωτοφανή χρηµατοπιστωτική κρίση. Είναι θλιβερό, πάντως, το γεγονός, ότι τα τελευταία χρόνια, η πολιτεία αντί να εκµεταλλευτεί το κύρος, τις γνωριµίες αλλά και τις δυνατότητες για µεγάλες επενδύσεις των Ελλήνων εφοπλιστών, επέλεξε µια αρνητική προσέγγιση και µια εγκληµατική αδιαφορία. Όµως, αυτό έχει αρχίσει να αλλάζει, µετά τις εκλογές της 17ης Ιουνίου, µε πρώτο βήµα την επανασύσταση του υπουργείου Ναυτιλίας, ένα θέµα που ταλαιπώρησε, επί δυόµισι χρόνια την ναυτιλιακή κοινότητα. Επιτέλους, η Ακτή Μιαούλη, χαµογελάει ξανά επανακτώντας τη θέση που της πρέπει. ΛΕΤΤΑ ∆ΗΜΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ-ΜΑΚΡΗ Εκδότρια SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 81

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Τα «Ποσειδώνια» διάδροµος απογείωσης Ας αναπτυχθεί επιτέλους ο Συνεδριακός τουρισµός! Τα «Ποσειδώνια» ήταν αυτή τη φορά η απτή απόδειξη της αξίας που έχει για τη χώρα αυτή η Εµπορική Ναυτιλία. Την ώρα που τα διεθνή ΜΜΕ βούιζαν για την «κακή Ελλάδα», την ώρα που όλοι περίµεναν να ηχήσουν στην Αθήνα οι σάλπιγγες της Ιεριχούς, γέµισαν τα ξενοδοχεία, γέµισαν οι αίθουσες δεξιώσεων, ήλθαν στην Ελλάδα υπουργοί και ξένοι κυβερνητικοί παράγοντες, έγιναν forums και επαφές, κλείστηκαν συµφωνίες δισεκατοµµυρίων και η Ελλάδα βρέθηκε για µια εβδοµάδα στο κέντρο της παγκόσµιας οικονοµίας! Ας είναι αλαφρύ το χώµα που σκεπάζει τους εµπνευστές αυτής της έκθεσης, η οποία δίνει στην Ελλάδα παλµούς ακόµη κι όταν της χρειάζεται απινιδωτής! Χιλιάδες οι σπουδαίοι ξένοι επισκέπτες, έβλεπαν µια χώρα ήσυχη, ήρεµη, µε τη θάλασσα καταγάλανη και απορούσαν µε όσα διάβαζαν στις πατρίδες τους. «Μα, δεν βλέπω φασαρίες στους δρόµους, ούτε φωτιές, ούτε διαδηλώσεις», µας είπε µεγαλοτραπεζίτης από τις ΗΠΑ. «Μα, αυτά που σας δείχνουν για επεισόδια είναι από τη µονοµαχία των ενοριών στο Βροντάδο της Χίου το Πάσχα» του απάντησα, µπερδεύοντάς τον τελείως. Ο Ινδός πρέσβης ήταν κατενθουσιασµένος. «Είσαστε µια εκπληκτική χώρα. Την ώρα που όλοι σας θεωρούν µε την πλάτη στο καναβάτσο, µας παρουσιάζετε τα «Ποσειδώνια». Σας θαυµάζω!», µας έλεγε. Μα, τυχαία φτάσαµε µέχρι την Ινδία µε τον Αλέξανδρο; Εκστατικός και ο Ιάπωνας πρέσβης, πρώην c/o της Nomura! «Βρε παιδί µου, αν είχαν ληφθεί στην πατρίδα µου τα µέτρα που ελήφθησαν εδώ, οι µισοί Ιάπωνες θα είχαµε αυτοκτονήσει. Κι εσείς κάνετε «Ποσειδώνια». Είναι θαύµα αυτό που βλέπω»! Μα, αγαπητέ πρέσβη, τυχαία είµαστε πρώτοι στον

κόσµο στον συγκεκριµένο τοµέα; Έλληνες δεν έφτιαξαν τα πρώτα τους βαπόρια στην Ιαπωνία; Έλληνες δεν άνοιξαν την αγορά της Κορέας; «Σας περιµένουµε πάλι στη Σεούλ», µας είπε ο Κορεάτης πρέσβης. Τι να κάνουµε; Πήγαµε, τα είδαµε, τα θαυµάσαµε, αλλά τώρα θέλουµε να γυρίσουν τα βαπόρια στα ελληνικά ναυπηγεία. Και θα γυρίσουν! Τα «Ποσειδώνια» δεν είναι τυχαία περίπτωση. Είναι αποτέλεσµα ελληνικού πείσµατος, είναι αποτέλεσµα ελληνικής µαγκιάς, είναι απόρροια συλλογικής εργασίας. Μπορεί οι Βώκοι και η Νανά Μιχαήλ να είναι η «ψυχή» αλλά και όσοι εργάσθηκαν γι’ αυτή την σπουδαία για την Ελλάδα έκθεση, έδωσαν πάντα τον καλύτερο εαυτό τους και όχι πάντα για την αµοιβή. Αλλά και η ελληνική Πολιτεία, που δεν άργησε να αντιληφθεί την αξία των «Ποσειδωνίων» για τη χώρα, αγκάλιασε την έκθεση και την έβαλε υπό τη σκέπη της. ∆εν ήταν τυχαία η επίσκεψη του Κωνσταντίνου Καραµανλή στα «Ποσειδώνια» το 1980. Ήταν η αναγνώριση των κινήσεων που έκαναν οι εφοπλιστές τότε φέρνοντας πολύτιµο -και πολύ περισσότερο- συνάλλαγµα στην δοκιµαζόµενη -και τότε- χώρα. Τα «Ποσειδώνια» αξίζουν το σεβασµό µας. Ναι, είναι µια ιδιωτική επιχείρηση. Ναι, οι ιδιοκτήτες της κερδίζουν αρκετά χρήµατα. Κερδίζει, όµως, η Ελλάδα, κερδίζουν εκατοντάδες επιχειρήσεις. Κερδίζουµε -βρε αδερφέ- πόντους! Τα «Ποσειδώνια» είναι το τελευταίο δείγµα υγιούς ιδιωτικής πρωτοβουλίας που επενδύει στη χώρα και φέρνει πλούτο. Είναι ο πρόδροµος, ο διάδροµος, η αίθουσα αναµονής του ΣΥΝΕ∆ΡΙΑΚΟΥ ΤΟΥΡΙΣΜΟΥ!

∆.Κ

Η Κύπρος, τα πετρέλαια και ο Ισηµερινός Η υπαγωγή της Κύπρου στο µηχανισµό στήριξης, έρχεται να διαλύσει το νέφος που κάποιοι προσπάθησαν να δηµιουργήσουν προεκλογικά. Στην Κύπρο, η κυβέρνηση του κοµµουνιστή προέδρου Χριστόφια, προσπάθησε, επί δύο µήνες περίπου να παίξει το παιχνίδι της γάτας µε το ποντίκι. Φυσικά, η γάτα -η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, η οποία γνώριζε την τελική κατάληξη του παιχνιδιού, άφησε το ποντίκι να ονειρεύεται. Τα όνειρα του κ. Χριστόφια όµως περί νέου δανεισµού από τη Ρωσία, η οποία (έχει συµφέροντα στην περιοχή) αλλά και περί (εναλλακτικής λύσης) µε την προσφυγή στην Κίνα, αποδείχτηκαν "φούσκα". Οι Ρώσοι έκλεισαν την πόρτα κατάµουτρα, προφανώς σε συνεννόηση µε την Ε.Ε., οι Κινέζοι είπαν "αφήστε µας να το σκεφτούµε λιγάκι" και όταν το "λιγάκι" πέρασε, άρχισαν να µιλούν περί ανέµων και υδάτων. Έτσι, η Κύπρος, µη έχοντας άλλη επιλογή, υπέβαλλε το σχετικό αίτηµα. Βεβαίως, η αιτία δεν βρίσκεται µόνο 82 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

στην "υπερβολική έκθεση" των κυπριακών τραπεζών στα ελληνικά οµόλογα -όπως αµέσως έσπευσαν να "επικοινωνήσουν" κύκλοι της κυβέρνησης Χριστόφια. Η κυπριακή οικονοµία έπεσε στα βράχια κυρίως λόγω της "µικροµέγαλης" νοοτροπίας του οικονοµικού κυβερνητικού επιτελείου, το οποίο, όπως τονίζουν οικονοµικοί κύκλοι του νησιού, δεν φρόντισε να λάβει εγκαίρως τα κατάλληλα µέτρα και κυρίως δεν προχώρησε σε µείωση του κόστους του ∆ηµοσίου. Σας θυµίζει τίποτε αυτό; Έτσι, η χώρα που από 1ης Ιουλίου 2012 προεδρεύει της Ε.Ε., αποτελεί το νεώτερο µέλος στο κλαµπ της χρεοκοπίας, την κορδέλα των εγκαινίων του οποίου έκοψε ο ΓΑΠ! Το πάθηµα όµως του κ. Χριστόφια έρχεται να αποδοµήσει και τις φούσκες που σερβίρισαν προεκλογικά κάποια ελληνικά κόµµατα, περί "προσφυγής στη Ρωσία και την Κίνα" ή ακόµη και περί εφαρµογής του µοντέλου του Ισηµερινού. Φοβούµεθα, ότι τόσο ο κ. Τσίπρας όσο και ο

ΑΠΟΨΕΙΣ

κ. Καµµένος δεν είναι σε θέση να ισχυριστούν ότι είναι αριστερότεροι του κ. Χριστόφια. Ας πάµε τώρα στην "άλλη καραµέλα", στα πετρέλαια. Βρήκε η Κύπρος πετρέλαιο και αέριο; Βρήκε η Κύπρος κοιτάσµατα για τα οποία έγινε τόσος ντόρος; Πως µια χώρα, η οποία, κατά τα λεγόµενα ορισµένων, έχει βρεθεί στον προθάλαµο του Ελ Ντοράντο, απλώνει χέρι και προσφεύγει στο µηχανισµό στήριξης; Αλλά και πως η δική µας χώρα, όπως διεκήρυσσαν συγκεκριµένα κόµµατα τα οποία άρπαξαν την ψήφο διαµαρτυρίας, θα µπορούσε να... προεισπράξει από κάποιες δυνάµεις το αντίτιµο της αντιπαροχής για τον ορυκτό και τον υποθαλάσσιο πλούτο µας; Περίεργα πράγµατα, περίεργες καταστάσεις. Η Κύπρος, µε τα πετρέλαια, µε την µεγάλη ναυτιλία, µε τις χιλιάδες υπεράκτιες επιχειρήσεις, µε δεκατέσσερα ρωσικά σχολεία και αρκετές χιλιάδες εύπορους Ρώσους να µένουν πλέον µόνιµα στο νησί, εντάσσεται στο µηχανισµό στήριξης! Τι συµβαίνει τελικά; Μήπως είχαµε δίκιο όταν, αρκετό καιρό πριν και ενώ η κυβέρνηση του ΓΑΠ έπαιζε µε την ελληνική οικονοµία, φωνάζαµε ότι η Ελλάδα δεν είναι το πρόβληµα; Μήπως είχαµε δίκιο όταν µιλούσαµε για κρίση του ευρώ και της Ευρωζώνης και κανείς δεν µας άκουγε; Η Κύπρος, για να είµαστε ακριβείς, πληρούσε όλες τις προδιαγραφές για µία επιτυχηµένη καριέρα στην Ευρωζώνη. Χαµηλή φορολογία στις επιχειρήσεις, προσέλ-

κυση ξένων εταιρειών, υπερπλήρη ξενοδοχεία πολλών αστέρων, συνεδριακός τουρισµός, εντοπισµός σοβαρών κοιτασµάτων υδρογονανθράκων, βρετανική διάρθρωση της κρατικής µηχανής. Παρ' όλα όµως αυτά, δεν απέφυγε την ένταξη στο µηχανισµό. Μεταξύ µας, οι αδελφοί Κύπριοι δεν χειρίστηκαν το θέµα πολύ κοµψά. Η άποψη που εκφράστηκε από την κυβέρνηση Χριστόφια, αναφέρεται κυρίως στο θέµα της έκθεσης των κυπριακών τραπεζών στα ελληνικά οµόλογα. ∆εν µας λένε όµως και κάτι σχετικό µε την έκθεση των ελληνικών καταθέσεων στις κυπριακές τράπεζες. ∆ισεκατοµµύρια ευρώ έχουν "πετάξει" από την Ελλάδα προς κυπριακούς τραπεζικούς λογαριασµούς ή θυρίδες. Θα ήταν καλό για όλους να µη γυρίσουµε στα χρόνια που όποτε κάποιοι αδελφοί Κύπριοι είχαν την ανάγκη της µητέρας πατρίδας ορκίζονταν στο ελληνικό τους αίµα (που είναι πράγµατι ελληνικό) αλλά όποτε το συµφέρον το προέτασσε, έδειχναν το κυπριακό διαβατήριο και δήλωναν πολίτες χώρας-µέλος της Κοινοπολιτείας. Κύπρος και Ελλάδα είναι δύο χώρες της Ε.Ε. που µιλούν την ίδια γλώσσα. Εδώ και λίγες µέρες βρίσκονται και οι δύο στο ίδιο βυθιζόµενο σκάφος. Η µοίρα µας είναι για µία ακόµη φορά κοινή όπως και η τύχη µας. Περιθώρια για κόντρες µεταξύ µας, δεν υπάρχουν.

ΡΟΒΕΣΠΙΕΡΟΣ

Με την καραµπίνα στο κρεβάτι Σχεδόν ενάµισι εκατοµµύριο καραµπίνες πουλήθηκαν τον τελευταίο χρόνο. Η καλπάζουσα εγκληµατικότητα απλώνει τον τρόµο πάνω από την πόλη και οι πολίτες που αισθάνονται ανασφαλείς, αναζητούν τρόπους άµυνας και προστασίας του οικογενειακού τους ασύλου. Καθώς οι συµµορίες έγιναν περισσότερες από τις ποδοσφαιρικές οµάδες, οι Έλληνες αποφασίζουν να "οπλοφορούν νοµίµως", προµηθευόµενοι όπλα µε τα οποία πιστεύουν ότι θα έχουν το κεφάλι τους πιο ήσυχο. Το δίχως άλλο, µετά την καρέκλα του υπουργού Οικονοµικών, η πλέον επικίνδυνη είναι εκείνη στην οποία κάθεται ο Νίκος ∆ένδιας, ο άνθρωπος που ορκίστηκε "να βγάλει τις κουκούλες από τους κουκουλοφόρους". Η εγκληµατικότητα, που µέχρι πρότινος ήταν εισαγόµενη και αποτελούσε "προνόµιο" των αλλοδαπών εγκληµατιών, παντρεύτηκε µε την κρίση και µεταδόθηκε στον ηµεδαπό πληθυσµό. ∆ολοφονίες, ληστείες, απαγωγές, συµβόλαια θανάτου, αλλά και τροµοκρατία, όπως φάνηκε στο προχθεσινό περιστατικό στη Microsoft, συνθέτουν ένα εφιαλτικό κοµπολόι, του οποίου τις χάντρες οφείλει να αφαιρέσει µία-µία ο Κερκυραίος υπουργός και οι συνεργάτες του. Οι νεαροί αστυνοµικοί των 800 ευρώ που θέτουν καθηµερινά τη ζωή τους σε κίνδυνο, αντιµετωπίζουν την ζάµπλουτη εγκληµατικότητα µε "στράκα στρούκες". Περιπολικά σε αποσύνθεση, προβληµατικές µοτοσυκλέτες, πενιχρός εξοπλισµός, ακατάλληλα µέτρα προστασίας, και το κυριότερο, µικρός αριθµός ανδρών, δεν επιτρέπουν τη δηµιουργία της απαραίτητης για την σηµερινή µας κοινωνία ασπίδα. Εύκολα αντιλαµβάνεται κανείς πόσο δύσκολο γίνεται το έργο της πολιτικής ηγεσίας του υπουργείου ∆ηµοσίας Τάξεως. Οι εγκληµατίες έχουν αντιληφθεί

το κενό και εκµεταλλεύονται κάθε ευκαιρία, προκαλώντας δέος σε µια κοινωνία που µέχρι πριν λίγα χρόνια έβλεπε τις ληστείες και τους φόνους πρωτοσέλιδα και σήµερα τις ψάχνει στα µονόστηλα των εφηµερίδων. Είναι τροµακτικός ο αριθµός των όπλων που έχουν αγοράσει οι Έλληνες τον τελευταίο χρόνο. Όσο και αν ο νεαρός που πυροβόλησε τον κλέφτη στην Παιανία δηλώνει ότι "το όπλο δεν είναι λύση", όλα δείχνουν ότι, από την ηµέρα του συγκεκριµένου συµβάντος, η περιοχή εκείνη ησύχασε. Ναι, η καραµπίνα δεν είναι λύση αλλά το κράτος οφείλει να αποδείξει ότι είναι σε θέση να προστατεύσει τους πολίτες του. Η καραµπίνα δεν είναι λύση, αλλά όλο και περισσότεροι κοιµούνται µε αυτήν αγκαλιά. Κάποιοι µάλιστα την κρεµούν δίπλα στα εικονίσµατα. Ο αρµόδιος υπουργός πρέπει να θυµάται ανά πάσα στιγµή ότι οι πωλήσεις όπλων αυξήθηκαν κατά 60% και ότι τα οπλοπωλεία είναι οι µόνες επικερδείς επιχειρήσεις. Είναι καιρός να αποδείξει το κράτος ότι µπορεί να παράσχει ασφάλεια. Αλλιώς, οι καραµπίνες θα πληθύνουν και σε ελάχιστο διάστηµα θα αρχίσουν να ακούγονται. Με µία "χράπα-χρούπα" στο κρεβάτι, ο πολίτης αισθάνεται -µπορεί λανθασµένα- ασφαλέστερος. Ας κάνει το κράτος τη δουλειά του για να µην έχουµε µακελειό. Φυσικά, είναι δύσκολο να επιστρέψουµε στα χρόνια, που τα καλοκαίρια βγάζαµε τα ράντζα έξω και κοιµόµασταν στο πεζοδρόµιο. Περισσότερα κάγκελα έχουν πλέον τα σπίτια απ' ότι οι φυλακές. Ας το λάβει σοβαρά υπόψη η κυβέρνηση. Η ασφάλεια των πολιτών πρέπει να αποτελέσει την κύρια προτεραιότητά της, σε συνδυασµό µε το µεταναστευτικό. Όλα τα άλλα θα πάρουν τη σειρά τους. Η ασφάλεια όµως δεν περιµένει.

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Ο Σαµαράς είπε ότι θα επανασυσταθεί το υπουργείο Ναυτιλίας και… έκανε κίνηση µατ! Αρχικά , σκέφθηκε τον Αλέκο Τουρκολιά, στέλεχος της «Εθνικής», επί σειρά ετών διευθυντή του «Ναυτιλιακού». Έχουν µείνει ιστορικά τα ραντεβού του Τουρκολιά στο γραφείο του, στην Ακτή Μιαούλη και Μπουµπουλίνας, όπου αποφάσιζε να χρηµατοδοτήσει την ελληνική ναυτιλία, ποντοπόρο και ακτοπλοΐα. Επί των ηµερών του η «Εθνική» άνοιξε το χαρτοφυλάκιό της και συνέβαλε τα µέγιστα για την ανανέωση του ελληνικού ακτοπλοϊκού στόλου. Ο Τουρκολιάς, όµως, που διατηρεί άριστες σχέσεις µε τον εφοπλισµό, προτίµησε να παραµείνει στα δικά του ληµέρια και να απολαύσει λίγο την ησυχία του. Μια άλλη προσωπικότητα που προτάθηκε, ήταν ο Ευθύµιος Μητρόπουλος, πρώην γενικός γραµµατέας του International Maritime Organisation (ΙΜΟ), του τµήµατος του ΟΗΕ για τη Ναυτιλία, µε έδρα το Λονδίνο. Πρόεδρος πλέον του «Ιδρύµατος Τσάκου» ο Θύµιος Μητρόπουλος δεν «κυνήγησε» τη θέση, αφού έχει αποφασίσει έπειτα από 10 χρόνια στο τιµόνι του ΙΜΟ να ιδιωτεύσει. Έτσι, ο Αντώνης Σαµαράς αποδέχθηκε την πρόταση του εφοπλιστή Παναγιώτη Τσάκου (από τα Καρδάµυλα της Χίου) και τοποθέτησε στο ΥΕΝ τον Κώστα Μουσουρούλη, οικονοµολόγο, βουλευτή Χίου! Μην ξεχνάµε ότι καπετάν-Παναγιώτης είχε επιβάλει και το τελευταίο «δίδυµο» στο υπουργείο «Θαλασσίων Υποθέσεων», επί του απίθανου ΓΑΠ, τον Γιάννη ∆ιαµαντίδη, µε τον οποίο διατηρεί άριστες σχέσεις και την Ελπίδα Τσουρή, βουλευτή ΠΑΣΟΚ Χίου! Αλλά και το ΠΑΣΟΚ δεν πήγε πίσω! Πρότεινε για υφυπουργό τον επιχειρηµατία του yachting Γιώργο Βερνίκο, γιο του αειµνήστου υπουργού της Ενώσεως Κέντρου, Αλέκου Βερνίκου, ο οποίος, χωρίς κόµπλεξ και σαχλαµάρες, βρίσκεται πολλά χρόνια στο χώρο της κεντροαριστεράς (κυρίως µε τον Σηµίτη) και είχε φάει τις σφαλιάρες του στα γεγονότα της Νοµικής το 1973! Η κεντροαριστερή (α-λα Ολάντ) τοποθέτησή του, δεν τον εµποδίζει, φυσικά, από το να ποζάρει σε κοσµικές στήλες και να κάνει διακοπές µε κάποιο από τα πολλά σκάφη που διατηρεί και ενοικιάζει η “Vernicoς Yachtς” ενώ ο αδελφός του, Νίκος Βερνίκος, επίσης εφοπλιστής, έχει χρηµατίσει κατά καιρούς µέλος διοικητικών συµβουλίων κρατικών Τραπεζών και της Κρατικής «Ολυµπιακής», ανεξαρτήτως κυβερνήσεων. Μάλιστα, η γυναίκα του, Βαρβάρα, ήταν υποψήφια µε τους «Ταύρους» του Στέφανου Μάνου αλλά έκτοτε δεν ξαναδοκίµασε. Προτίµησε το εµπόριο ρούχων. Έτσι, στο Υπουργείο Ναυτιλίας και Αιγαίου, οι εφοπλιστές της ποντοπόρου και οι επιχειρηµατίες του yachting έχουν τους «δικούς τους» ανθρώπους, εκείνους, δηλαδή, που θα συζητή84 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

σουν αµέσως µαζί τους και θα βρουν λύσεις. Κάτι, δηλαδή, που δεν έγινε σε άλλα υπουργεία, όπου αγνοήθηκαν οι άνθρωποι της Αγοράς. Τοποθετώντας τον Βερνίκο στο Yachting, που σήµερα δοκιµάζεται, είναι σαν να τοποθετείς υπουργό εµπορίου τον Κορκίδη, που γνωρίζει την «πιάτσα». Τυχερή η Ναυτιλία, αυτή τη φορά, πολύ τυχερή…

Mε την επανασύσταση του Υπουργείου Εµπορικής Ναυτιλίας και Αιγαίου από την κυβέρνηση Σαµαρά, που αποδείχθηκε συνεπής στα λόγια του, αποκαταστάθηκε η τάξη στον ισχυρότερο παγκοσµίως βιοµηχανικό κλάδο της Ελλάδας. Ο ελληνικός εφοπλισµός ελέγχει το 15,1% της χωρητικότητας του παγκόσµιου στόλου µε την Ιαπωνία στην δεύτερη θέση (14,5%). Ας δούµε τι έλεγαν προεκλογικά Ν∆ και ΠΑΣΟΚ (µετά τη θύελλα ΓΑΠ) για τον ναυτιλιακό τοµέα:

ΝΕΑ ∆ΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ • Εγγύηση της σταθερότητας και διαχρονικότητας του συνταγµατικού και νοµικού πλαισίου που διέπει τη ναυτιλία.

• Ολοκληρωµένο πλαίσιο πολιτικών για τη ναυτική εκπαίδευση, ισοτιµία µε πανεπιστηµιακό τίτλο του καταληκτικού διπλώµατος πλοιάρχων και µηχανικών, ιδιωτικές σχολές ναυτικής εκπαίδευσης και επιµόρφωσης.

• Πλήρης αξιοποίηση των ευρωπαϊκών οδηγιών για κρατικές ενισχύσεις στη ναυτιλία, άνοιγµα αγορών, επαναλειτουργία του Ελληνικού Νηογνώµονα.

• Προνοµιακή αντιµετώπιση των εισροών ναυτιλιακού συναλλάγµατος, εφόσον κατευθύνεται σε παραγωγικές επενδύσεις για τη δηµιουργία θέσεων εργασίας.

• Ο Πειραιάς ναυτιλιακό κέντρο.

• Ελεύθερος ανταγωνισµός στην ακτοπλοΐα, αλλαγές στο θεσµικό πλαίσιο µε βάση τις τεχνολογικές εξελίξεις στα πλοία, επανασχεδιασµός του δικτύου θαλάσσιων µεταφορών, εξορθολογισµός ΦΠΑ, χρήση πόρων της ΕτΕΠ για τη βελτίωση των λιµενικών υποδοµών.

• Συµβάσεις παραχώρησης µε µεγάλες εταιρείες κρουαζιερόπλοιων για την κατασκευή υποδοµών στα λιµάνια, επανάληψη του παραδείγµατος Cosco-OΛΠ και σε άλλα λιµάνια όπως στη Θεσσαλονίκη.

• Εθνικό Λιµενικό Σύστηµα, συνενώσεις λιµένων, είσοδος στο ΧΑΑ και άλλων λιµένων.

• Ανώνυµη Εταιρεία για τη Ναυπηγο-επισκευαστική Ζώνη Περάµατος, µε τη συµµετοχή του ΟΛΠ, ιδιωτικών επιχειρήσεων και των δήµων Περάµατος - Σαλαµίνας, σύµβαση παρα-

REPORTAGE χώρησης απευθείας µε το ελληνικό δηµόσιο για την εκµετάλλευση όλης της περιοχής, υπαγωγή της Α.Ε. στις ευρωπαϊκές επιδοτήσεις.

ΠΑΣΟΚ • Κίνητρα για ενίσχυση της ελληνικής σηµαίας • Σύσταση ενός αναπτυξιακού σύγχρονου υπουργείου Ναυτιλίας.

• ∆ιαµόρφωση ποιοτικής εκπαίδευσης, συντεταγµένη και πιστοποιηµένη είσοδος ιδιωτικών φορέων σε θέµατα ναυτικής κατάρτισης.

• Ενίσχυση του ναυτιλιακού κέντρου του Πειραιά σε επίπεδο άυλων και υλικών υποδοµών. Προσέλκυση εγκατάστασης ναυτιλιακών και συναφών επιχειρήσεων σε όλη την επικράτεια.

• Κίνητρα γα την ενίσχυση της ελληνικής σηµαίας, διευκόλυνση της εγγραφής πλοίων στο ελληνικό νηολόγιο.

• ∆ιαµόρφωση θεσµικού πλαισίου για την αντιµετώπιση των προβληµάτων των ναυτικών, καθώς και εξέταση θεµάτων για την προσέλκυση στο ναυτικό επάγγελµα.

• Επανασχεδιασµός του ακτοπλοϊκού δικτύου και αλλαγή πλαισίου στις γραµµές δηµοσίου συµφέροντος. Υιοθέτηση πολιτικών για την ανάσχεση της κρίσης στην ακτοπλοΐα.

• ∆ιαχωρισµός των λιµενικών δραστηριοτήτων και αντιµονοπωλιακή πολιτική.

• Αναζωογόνηση του θαλάσσιου τουρισµού, της ναυπηγικής και επισκευαστικής βιοµηχανίας.

• Η επανασύσταση του Υπουργείου Εµπορικής Ναυτιλίας και Αιγαίου από την κυβέρνηση συνεργασίας αποκατέστησε την αδικία και την τάξη στον ισχυρότερο παγκοσµίως βιοµηχανικό κλάδο της Ελλάδας. Ο ελληνικός εφοπλισµός ελέγχει το 15,1% της χωρητικότητας του παγκόσµιου στόλου µε την Ιαπωνία στην δεύτερη θέση (14,5%). Αυτά ως προς τα λόγια και τα γραφτά. Τώρα, δουλειά και, κυρίως, αποκατάσταση του Λιµενικού Σώµατος και επαναφορά του στον Πειραιά, στο σπίτι του, στα γραφεία και δίπλα στη Ναυτιλία, όπως από καιρό, µε επιτυχία και αυταπάρνηση. Καλό µας ταξίδι…

∆.Κ

Βράβευση ναυτικών και υποτροφίες από την ΕΕΕ «Οι άνθρωποι της θάλασσας αφουγκράζονται µε προσοχή τα όσα συµβαίνουν γύρω τους. ∆εν θορυβούν αλλά µεθοδικά και υπεύθυνα διαµορφώνουν και πραγµατοποιούν τη δική τους ανθρωπιστική και κοινωνική παρέµβαση. Έτσι έχουν κάνει στο παρελθόν, έτσι κάνουν και τώρα. Είµαι βέβαιος ότι θα τα καταφέρουν και πάλι στο µέτρο του δυνατού, της ευαισθησίας και του πατριωτισµού τους». Αυτό τόνισε ο πρόεδρος της Ένωσης Ελλήνων Εφοπλιστών, κατά την ετήσια εκδήλωση βράβευσης των ναυτικών, που τερµάτισαν το 2008 τη σταδιοδροµία τους σε ποντοπόρα πλοία, µε τη µεγαλύτερη θαλάσσια υπηρε- (από αρ.) Μαρίνος ∆άφνος, Μαριέττα Χανδρή, Κωνσταντίνος Λιαδής -Πρόεδρος και Γενικός ∆ιευθυντής CARRAS (HELLAS) S.A., Θεόδωρος Βενιάµης -Πρόεδρος Ενώσεως Ελλήνων Εφοπλιστών, Ελευθέριος Τριπολίτης, κα Τραυλού (µητέρα της Αρτέµιδος – σία καθώς και στην απονοµή Ελένης Τραυλού), Ιωάννης Σαρρής, Αντώνιος –Παναγιώτης Μέργος, Tom Boardley -Marine Director Lloyd’s Register of υποτροφιών σε µεταπτυχιακούς Shipping, Απόστολος Πουλαβασίλης -Region Marine Manager, Europe, Middle East & Africa Hellenic Lloyd’s S.A. σπουδαστές. Στην εκδήλωση παρέστησαν: ο γενικός γραµµατέας Ναυτιλίας αύριο για να επιβραβεύσει συµβολικά τις προσπάθειες της νέας Νικόλαος Λίτινας καθώς και οι διοικήσεις των ναυτικών οργαγενιάς για µόρφωση και πρόοδο». «Αυτό δεν σηµαίνει ότι αγνονώσεων και εκπρόσωποι εφοπλιστικών ενώσεων. είται το παρόν», υπογράµµισε. Τα βραβεία στους ναυτικούς από 3.000 το καθένα, που Τιµή και ελπίδα απένειµε ο πρόεδρος της ΕΕΕ, έλαβαν από την κατηγορία αξιω«Για ακόµη µια φορά, εδώ και 36 χρόνια, η ΕΕΕ µε αυτή την µατικών, ο ανθυποπλοίαρχος, Ελευθέριος Τριπολίτης και από εκδήλωση, στρέφει τη σκέψη της στο χθες και συγχρόνως στο την κατηγορία πληρωµάτων, ο µάγειρας, Μαρίνος ∆άφνος, ενώ αύριο», είπε ο κ. Βενιάµης και πρόσθεσε: «Στο χθες για να τιµήοι υποτροφίες απενεµήθησαν σε τρεις αποφοίτους ελληνικών σει τους ναυτικούς, που πέρασαν µεγάλο µέρος της ζωής τους πανεπιστηµίων, οι οποίοι κάνουν µεταπτυχιακά σε ευρωπαϊκά προσφέροντας υποδειγµατικές υπηρεσίες στη ναυτιλία και στο πανεπιστήµια.

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GDF: Η ναυτιλία και πάλι ένα βήµα µπροστά Ο εφοπλιστής Πήτερ Νοµικός εµπνευστής και ιδρυτής του GDF

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Ευάγγελος Μαρινάκης

Μπορεί η εποχή που οι Έλληνες καραβοκύρηδες άνοιγαν τα σεντούκια τους και πρόσφεραν τις λίρες για τον αγώνα να µοιάζει µακρινή. Ωστόσο, ο Πήτερ Νοµικός, γόνος της γνωστής εφοπλιστικής οικογένειας της Σαντορίνης, έρχεται να ανοίξει ένα καινούργιο σεντούκι το Greece Debt Free, δηµιουργώντας ένα κίνη86 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

µα που θα ενώσει σε µια κοινή προσπάθεια τους Έλληνες σε όλο τον κόσµο, µε στόχο τη διαγραφή του ελληνικού χρέους. Σκοπός του GDF είναι η επαναγορά ελληνικών οµολόγων από τις αγορές σε τιµή χαµηλότερη από την ονοµαστική τους αξία και η εν συνεχεία ακύρωσή τους. Η προσπάθεια άρχισε στα µέσα του Ιουνίου και σε ελάχιστο χρόνο είχαν συγκεντρωθεί 2,2 εκατοµµύρια ευρώ. «Είµαστε περίπου 16 εκατοµµύρια Έλληνες ανά τον κόσµο, το να φέρουµε το ελληνικό χρέος σε βιώσιµα επίπεδα είναι ένας στόχος τον οποίο αξίζει να επιδιώξουµε. ∆εν θα είναι η πρώτη φορά άλλωστε που οι απανταχού Έλληνες θα βοηθήσουµε το έθνος σε δύσκολους καιρούς. Το GDF δεν αγοράζει οµόλογα από το Ελληνικό κράτος, αλλά από τρίτους στις διεθνείς αγορές. Τον Ιούνιο του 2012, εξαγοράσαµε οµόλογα των 125 ευρώ για κάθε 1.000 ευρώ που χρωστούσε το κράτος στον οµολογιούχο. Ωστόσο, η Ελλάδα χρωστάει ακόµη 1.000 ευρώ στο GDF, παρόλο που ξόδεψε µόνο 125 ευρώ για να αγοράσει αυτά τα οµόλογα. Το GDF όµως θα φροντίσει να ακυρωθούν τα οµόλογα αυτά, απαλλάσσοντας το ελληνικό κράτος από αυτή την υποχρέωση. Οπότε, θα έχει βοηθήσει να µειωθούν 8 ευρώ ελληνικού χρέους για κάθε 1 ευρώ από δωρεές. Το µεγαλύτερο πρόβληµα για την Ελλάδα και τους Έλληνες είναι το χρέος, που αφορά και "πιάνει" όλους τους πολίτες ανεξαρτήτως πολιτικής τοποθετήσεως», δηλώνει ο Πέτρος Νοµικός. Από τους πρώτους που αγόρασαν οµόλογα για το GDF ήταν ο πρόεδρος της Capital Ευάγγελος Μαρινάκης, ο οποίος αγόρασε χρέος 1,4 εκατοµµύρια ευρώ δωρίζοντας στο GDF 168.590 ευρώ. «Θέλησα να δώσω το παράδειγµα µε αυτή µου την ενέργεια ώστε να κινητοποιηθούµε όλοι και να βοηθήσουµε τη χώρα µας στις δύσκολες ώρες που βιώνουµε. Οι Έλληνες είµαστε πατριώτες και έφτασε η στιγµή να δείξουµε ότι όλοι µαζί µπορούµε να τα καταφέρουµε. Η Ελλάδα µπορεί και πρέπει να πάει µπροστά», δηλώνει ο Β. Μαρινάκης. Η πρωτοβουλία του Π. Νοµικού βρίσκει ήδη ανταπόκριση όχι µόνο στον εφοπλιστικό χώρο αλλά και σε άλλους επιχειρηµατικούς τοµείς. Το GDF προβάλλεται ήδη από πολλές ιστοσελίδες και ΜΜΕ, δεν έχει υπαλλήλους, τηρεί πλήρη διαφάνεια, σύµφωνα µε τους νόµους της Πολιτείας, του Ντελαγουέαρ των ΗΠΑ. Βασίζεται σε εθελοντές και δεν µπορεί ποτέ να υπαχθεί στην επιρροή οποιασδήποτε κυβέρνησης. Σήµερα, κάθε Έλληνας χρωστάει περίπου 24.800 ευρώ σε εθνικό χρέος, αλλά η αγοραπωλησία του στην διεθνή αγορά κοστίζει περίπου 3.000 ευρώ. Κάθε πολίτης µπορεί να ενηµερωθεί και να συµµετάσχει στην προσπάθεια επισκεπτόµενος την ιστοσελίδα www.greecedebtfree.org. Το GDF βρίσκεται ήδη πολύ κοντά σε συνεργασία µε τις εταιρείες κινητής τηλεφωνίας, ώστε να µπορεί ο κάθε Έλληνας να στέλνει ένα SMS αξίας ενός ευρώ υπέρ της αγοράς του ελληνικού χρέους. Για φανταστείτε πόσο εύκολο και πόσο αποδοτικό θα είναι κάτι τέτοιο.

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Ρόδη Κράτσα Τσαγκαροπούλου:

Επενδύσεις στην Ευρώπη: Ανάγκη σύγκλισης Βορρά και Νότου Σε µία ιδιαίτερα κρίσιµη περίοδο για την Ελλάδα και την Ευρώπη, όπου η προσέλκυση επενδύσεων και η ισόρροπη κατανοµή τους στις ευρωπαϊκές περιφέρειες αποτελούν στοιχεία απαραίτητα για την ανάπτυξη και την ανάκαµψη των οικονοµιών, ιδίως του Νότου, υπερψηφίστηκε από την Ολοµέλεια του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου στο Στρασβούργο, η έκθεση της ευρωβουλευτού Ρόδης Κράτσα Τσαγκαροπούλου, για την «ελκυστικότητα των επενδύσεων στην Ευρώπη». «Ζητούµε εναγωνίως από την ανάπτυξη να δηµιουργήσει πλούτο, θέσεις εργασίας, να ενισχύσει την διεθνή ανταγωνιστικότητα της Ένωσης καθώς και την οικονοµική και περιφερειακή σύγκλιση εντός της Ε.Ε. Η ανάπτυξη αυτή θα προέλθει κατεξοχήν από επιχειρηµατικές πρωτοβουλίες και επενδύσεις», επισηµαίνει η ευρωβουλευτής και συµπληρώνει: «Ο στόχος µας πρέπει να είναι διπλός: 1) Η Ευρώπη να παραµένει ο πρώτος επενδυτικός προορισµός παγκοσµίως, θέση η οποία απειλείται µε δεδοµένο τον ισχυρό ανταγωνισµό από νέους επενδυτικούς προορισµούς 2) Οι επενδύσεις πρέπει να συµβάλλουν στην ισόρροπη ανάπτυξη και συνοχή της Ε.Ε.». Η έκθεση κάνει µία λεπτοµερή καταγραφή στα µέτρα που πρέπει να ληφθούν τόσο σε εθνικό, όσο και σε ευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο για να αποκατασταθεί η εµπιστοσύνη των αγορών και των επενδυτών στις ευρωπαϊκές οικονοµίες, κυρίως όσον αφορά στις χώρες του Νότου, λόγω των κινδύνων που εγκυµονούν εξαιτίας της δηµοσιονοµικής κρίσης. Η εισηγήτρια τονίζει ότι το 26% των επενδυτών θεωρεί τη Βόρεια Ευρώπη ελκυστική και ιδιαίτερα το Ηνωµένο Βασίλειο. Αντίθετα, σήµερα στη Νότια Ευρώπη µόνο το 3% των business leaders ενδιαφέρεται να επενδύσει. «Είναι άµεση η ανάγκη να αξιοποιηθούν τα οφέλη που προσφέρει το ευρώ, τα διαρθρωτικά ταµεία και η ενιαία αγορά καθώς και τα ιδιαίτερα συγκριτικά πλεονεκτήµατα των ευρωπαϊκών περιφερειών για την προσέλκυση εγχώριων και ξένων άµεσων επενδύσεων. Ο σχεδιασµός και η ταχεία αξιοποίηση των καινοτόµων χρηµατοδοτικών εργαλείων, όπως τα οµολόγα έργων και οι συµπράξεις δηµόσιου και ιδιωτικού τοµέα µε την ενεργότερη συµµετοχή της Ευρωπαϊκής Τράπεζας Επενδύσεων για την προώθηση επενδύσεων που θα συµβάλλουν στην ανάκαµψη των οικονοµιών της Ευρώπης, δεν πρέπει να καθυστερήσουν». Η έκθεση ζητεί µία ευρωπαϊκή στρατηγική επενδύσεων, ολοκληρωµένη και συνεκτική στο ευρύτερο πλαίσιο της στρατηγικής “Ευρώπη 2020”, µε στόχο να ενισχύσει την προσπάθεια της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης προς την επίτευξη βιώσιµης ανάπτυξης και δηµιουργίας θέσεων εργασίας, ιδιαίτερα στις χώρες που αντιµετωπίζουν χαµηλή ανάπτυξη ή ύφεση όπως στην Ελλάδα. Σήµερα, το µεγαλύτερο ποσοστό των επενδύσεων προέρχεται από τις Ηνωµένες Πολιτείες, ενώ η σηµασία των επενδυτών από τις αναδυόµενες οικονοµίες, και κυρίως την Κίνα, είναι

διαρκώς αυξανόµενη. Για την καταγραφή αυτών των δεδοµένων και την παρακολούθηση της προόδου της επενδυτικής πολιτικής, η εισηγήτρια προτείνει τη δηµιουργία Παρατηρητηρίου για τις επενδύσεις στο πλαίσιο της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής µε στόχο την προώθηση της Ε.Ε. ως επενδυτικού προορισµού, µέσω προτάσεων µε ιδιαίτερη έµφαση στην εξισορρόπηση της βάσης των επενδύσεων µεταξύ των χωρών της Ε.Ε. Σύµφωνα µε τις προτάσεις της εισηγήτριας, απαιτούνται επίσης: Ρόδη Κράτσα Τσαγκαροπούλου • περισσότερες επενδύσεις στην έρευνα, στην καινοτοµία και στην εκπαίδευση • άρση των γραφειοκρατικών εµποδίων και άλλων κανονιστικών αγκυλώσεων • ενθάρρυνση της διασυνοριακής επιχειρηµατικότητας και συνεργασίας • µεγαλύτερος συντονισµός δηµοσιονοµικών, φορολογικών και οικονοµικών πολιτικών των κρατών-µελών • ενεργότερος ρόλος της Ευρωπαϊκής Κεντρικής Τράπεζας στην ενίσχυση της ρευστότητας • προώθηση της συνεργασίας των οικονοµικών φορέων µεταξύ των χωρών-µελών και της συµπληρωµατικότητας των οικονοµικών δραστηριοτήτων • ενθάρρυνση των µακροπεριφερειακών στρατηγικών, όπως αυτής µεταξύ χωρών της Μεσογείου, και καλύτερη αξιοποίηση της ευρωπαϊκής πολιτικής γειτονίας στον Βορρά και τον Νότο της Ευρώπης • σύναψη συµφωνιών για ζώνες ελεύθερων συναλλαγών µε τους κύριους εµπορικούς εταίρους της Ε.Ε. µε ισόρροπη και αµοιβαία προστασία των συµφερόντων των ενδιαφεροµένων µερών • προσέλκυση θεσµικών επενδυτών µε συµµετοχή σε ευρωπαϊκά ταµεία επιχειρηµατικού κεφαλαίου, καθώς και προώθηση συνεργειών µεταξύ της Ε.Ε. και των κρατικών επενδυτικών ταµείων από τρίτες χώρες • ενεργός ρόλος της Ε.Ε. σε διεθνές επίπεδο για την χρηµατοπιστωτική εποπτεία, µακροοικονοµική ισορροπία και προάσπιση της ευρωπαϊκής ελκυστικότητας και ανταγωνιστικότητας.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 87

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Ευτυχώς, υπάρχουν ακόµη Φιλέλληνες Το ποίηµα του Γκίντερ Γκρας ∆ηµοσιεύουµε σήµερα το ποίηµα του Γερµανού συγγραφέα, Γκίντερ Γκρας, µε τίτλο «Η Ντροπή της Ευρώπης» και θέµα τη χώρα µας και την κρίση. Χρησιµοποιώντας τη φόρµα αρχαιοελληνικής ωδής, ο νοµπελίστας απευθύνθηκε στην Ευρώπη και την προειδοποιεί ότι κινδυνεύει µε πνευµατική πενία αν αποπέµψει από τις αγκάλες της τη χώρα που τη δηµιούργησε. Με αναφορές στην Ιφιγένεια εν Ταύροις του Γκαίτε, τον µύθο της Αντιγόνης και το έργο του φιλέλληνα Γερµανού λυρικού ποιητή Χέλντερλιν, ο Γκρας διατρέχει την ελληνική Ιστορία, από την αρχαιότητα ως τη δικτατορία των συνταγµαταρχών. Καταλήγει δε µε την απειλή ότι «η απληστία των τραπεζών, των επιτρόπων και των εγκαθέτων τους» θα προκαλέσει τη µήνι των ίδιων των θεών. ∆ίχως την Ελλάδα η Ευρώπη θα είναι φτωχότερη, µία ήπειρος φθαρµένη και στερηµένη από οποιαδήποτε πνευµατικότητα.

«Η Ντροπή της Ευρώπης» Στο χάος κοντά, γιατί δεν συµµορφώθηκε στις αγορές· κι Εσύ µακριά από τη Χώρα, που Σου χάρισε το λίκνο. Όσα Εσύ µε την ψυχή ζήτησες και νόµισες πως βρήκες, τώρα θα καταλυθούν, και θα εκτιµηθούν σαν σκουριασµένα παλιοσίδερα. Σαν οφειλέτης διαποµπευµένος και γυµνός, υποφέρει µια Χώρα· κι Εσύ, αντί για το ευχαριστώ που της οφείλεις, προσφέρεις λόγια κενά. Καταδικασµένη σε φτώχεια η Χώρα αυτή, που ο πλούτος της κοσµεί Μουσεία: η λεία που Εσύ φυλάττεις. Αυτοί που µε τη δύναµη των όπλων είχαν επιτεθεί στη Χώρα την ευλογηµένη µε νησιά, στον στρατιωτικό τους σάκο κουβαλούσαν τον Χέλντερλιν. Ελάχιστα αποδεκτή Χώρα, όµως οι πραξικοπηµατίες της, κάποτε, από Εσένα, ως σύµµαχοι έγιναν αποδεκτοί. Χώρα χωρίς δικαιώµατα, που η ισχυρογνώµονη εξουσία ολοένα και περισσότερο της σφίγγει το ζωνάρι. Σ' Εσένα αντιστέκεται φορώντας µαύρα η Αντιγόνη, και σ' όλη τη Χώρα πένθος ντύνεται ο λαός, που Εσένα φιλοξένησε. Όµως, έξω από τη Χώρα, του Κροίσου οι ακόλουθοι και οι όµοιοί του όλα όσα έχουν τη λάµψη του χρυσού στοιβάζουν στο δικό Σου θησαυροφυλάκιο. Πιες επιτέλους, πιες! κραυγάζουν οι εγκάθετοι των Επιτρόπων, όµως ο Σωκράτης, µε οργή Σου επιστρέφει το κύπελλο γεµάτο ως επάνω. Θα καταραστούν εν χορώ, ό,τι είναι δικό Σου οι θεοί, που τον Όλυµπό τους η δική Σου θέληση ζητάει ν' απαλλοτριώσει. Στερηµένη από πνεύµα, Εσύ θα φθαρείς χωρίς τη Χώρα, που το πνεύµα της, Εσένα, Ευρώπη, εδηµιούργησε. (Μετάφραση: (Πατρίτσια Αδαµοπούλου)

Ένα µεγάλο έργο του Ο.Λ.Π. σε τροχιά υλοποίησης ∆ηµοσιεύθηκε η πρόσκληση (Α.Π.2489/9.7.2012) από την Ενδιάµεση ∆ιαχειριστική Αρχή της Περιφέρειας Αττικής για το έργο του Ο.Λ.Π. Α.Ε. «Επέκταση επιβατικού λιµένα κρουαζιέρας – νότιος προβλήτας λιµένος Πειραιώς», προϋπολογισµού 220.000.000 Ευρώ. Όπως είναι γνωστό, µε κύριο στόχο να µετατραπεί το Λιµάνι του Πειραιά σε κόµβο κρουαζιέρας (hub) της Ανατολικής Μεσογείου, ο Ο.Λ.Π. Α.Ε., αφού κατάρτισε όλες τις απαιτούµενες µελέτες, υπέβαλε τις προτάσεις του στο ΕΣΠΑ, οι οποίες οδήγησαν στην έκδοση Y.A. (57534/ΕΥΣ6330/ 27.12.2011) το ∆εκέµβριο του 2011. Το έργο αυτό, εντάσσεται πλέον στο Περιφερειακό Επιχειρησιακό Πρόγραµµα «Αττική 2007 – 2013» στον άξονα προτεραιότητας 1 (Ενίσχυση των υποδοµών προσπελασιµότητας) µε προϋπολογισµό 220.000.000 Ευρώ, εκ των οποίων τα 187.000.000 αποτελούν κοινοτική συνδροµή και τα 33.000.000 Εθνική Συµµετοχή. Για την εκτέλεση του έργου αυτού έχουν προβλεφθεί δύο φάσεις, ώστε µέχρι το 2015 να απορροφηθούν πόροι από το 88 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

τρέχον ΕΣΠΑ. Αναµένεται να ολοκληρωθούν όλες οι απαιτούµενες διαδικασίες σε Αθήνα και Βρυξέλλες εντός του έτους, ώστε η κατασκευή του έργου να ξεκινήσει στις αρχές του 2013. Η κύρια αιτιολογία για την κατασκευή του µεγάλου έργου αυτού βρίσκεται: (α) στον βασικό ρόλο που έχει το λιµάνι του Πειραιά στη στήριξη της κρουαζιέρας µέσω της πλήρους παροχής υπηρεσιών (νερό, καύσιµα, τροφοεφόδια, επισκευές, παραλαβή λυµάτων κλπ.), υπηρεσίες που δεν παρέχουν τα άλλα λιµάνια κρουαζιέρας και (β) λόγω του µεγέθους των νέας γενιάς κρουαζιερόπλοιων, τα οποία λόγω του µήκους τους δεν µπορούν να ελλιµενισθούν στις υπάρχουσες θέσεις του Κεντρικού Λιµένα. Με τη λειτουργία και των νέων θέσεων ελλιµενισµού, ο Πειραιάς καθίσταται το µεγαλύτερο λιµάνι κρουαζιέρας της Μεσογείου, προσδίδοντας επισκεψιµότητα και νέες θέσεις εργασίας καθόλη τη διάρκεια του έτους. Ήδη, µέχρι το τέλος του 2012, θα παραδοθούν δύο νέες θέσεις ελλιµενισµού κρουαζιερόπλοιων στην Ακτή Μιαούλη, οι

REPORT οποίες επίσης χρηµατοδοτούνται από το ΕΣΠΑ Αττικής, καθώς και δύο σύγχρονοι Σταθµοί Υποδοχής Επιβατών 9.500 τ.µ. Όπως δήλωσε ο Πρόεδρος και ∆ιευθύνων Σύµβουλος του Ο.Λ.Π. Α.Ε., Γιώργος Ανωµερίτης: «Αναδεικνύουµε την κρουαζιέρα σε πυλώνα του θαλάσσιου τουρισµού και τον Πειραιά σε κέντρο Τουρισµού και Πολιτισµού. Τα συναρµόδια Υπουργεία και η Περιφέρεια Αττικής µε τον Περιφερειάρχη κ. Ι. Σγουρό, κατανόησαν και βοήθησαν στο να δροµολογηθεί επιτέλους και στον Πειραιά ένα µεγάλο έργο. Μαζί µε την Πολιτιστική Ακτή Πειραιά, ο Τουρισµός και ο Πολιτισµός δίνουν νέες αναπτυξιακές προοπτικές στον Πειραιά και την Αττική. Πρόκειται όµως για ένα έργο, που δίνει δύναµη και σε όλα τα περιφερειακά και νησιώτικα λιµάνια κρουαζιέρας, αφού χωρίς έναν σύγχρονο και µεγάλο κόµβο (hub) κρουαζιέρας στην Ελλάδα, όλη η δυναµική της κρουαζιέρας θα κινδύνευε προς όφελος τρίτων. Με το έργο

Γιώργος Ανωµερίτης

αυτό, ένα ακόµα µεγάλο έργο του Αναπτυξιακού Προγράµµατος του Ο.Λ.Π. Α.Ε. µπαίνει σε τροχιά υλοποίησης».

Νέα Μέλη στο Συµβούλιο της Κυπριακής Ένωσης Πλοιοκτητών Στο Golf Club Γλυφάδας, διεξήχθη στις 2 Ιουλίου, η Τακτική Γενική Συνέλευση της Κυπριακής Ένωσης Πλοιοκτητών, στην οποία παρευρέθηκαν Πλοιοκτήτες Μέλη της Ένωσης και Ανώτεροι Αξιωµατούχοι του Τµήµατος Εµπορικής Ναυτιλίας. Κατά τη διάρκεια της Γενικής Συνέλευσης εκλέχτηκαν τα ακόλουθα Μέλη στο Συµβούλιο της Ένωσης: Εκτελεστική Επιτροπή Γιώργος Μούσκας Πρόεδρος Πόλυς Βάσου Χατζηιωάννου Αντιπρόεδρος Ανδρέας Χατζηγιάννης Αντιπρόεδρος Αναστάσιος ∆αυίδ Σύµβουλος Χρίστος Χρυσάνθου Σύµβουλος Τάσος Παναγίδης Σύµβουλος Μέλη και Αξιωµατούχοι του ∆ιοικητικού Συµβουλίου Γιαµάκης Νίνος, Ταµίας και Μέλη : ∆ρ. Γιάννης Κούστας, ∆ρ. Νικόλας Χατζηγιάννης, Γιώργος Τσαβλίρης, Αντώνης Μικελλίδης, Νίκος Χατζηιωάννου, Λούκας Χάµατσος, Μιχάλης Πισσούριος, Μάρκ Κληρίδης. Τις Εκλογές ακολούθησε συζήτηση που περιελάµβανε θέµατα όπως: η Πειρατεία, η επέκταση των ∆ιµερών Συµβάσεων για την αποφυγή ∆ιπλής Φορολογίας και, όπως πάντα, το Τουρκικό Εµπάργκο. Η Κυπριακή Ένωση Πλοιοκτητών σε στενή συνεργασία µε το Τµήµα Εµπορικής Ναυτιλίας, προώθησε τη δηµιουργία ενός νοµοθετικού πλαισίου, µέσα από το οποίο θα παρέχεται η δυνατότητα σε πλοία υπό Κυπριακή Σηµαία να χρησιµοποιούν τις υπηρεσίες ένοπλων φρουρών, όταν πλέουν σε περιοχές όπου υπάρχει έντονα το θέµα της Πειρατείας, όπως ο Ινδικός Ωκεανός. Ο σχετικός νόµος έχει εγκριθεί πρόσφατα από τη Βουλή των Αντιπροσώπων της Κύπρου. Όσον αφορά τις ∆ιµερείς Συµφωνίες, ο αναπληρωτής ∆ιευθυντής του Τµήµατος Εµπορικής Ναυτιλίας, Ανδρέας Χρυσοστόµου, πληροφόρησε τα Μέλη της Ένωσης ότι η Κυβέρνηση θα προχωρήσει σε διαπραγµατεύσεις της για υπογραφή διµερών συµβάσεων αποφυγής διπλής φορολογίας και ναυτιλιακού µνηµονίου µε την

(από αρ.) Πόλυς Β. Χατζηιωάννου, Γιώργος Μούσκας, Αναστάσιος ∆αυίδ και Ανδρέας Χατζηγιάννης

Αυστραλία, την Αργεντινή, την Ινδονησία και την Βραζιλία. Επιπρόσθετα, ο κ. Χρυσοστόµου τόνισε τις συνεχόµενες προσπάθειες της Κυβέρνησης για άρση του Τουρκικού Εµπάργκο ενάντια σε πλοία υπό Κυπριακή Σηµαία. Ο κ. Χρυσοστόµου τόνισε ότι το Εµπάργκο πλήττει την Ευρωπαϊκή ναυτιλία γενικότερα και όχι µόνο τα πλοία υπό Κυπριακή Σηµαία. Στο τέλος της Συνέλευσης ο Πρόεδρος, Γιώργος Μούσκας, οι δυο Αντιπρόεδροι, Ανδρέας Χατζηγιάννης και Πόλυς Βάσου Χατζιωάννου και οι τρεις σύµβουλοι της Εκτελεστικής Επιτροπής, Αναστάσιος ∆αυίδ, Χρίστος Χρυσάνθου και Τάσος Παναγίδης εξέφρασαν τις ευχαριστίες τους στα Ανώτερα Κυβερνητικά Στελέχη του Τµήµατος Εµπορικής Ναυτιλίας για τη στήριξη και συνεργασία τους. Κλείνοντας, εξέφρασαν τη βεβαιότητα πως η στενή συνεργασία που υπάρχει µεταξύ του ιδιωτικού και του κυβερνητικού τοµέα, θα έχει ως αποτέλεσµα την περαιτέρω ανάπτυξη της Κυπριακής Σηµαίας.

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 89

ΓΝΩΜΗ

Προοπτικές της ελληνικής οικονοµίας Του Παναγιώτη Ταµπουρέα

Η σύγκριση µεταξύ γεγονότων και καταστάσεων διαφόρων εποχών είναι ένα χρήσιµο εργαλείο ανάλυσης στο χώρο των επιστηµών. Στην οικονοµική επιστήµη, ο ρόλος αυτός είναι το αντικείµενο της οικονοµικής ιστορίας. Ιστορικοί της οικονοµικής επιστήµης ασχολούνται µε την εξέλιξη της οικονοµικής ζωής δηλαδή µε τις οικονοµικές θεωρίες που ανεπτύχθησαν κατά καιρούς, καθώς και µε την καταγραφή και ανάλυση των σηµαντικών γεγονότων και το πόσο αυτά επηρέασαν την πορεία της οικονοµικής ζωής του κόσµου. Πρόσφατα, δύο πανεπιστηµιακοί καθηγητές, ιστορικοί της οικονοµίας, ένας από το ∆ουβλίνο και ένας από το Μπέρκλεϊ της Καλιφόρνιας, επεξεργάστηκαν µαζί τα στοιχεία και τα δεδοµένα των δύο µεγάλων κρίσεων του 1929 και του 2008 και συνέταξαν µια αξιόλογη µελέτη, στοιχεία και συµπεράσµατα της οποίας παρουσιάζουµε. Η µελέτη επικεντρώθηκε στη συλλογή και επεξεργασία δεδοµένων που αφορούσαν τη πορεία βασικών οικονοµικών µεγεθών όπως η παγκόσµια παραγωγή, η παγκόσµια χρηµατιστηριακή αγορά, το παγκόσµιο εµπόριο και τα επιτόκια κεντρικών τραπεζών. Για κάθε ένα από αυτά τα µεγέθη, και για τις δύο κρίσεις, συντάχθηκε διάγραµµα µε την πορεία εξέλιξης τους ανά µήνα έτσι ώστε να γίνει εύκολα κατανοητή η σύγκριση. Από την οπτική παρατήρηση των διαγραµµάτων διαπιστώνεται ότι: Η συνολική µείωση της παραγωγής στην παρούσα κρίση είναι σαφώς µεγαλύτερη από αυτή του 1929. Στην ευρωζώνη υπάρχουν χώρες όπως η Γαλλία και Ιταλία που έχουν πολύ µεγαλύτερο ποσοστό µείωσης από ότι είχαν το 1929 ενώ Γερµανία και Αγγλία κινούνται στα ίδια επίπεδα µείωσης. Το ίδιο περίπου ισχύει για την Αµερική και τον Καναδά. Το διεθνές εµπόριο στην παρούσα κρίση θα µπορούσε να υποστηριχτεί ότι κατέρρευσε µέσα στον πρώτο χρόνο και η πτώση του πρώτου χρόνου ισοδυναµεί µε τα δύο πρώτα χρόνια της µεγάλης κρίσης του 1929, κάτι που οφείλεται κυρίως στην πτώση της ζήτησης. Παρά την πρόσφατη ανάκαµψη των χρηµατιστηριακών αγορών, η πτώση των µετοχών στην σηµερινή κρίση είναι πολύ µεγαλύτερη εκείνης του 1929. Το βασικό συµπέρασµα των δύο καθηγητών είναι ότι σήµερα βιώνουµε µια πιο εκτεταµένη κρίση από αυτή του 1929, όπου η επωνυµία της µεγάλης κρίσης της απεδόθη στην δραµατική µείωση στα πρώτα τρία χρόνια των βασικών οικονοµικών µεγεθών. Σήµερα είµαστε τυχεροί, γιατί ο αιώνας µας ανέδειξε δύο µεγάλους οικονοµολόγους τον Κeynes και τον Friedman, των οποίων η επιστηµονική γνώση µας εχει δώσει τα εργαλεία εκείνα που απαιτούνται για να αντιµετωπίσουµε την κρίση. Ειδικότερα, σύµφωνα µε τις υποδείξεις του Keynes, αµέσως µε την εµφάνιση της σηµερινής κρίσης, αυξήθηκε η προσφορά του χρήµατος σε πρωτόγνωρα επίπεδα, ενώ αυτή είχε καταρρεύσει στην µεγάλη κρίση του 1929. Τα επιτόκια από όλες τις κεντρικές τράπεζες έπεσαν περίπου στο µηδέν, πολιτική στην οποία συµπαρασύρθηκε και η Κεντρική Ευρωπαϊκή Τράπεζα 90 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

και τέλος, η δηµοσιονοµική πολιτική στην σηµερινή κρίση έδωσε κατά το κοινώς λεγόµενο τα ρέστα της. Για να συγκρίνουµε τις διαφορές, το 1929, ο µέσος όρος των ελλειµµάτων 24 χωρών ήταν κάτω από το 4% του εθνικού εισοδήµατός τους ενώ σήµερα, µόνο για τις ΗΠΑ, το έλλειµµα θα κινηθεί µεταξύ 12 και 14%. Η αύξηση αυτή των ελλειµµάτων, µαζί και µε άλλες παρενέργειες σε οικονοµικά µεγέθη, έχουν ήδη καταγραφεί ως συνέπειες των οικονοµικών κρίσεων από τους καθηγητές Reiman από το Μέριλαντ και Rogoff από το Χάρβαρντ. Σε ένα κλασικό άρθρο τους για τις χρηµατοοικονοµικές κρίσεις και τις επιπτώσεις τους στην οικονοµία, έχουν χαρτογραφήσει το πεδίο στο οποίο κινούνται οι οικονοµίες τόσο κατά τη διάρκεια των κρίσεων όσο και µετά. Στο άρθρο αυτό για 22 χώρες οι οποίες πέρασαν µέσα από µια χρηµατοοικονοµική κρίση κάποια χρονική περίοδο, επιχειρήθηκε ανάλυση του βάθους, της διάρκειάς τους και των επιπτώσεών τους σε ορισµένα βασικά µεγέθη προ και µετά την κρίση. Τα συµπεράσµατα στα οποία κατέληξαν είναι ενδιαφέροντα και συνοπτικά είναι τα εξής: • Οι οικονοµικές κρίσεις είναι µια συνήθης κατάσταση στην πορεία των οικονοµιών.

• Η πτώση στις αγορές κεφαλαιουχικών αγαθών είναι βαθιά και παρατεταµένη. Ειδικότερα, οι τιµές των κατοικιών υποχωρούν κατά µέσο όρο 35% σε περίοδο έξι ετών και οι αξίες των µετοχών υποχωρούν κατά 55% στα πρώτα τριάµισι χρόνια.

• Υπάρχει µεγάλη µείωση στο ακαθάριστο εθνικό προϊόν [ΑΕΠ] και αύξηση στην ανεργία. Η µέση υποχώρηση στο ΑΕΠ είναι της τάξης του 9% σε χρονική περίοδο δύο ετών, η δε ανεργία αυξάνεται επιπλέον κατά 7%.

• Η επίπτωση στα δηµόσια οικονοµικά είναι δραµατική, τα δηµόσια έσοδα λόγω των κακών συνθηκών µειώνονται, τα ελλείµµατα λόγω των µέτρων ενίσχυσης αυξάνονται και το επίπεδο του δηµόσιου χρέους µεγεθύνεται υπερβολικά. συνέχεια στη σελίδα 96

Στην πλώρη... * ∆ηλαδή τώρα πρέπει να λέµε ευχαριστώ που µας επέστρεψαν το Υπουργείο;

* Για δες πως τα φέρνει ο καιρός. Εκεί που µας χρωστούσανε µας πήραν και το βόδι.

* Να δούµε τώρα πως θα δουλέψει η µηχανή. ∆εν είναι εύκολο µετά από όσα υπέστη.

* Πονηρός ο Τουρκολιάς.

Σου λέει «στη ναυτιλία έχω µόνο φίλους,

γιατί να αποκτήσω και εχθρούς;».

* Ο Μουσουρούλης πάντως είναι ο δεύτερος Χιώτης που έρχεται στο υπουργείο το τελευταίο καιρό.

* Θα χρειαστεί πολύς καιρός για να κλείσουν τα

τραύµατα. Και είναι τραύµατα βαθιά τα άτιµα.

* Όταν κάποια στιγµή γίνει λογαριασµός και

µάθουµε πόσο κόστισαν οι τρέλες του Γιώργου,

τότε θα καταλάβουµε τα εγκλήµατα που διαπράχθηκαν σε βάρος του µοναδικού

* Προηγήθηκε η Χιώτισσα Ελπίδα Τσουρή, αλλά

προσοδοφόρου κλάδου της οικονοµίας.

έχασε και το Υπουργείο και την έδρα.

* Γι αυτό θα πρέπει να προσέχει ο υπουργός, δεν είναι γούρικο το Υπουργείο µας.

* Η στήλη πάντως έχει να το λέει. Ζητήσαµε

επανασύσταση του Υπουργείου και την έχουµε. Ζητήσαµε επιστροφή του λιµενικού στο

* ∆υστυχώς, όπως αποδείχθηκε µε την περίπτωση Βερνίκου, οι εφοπλιστές απαγορεύεται να αναµειχθούν µε την πολιτική.

* Ο απαράδεκτος νόµος Καστανίδη, δεν επιτρέπει σε ανθρώπους που εργάζονται χρόνια στον υγιή

ανταγωνισµό να προσφέρουν στη χώρα.

Υπουργείο µας και πραγµατοποιήθηκε.

* Για φανταστείτε. Πανηγυρίζουµε για τα αυτονόητα. ∆εν είναι αστείο;

* Κρίµα, γιατί ο Βερνίκος θα µπορούσε να

προσφέρει πολλά σ’ ένα χώρο που τον ξέρει όσο κανείς άλλος. Κρίµα... Ποντοπόρος

SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012 91

ΕΚΠΑΙ∆ΕΥΣΗ

Αzzure Yacht Training Academy Μια πρωτοβουλία του Οµίλου Λυριντζή και του Ιταλικού Νηογνώµονα RINA

Γιώργος Παρίσης

Σε συνέντευξή τoυ στο περιοδικό µας, ο Σύµβουλος σε θέµατα Yachting του QMS-Maritime Training Centre (www.kclgroup.gr), Γιώργος Παρίσης (Captain, MSc Marine Engineering Management, Greenwich University), αναφέρεται στις άµεσες προτεραιότητες της Αzzure Υacht Τraining Αcademy, στα τµήµατα που θα λειτουργήσουν, στην υποστήριξη και συνεχή επιµόρφωση των σπουδαστών και καθορίζει τους στόχους της νέας αυτής προσπάθειας

Ίδρυση Αzzure Yacht Τraining Αcademy Ποιοι οι πρωταρχικοί σας στόχοι για το 2012 στην Aκαδηµία; Επιγραµµατικά, η αποστολή µας είναι να δηµιουργήσουµε µια ακαδηµία η οποία θα βγάλει σπεσιαλίστες στα γιωτς. Oι άµεσες προτεραιότητες για τη φετινή χρονιά είναι να δείξουµε στους ενδιαφερόµενους, οι οποίοι δεν είναι µόνο τα πληρώµατα ανεξαρτήτου ειδικότητας αλλά και οι πλοιοκτήτες και οι managers, ότι αξίζει να επενδύσουν στη ευρέος φάσµατος εκπαίδευση και όχι µόνο στην εξειδίκευση. Σε αυτό το σηµείο θα πρέπει να σας τονίσω ότι όλα τα µαθήµατα της Ακαδηµίας έχουν σχεδιαστεί µε τέτοιο τρόπο ώστε να µπορούν να προσαρµοστούν σε οποιαδήποτε ειδικότητα.

∆ύο Κύκλοι Σπουδών Ο Βασικός Κύκλος Ο 1ος κύκλος είναι ο Βασικός Κύκλος σπουδών ο οποίος είναι διάρκειας µιας εβδοµάδας και περιέχει δέκα τίτλους µαθηµάτων σε περιληπτική µορφή. Ο Βασικός Κύκλος καλύπτει όλες τις αρχές management και επικοινωνίας µέσα σε ένα yacht. Συγκεκριµένα, περιλαµβάνονται τα εξής µαθήµατα τα οποία και είναι προσαρµοσµένα στις ανάγκες του σύγχρονου yachting: • Leadership Management • Yacht Risk Management • Yacht Captain Responsibilities and Activities • Yacht Maintenance (Deck – Engine ) • H.R Management • Yacht Logistics • Rules & Attitudes of Yachting • Food and Beverage Management • Intercultural Communication • Food Service in Special Events Ο Προχωρηµένος Κύκλος O 2ος κύκλος εµβαθύνει πολύ περισσότερο στο γνωστικό αντικείµενο του yachting και έχει πέντε πυρήνες οι οποίοι µπορούν να κάνουν τον σπουδαστή έναν σπεσιαλίστα του είδους. Κάθε πυρήνας διαρκεί µια εβδοµάδα (µε την εξαίρεση του τελευταίου) και καλύπτει την παρακάτω ύλη: 1ος Πυρήνας: Deck Yacht Management (1 εβδοµάδα) Leadership & Management, Bridge Resource Management/Refresh, 92 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

Safety/Security Training Modules, Yacht Handling w. Bridge Simulator, ECDIS, Risk Management, Theory of Maneuvering, Captain Responsibilities & Activities, Greek Coast & Anchorage 2ος Πυρήνας: Engine Yacht Management (1 εβδοµάδα) Yacht Engine Room Resource Management, Yacht Repairs & Dry Docking, Maintenance & Inventory, Quality Fuel Control, Sea Trials, Coatings, Law & Chartering 3ος Πυρήνας: Hotel/Interior Yacht Management (1 εβδοµάδα) Steward Training – Behavior & International Communication, Service Quality Management & Customer Care, Furniture-Fixtures-Fittings, Food & Beverages, Interior Detailing, Silver Service, Other Services, Floral, Bartending-Barista, English/French terminology, Verbal/Non Verbal Body Language 4ος Πυρήνας: General Yacht Management (1 εβδοµάδα) Crew Management, Project Management, MIS Information Systems, ISM/ISPS/SOLAS/MARPOL, Weather Criteria, Yacht Logistics, Green Yachting 5ος Πυρήνας: Signature Courses Speed boat/Jet Ski License, Life Guard training, CPR Certification, Helicopter pilot training, Yacht-engine type-specific certification, Bartending/Barista, Special Cooking/Flower, Valet Services – Overnight training trip onboard Yacht

Σύνδεση µε Εργοδότες Άλλη άµεση προτεραιότητα είναι η διασύνδεση µε τα καλύτερα πρακτορεία του κόσµου ώστε να προωθούνται οι σπουδαστές µας στα µεγαλύτερα και ποιο απαιτητικά σκάφη, παγκοσµίως. Για να υποβοηθήσουµε αυτήν την προσπάθεια σχεδιάζουµε τη συνεχή ενηµέρωση των σπουδαστών αλλά και µετεκπαιδευτικά προγράµµατα που θα παρέχονται σε αυτούς που θα έχουν φοίτησει στην Ακαδηµία.

∆ύο πρωτοποριακά προγράµµατα Φέτος θα αρχίσουν τη λειτουργία τους πρωτοποριακά προγράµµατα για τον χώρο του yachting στην Ελλάδα, όπως π.χ.

• Τµήµα πιλότων ελικόπτερων • Βασική Υποστήριξη Ζωής (CPR training) τα οποία ανήκουν στον 5ο Πυρήνα (Ειδικά Σχολεία) Επίσης θα λειτουργήσει το Azzure Team Tools, ένα team-building workshop, το οποίο θα γίνεται onboard µε συµµετοχή όλου του πληρώµατος. Πρόκειται για προγράµµατα εκπαίδευσης µε µαθήµατα επιλεγµένα από τους πλοιοκτήτες τα οποία θα γίνονται εντός των σκαφών µε όλο το πλήρωµα και µε πραγµατικά case studies. Αποστολή τους είναι η δηµιουργία οµαδικού πνεύµατος στο πλήρωµα, συστατικού απαραίτητου για την επιτυχία της αποστολής τους. Κεντρικός µας στόχος είναι, σε εύλογο χρονικό διάστηµα να ολοκληρωθεί η οικοδόµηση των σύγχρονων πληρωµάτων, που θα ξεχωρίζουν όχι γιατί θα κατέχουν την ναυτική εµπειρία, η οποία σε αξιόλογα σκάφη θεωρείται δεδοµένη, αλλά γιατί θα µπορούν να επαληθεύουν την εξίσωση, seaworthy Yacht + competent Crew = dream Cruise συνέχεια στη σελίδα 94

ΑΠΟΨΗ

Εµπορική Ναυτιλία – Σταθερή δύναµη του Γεώργιου Απ. ΒασόπουλουΑντιναύαρχος ΛΣ (εα) Επίτιµος Αρχηγός ΛΣ

Η ελληνική εµπορική ναυτιλία, πρώτη στην παγκόσµια κατάταξη αλλά και πρώτη πλουτοπαραγωγική πηγή της χώρας, βρίσκεται σήµερα για µια ακόµη φορά στο κέντρο του ενδιαφέροντος του ελληνικού και διεθνούς ναυτιλιακού τύπου και όχι µόνο.

Τα καλά νέα Σύµφωνα µε τα επίσηµα στατιστικά στοιχεία, ο ελληνόκτητος στόλος εξακολουθεί και για το 2011 να κατέχει την πρώτη θέση στην παγκόσµια κατάταξη, συνεχώς ανανεούµενος µε σηµαντικές νέες παραγγελίες. Οι πρόσοδοι στην εθνική οικονοµία από την Εµπορική Ναυτιλία, παρά την διεθνή οικονοµική ύφεση, ξεπέρασαν τα 14 δισ. Ευρώ, καλύπτοντας το µισό και πλέον του ελλείµµατος του εµπορικού ισοζυγίου. Η διεθνής ναυτιλιακή έκθεση «Ποσειδώνια», που άνοιξε τις πύλες της στις αρχές του Ιουνίου, µε περισσότερες από 1.800 συµµετοχές, ξανάφερε την Ελλάδα και την Εµπορική Ναυτιλία στο προσκήνιο του διεθνούς ενδιαφέροντος µε θετικό πρόσιµο. Τέλος, αλλά όχι και το λιγότερο σηµαντικό, η πρόσφατη επανασύσταση από την νέα κυβέρνηση του ενιαίου διοικητικού φορέα της Εµπορικής µας Ναυτιλίας (ΥΕΝ-ΛΣ), σηµατοδοτεί µια νέα εποχή, αποκαθιστώντας το ταραγµένο κλίµα που επικράτησε στο χώρο τελευταία.

Τα άσχηµα νέα Η Ελλάδα, σταθερή πρώτη ναυτιλιακή δύναµη στο κοινοτικό νηολόγιο, υποσκελίστηκε, για πρώτη φορά, από τη Μάλτα, αποτέλεσµα της σηµαντικής αύξησης του νηολογίου της αλλά και της µείωσης του ελληνικού νηολογίου, µείωση όχι άσχετη µε τον τραγέλαφο που επικράτησε την τελευταία τριετία στον διοικητικό φορέα της ναυτιλίας µε τη διάλυση-κατακερµατισµό του ΥΕΝ. Για τέταρτο χρόνο, η αστάθεια και αβεβαιότητα κυριαρχούν στη ναυλαγορά λόγω της παγκόσµιας ύφεσης αλλά και της πλεονάζουσας χωρητικότητας. Κατά τη διάρκεια της τελευταίας προεκλογικής περιόδου, αναπτύχθηκαν από ορισµένους χώρους απόψεις για την εµπορική ναυτιλία, οι οποίες εδράζονται περισσότερο σε στείρες ιδεοληψίες παρά στην ορθή εκτίµηση των οικονοµικών παραµέτρων του

χώρου (συνάλλαγµα, θέσεις εργασίας, χορηγίες, ασφάλεια της χώρας κ.λπ.). Ο υπερτονισµός των χαµηλών σε εκατοµµύρια φορολογικών εσόδων, όχι άσχετος από την ανταγωνιστικότητα του ελληνικού πλοίου στην διεθνή ναυλαγορά και η αποσιώπηση των πολλών δισεκατοµµυρίων πάσης φύσεως προσόδων στην εθνική οικονοµία από την εµπορική ναυτιλία, παραπέµπει σε άφρονες λογικές του µύθου του Αισώπου για την χρυσοτόκο όρνιθα, µε την οποία πολύ επιτυχώς προσοµοιάζεται η ναυτιλία µας. Με την επανασύσταση του Υπουργείου Εµπορικής Ναυτιλίας και την επανένταξη σε αυτό του Λιµενικού Σώµατος, επιτελικό και εκτελεστικό του βραχίονα επί 9 δεκαετίες και προς αποφυγή µελλοντικών ανάλογων καταστάσεων, θα πρέπει να σηµατοδοτηθεί µια νέα αντίληψη των ναυτιλιακών µας, συνοψιζόµενη στο ότι: Οι πάσης φύσεως µεταβολές και βελτιώσεις, να είναι αποτέλεσµα ενδελεχούς µελέτης και στη διαµόρφωσή τους βαρύνουσα γνώµη να έχουν οι φορείς της ναυτιλίας. Η ναυτιλιακή επιχείρηση αλλά και ιδιαίτερα το ποντοπόρο πλοίο, κύριος κορµός της Εµπορικής µας Ναυτιλίας, το οποίο κινείται στους ωκεανούς µεταξύ ουρανού και αβύσσου 24 ώρες το 24ωρο, 365 ηµέρες το χρόνο, διέπεται από ειδικές συνθήκες διαχείρισης και ασφάλειας κ.λ.π. και χρειάζεται τη στήριξη από ένα ενιαίο εθνικό κέντρο. Οι άνθρωποι του κέντρου (στελέχη ΛΣ) πρέπει να είναι αντίστοιχης 24ωρης διάθεσης, µε υψηλές ναυτιλιακές γνώσεις αλλά και ναυτικές εµπειρίες, προϊόν πολύπλοκης και επίπονης εκπαίδευσης-µετεκπαίδευσης. Όσοι επιχειρούν να παρακάµψουν την ανωτέρω διαδικασία, ανοικτή εξάλλου σε όλους, µε διάφορα ψευδεπίγραφα επιχειρήµατα εκτός της ελληνικής ναυτιλιακής πραγµατικότητας, µόνο ζηµιά κάνουν. Η καθιέρωση του θεσµού του µόνιµου Υφυπουργού ή Γεν. Γραµµατέα από την υπηρεσιακή ιεραρχία, θα εξασφάλιζε συνέχεια στα διοικητικά του σηµαντικότατου για την εθνική µας οικονοµία κλάδου της ναυτιλίας.

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Μια προσπάθεια µεγάλης αξίας του Ιστορικού Αρχείου ΟΛΠ

Εξεδόθη ήδη το πρώτο βιβλίο Το ΙΣΤΟΡΙΚΟ ΑΡΧΕΙΟ ΟΛΠ, το οποίο ιδρύθηκε εφέτος µε τη µορφή της αστικής µη κερδοσκοπικής εταιρίας, εξέδωσε ήδη το πρώτο του βιβλίο µε έγγραφα, χάρτες και φωτογραφίες µιας εκατονταετίας. Με τον τίτλο «Η ΕΞΕΛΙΞΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΙΜΕΝΟΣ ΠΕΙΡΑΙΩΣ ΚΑΤΑ ΤΟΝ 20ο ΑΙΩΝΑ», ο Γιώργος Ανωµερίτης συνέγραψε τα κείµενα, επεξεργάσθηκε το αρχειακό υλικό και επιµελήθηκε µια έκδοση, µέσα από την οποία διαχέεται η ιστορία του λιµανιού από το 1911 έως το 2011. Σε µια καλαίσθητη έκδοση, η οποία αφιερώνεται στους εργαζόµενους του ΟΛΠ, εµπεριέχεται σπάνιο υλικό τόσο από τη φάση της ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΕΙΑΣ ΛΙΜΕΝΟΣ (1911-1930), όσο και από τη φάση του ΟΛΠ (1930-2011), µέσα δηλαδή από τους δύο φορείς που λειτούργησαν το λιµάνι επί 100 χρόνια. Μια περίοδο, στην οποία το λιµάνι του Πειραιά µετασχηµατίσθηκε σε εθνικό λιµάνι και σε ένα από τα µεγαλύτερα του κόσµου. Όπως γράφει ο Γιώργος Ανωµερίτης, κλείνοντας το εισαγωγικό του σηµείωµα «µε αφορµή αυτό το βιβλίο, οφείλουµε όλοι, χωρίς αγκυλώσεις, να επαναδιατυπώσουµε την προοπτική του. Εξάλλου η Ιστορία, µε τις κατακτήσεις και τα λάθη των διαχειριστών της, αποτελεί τη σηµαντικότερη διδαχή προς το µέλλον».

συνέχεια από τη σελίδα 92

Υπάρχει σχέδιο για αξιοποίηση των δυνατοτήτων της χώρας µας στον θαλάσσιο τουρισµό; Πιστεύετε ότι αυτό το σχέδιο είναι επαρκές; Η σύγχρονη Ελλάδα έχει µια αναξιοποίητη προίκα. Σκεφτείτε! Πόσες χώρες έχουν στη διάθεσή τους αυτό το συνδυασµό ιστορίας, κλίµατος, µορφολογίας και θέσης (γεωγραφικής & οικονοµικής); Η χώρα µας εάν εκσυγχρονίσει τις υποδοµές της και τη νοµοθεσία της, µπορεί να γίνει η κορυφαία περιοχή για θαλάσσιο τουρισµό! Όχι, δεν υπερβάλω. Πόσες χώρες διαθέτουν τόσα γραφικά νησιά σε κλειστή και ασφαλή θάλασσα, τόσο πλούσια σε ιστορία, µε τέτοιο κλίµα, 2-3 ώρες πτήσης από την καρδιά µιας οικονοµικής υπερδύναµης, µε µορφωµένο ανθρώπινο δυναµικό; Στο παιχνίδι λοιπόν αυτό η χώρα µας ξεκινά µε µεγάλο συγκριτικό πλεονέκτηµα. Ελπίζουµε και ενεργούµε για να προσεγγίσει και η Πολιτεία το θέµα του Yachting µε συναίσθηση των δυνατοτήτων που υπάρχουν. Εµείς, από την πλευρά µας, θα συµβάλουµε στο κοµµάτι της καλύτερης προετοιµασίας του ανθρώπινου δυναµικού. Το πιο µεγάλο όπλο που µπορεί να έχει το ελληνικό yachting δεν είναι η ποιότητα των υπηρεσιών µεµονωµένα (π.χ. σε επίπεδο µανούβρας, ή σερβιρίσµατος κτλ), ούτε είναι το καινούργιο σκάφος. Πιστεύουµε ακράδαντα στην ολική εκπαίδευση: Εκπαίδευση των πληρωµάτων σαν µια οµάδα και ανεξαρτήτως ειδικότητας, στο ίδιο φάσµα γνώσεων, µε σκοπό τη δηµιουργία ενός αποδοτικού και αποτελεσµατικού team. Μια τέτοια οµάδα θα µπορεί να αντιµετωπίσει µε επιτυχία όλα τα σύγχρονα θέµατα και θα επιτρέψει στον επιβάτη, στον ιδιοκτήτη και στον manager να απολαµβάνουν στο µέγιστο την επένδυσή τους σε χρήµα και χρόνο.

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Το ΙΣΤΟΡΙΚΟ ΑΡΧΕΙΟ ΟΛΠ, πρόκειται εντός του έτους να στεγασθεί στην Πέτρινη Αποθήκη, η οποία έχει χωρικά ενταχθεί στην ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΑΚΤΗ ΠΕΙΡΑΙΑ και της οποίας η ανακαίνιση θα ολοκληρωθεί εξωτερικά εντός του καλοκαιριού. Το ΙΣΤΟΡΙΚΟ ΑΡΧΕΙΟ ΟΛΠ, το οποίο ιδρύθηκε από τον ΟΛΠ Α.Ε. και τα συνδικάτα του χώρου, έχει ήδη αρχίσει να συλλέγει τα υφιστάµενα αρχεία, µε ιδιαίτερη έµφαση: α) στα αρχεία της περιόδου 1922-1930 µετά δηλαδή την µικρασιατική καταστροφή και την εγκατάσταση των προσφύγων στο λιµάνι και β) τα σπάνια αρχεία της γερµανικής κατοχής, τα οποία βρέθηκαν στο σύνολό τους πεταµένα στις αποθήκες του ΟΛΠ στο Καστράκι. Μια προσπάθεια µεγάλης αξίας ξεκίνησε µε τους καλύτερους οιωνούς.

Ένα άλλο θέµα είναι το κόστος των διδάκτρων για έναν εργαζόµενο η έναν εργοδότη που αποφασίζει να επενδύσει πάνω στο πλήρωµα του ειδικά σε περίοδο κρίσης όπως αυτή που διανύουµε τώρα στη Ελλάδα. Είναι κατανοητό ότι όταν η χώρα αντιµετωπίζει οικονοµική κρίση πρέπει όλοι να συµβάλουµε, ώστε να λυθεί το πρόβληµα και αυτό το πήραµε σοβαρά υπόψη όταν διαµορφώσαµε την πολιτική µας για τα δίδακτρα. Από την άλλη, πρέπει να γίνει κατανοητό ότι δεν θα είναι λύση να µειωθούν οι προϋπολογισµοί σχετικά µε την εκπαίδευση σε τέτοιο βαθµό που να επηρεαστεί η θέση των πληρωµάτων έναντι του ανταγωνισµού αλλά και της εργασιακής τους απόδοσης. Θα πρέπει να µη ξεχνάµε ποτέ ότι από αυτή τη χώρα το yachting µπορεί να ‘παίξει’ στην παγκόσµια σκακιέρα, και όχι µόνο στην Ελληνική! Αυτά τα θέµατα είχαµε θέσει επί τάπητος σε συναντήσεις µε πλοιοκτήτες µε τους οποίους καταλήξαµε ότι οικονοµία δεν είναι να αλλάζουµε πληρώµατα στην πρώτη δυσκολία, ή αδυναµία, οικονοµία δεν είναι να εµπιστευόµαστε µια τόσο ευαίσθητη και σηµαντική επένδυση στα χέρια δυσαρεστηµένων, ή κακο-εκπαιδευµένων, πληρωµάτων. Οικονοµία είναι να επενδύσεις στη σύγχρονη εκπαίδευση όλου του πληρώµατος ώστε αυτό να σου προσφέρει εκτός από την ασφάλεια και αυτό το οποίο θα κάνει τον πελάτη/επιβάτη ενθουσιασµένο. Τότε η επένδυση στην εκπαίδευση θα επιστρέψει τα οφέλη στο πολλαπλάσιο. Εδώ ακριβώς βρίσκεται και το συγκριτικό πλεονέκτηµα της σωστής εκπαίδευσης.

ΕΙ∆ΗΣΕΙΣ

Συζητείται συνεργασία Ελλάδας-Τουρκίας για επενδύσεις στα λιµάνια κρουαζιέρας Με τον ∆/ντα Σύµβουλο της Global Investments, Saygin Narin, τον Γενικό ∆ιευθυντή της Ege Ports, Aziz Gungor και στελέχη της Global συναντήθηκε ο Πρόεδρος και ∆/νων Σύµβουλος του ΟΛΠ Α.Ε., Γιώργος Ανωµερίτης, για θέµατα που έχουν σχέση µε την ανάπτυξη και τις επενδύσεις των λιµένων κρουαζιέρας Ελλάδας και Τουρκίας. Σηµειώνεται, ότι η Ege Ports αποτελεί τη διαχειρίστρια εταιρία του Λιµένα του Κουσάντασι µε µετοχική συµµετοχή της Royal Caribbean και της Global Investments. Η ελληνική πλευρά (ο Πρόεδρος και ∆/νων Σύµβουλος, Γιώργος Ανωµερίτης, ο Γενικός ∆/ντής, Σταύρος Χατζάκος και ο Προϊστάµενος Στρατηγικού Σχεδιασµού, Αθ. Καρλής) παρουσίασε το επενδυτικό πρόγραµµα του Ο.Λ.Π. Α.Ε. (Ξενοδοχείο 5*, Θεµατικά Πάρκα, επέκταση και ανωδοµές λιµένος κρουαζιέρας) καθώς και τις ανάγκες και δυνατότητες συνεργασίας σε τοµείς της λιµενικής βιοµηχανίας. Και οι δύο πλευρές αποδέχθηκαν τη συνέχιση της συνεργασίας τους µε ανταλλαγή πληροφοριών και ενδιαφερόντων, οι οποίες θα µπορούσαν να λάβουν µορφές γενικότερων συνεργασιών µετά την ολοκλήρωση των µελετών για το εθνικό λιµενικό σύστηµα. Σηµειώνεται, ότι µε συµβάσεις παραχώρησης εκτε-

Οι κύριοι: Αθανάσιος Καρλής, Γιώργος Ανωµερίτης, Σταύρος Χατζάκος µε την τουρκική αντιπροσωπεία

λούνται ή βρίσκονται σε διαγωνιστική διαδικασία 4 έργα στο λιµάνι του Ο.Λ.Π. Α.Ε.

Ένωση Τραπεζικών και Χρηµατοοικονοµικών Στελεχών της Ελληνικής Ναυτιλίας

Ικανοποίηση για την επανασύσταση του Υπουργείου Ναυτιλίας & Αιγαίου Το διοικητικό Συµβούλιο της Ένωσης Τραπεζικών και Χρηµατοοικονοµικών Στελεχών της Ελληνικής Ναυτιλίας εκφράζει τη χαρά και την ικανοποίησή της για την επανασύσταση του Υπουργείου Ναυτιλίας και Αιγαίου. «Η θετική αυτή εξέλιξη λαµβάνει χώρα σε µια εποχή δύσκολη τόσο για την παγκόσµια ναυτιλιακή βιοµηχανία όσο και για την Ελληνική Οικονοµία», αναφέρει η Ένωση σε ανακοίνωσή της, και προσθέτει: «Η επικέντρωση του κυβερνητικού ενδιαφέροντος στον τοµέα ανάπτυξης της Ελληνικής Ναυτιλίας είναι επιβεβληµένη για τη συνέχιση και ενίσχυση της προσφοράς του κλάδου στην πατρίδα. Οι ολοένα αυξανόµενες ανταγωνιστικές τάσεις µε την αλµατώδη ανάπτυξη νέων στόλων, καθιστά επιβεβληµένη την προσοχή της κυβερνητικής πολιτικής στη δηµιουργία ανταγωνιστικού πλαισίου στήριξης των ναυτιλιακών και παραναυτιλιακών επιχειρήσεων, µε σκοπό τη διατήρηση της ηγεµονικής θέσης της Ελληνικής Ναυτιλίας στον παγκόσµιο χάρτη. Άποψή µας είναι ότι το νέο Υπουργείο Ναυτιλίας και Αιγαίου πρέπει να επικεντρωθεί µεταξύ άλλων στους παρακάτω τοµείς, προκειµένου να ανταποκριθεί τόσο στις απαιτήσεις της παγκόσµιας ναυτιλιακής αγοράς όσο και στην εσωτερική αγορά: • ∆ιατήρηση ανταγωνιστικού πλαισίου στήριξης των ναυτιλιακών και παραναυτιλιακών επιχειρήσεων µε σκοπό τη προάσπιση της ηγεµονικής θέσης της Ελληνικής Ναυτιλίας στον παγκόσµιο χάρτη, • Ενίσχυση της Ναυτιλιακής διπλωµατίας για την ασφαλή και περιβαλλοντική ανάπτυξη του παγκόσµιου στόλου,

• Ενίσχυση του Ελληνικού στόλου µε νέους ανθρώπους σωστά εκπαιδευµένους που θα ακολουθήσουν τόσο το ναυτικό όσο και το ναυτιλιακό επάγγελµα, • Προσέλκυση εγκατάστασης στο µεγαλύτερο πλοιοκτητικό κέντρο του κόσµου, τον Πειραιά, µεγάλων εταιρειών διαχείρισης και ανάπτυξης εµπορικών στόλων, • ∆ιατήρηση και ανάπτυξη της διεθνούς τραπεζικής ναυτιλιακής χρηµατοδότησης και πολιτική που να στρέφεται στην προσέλκυση νέων τραπεζικών οργανισµών από χώρες των µεγάλων αναδυόµενων αγορών, • Εξορθολογισµός και επαναχάραξη του ακτοπλοϊκού χάρτη της χώρας, • Ενίσχυση του Θαλάσσιου Τουρισµού και προσέλκυση µεγάλων εταιρειών του κλάδου κρουαζιέρας καθώς και • Ανάπτυξη των λιµενικών επενδύσεων - λειτουργιών και υποδοµών. Ως Ένωση εξειδικευµένου ανθρώπινου δυναµικού της χώρας, θα είµαστε αρωγοί και υποστηρικτές του επανασυσταθέντος Υπουργείου Ναυτιλίας και Θαλασσών καθώς επίσης και της νέας Ελληνικής Κυβέρνησης, στην προσπάθεια αφενός της αποφυγής κινδύνου κατάρρευσης της ελληνικής οικονοµίας και αφετέρου στην ανάπτυξη και ευηµερία της χώρας. Στην νέα ηγεσία του Υπουργείου ευχόµαστε καλή επιτυχία στο έργο της και υποσχόµαστε πλήρη συνεργασία µε σκοπό την επίτευξη του κοινού στόχου, που είναι η διατήρηση και ανάπτυξη του ηγετικού παγκοσµίως ρόλου της Ελληνικής Ναυτιλίας».

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ΟΛΠ: Σε ανοδική πορεία το ΣΕΜΠΟ Αύξηση 54,9% παρουσίασε η διακίνηση φορτίων στο Σταθµό Εµπορευµατοκιβωτίων του Ο.Λ.Π. Α.Ε. κατά το πρώτο 5άµηνο του 2012. Όπως προκύπτει από τα στοιχεία του ΣΕΜΠΟ, το 5µηνο Ιανουαρίου – Μαΐου 2012, διακινήθηκαν 293.874 ΤΕU’s έναντι 189.706 το αντίστοιχο περυσινό διάστηµα. Όπως τόνισε ο Πρόεδρος & ∆ιευθύνων Σύµβουλος του Ο.Λ.Π. Α.Ε., Γιώργος Ανωµερίτης: «παρά τη βαθειά κρίση στις µεταφορές φορτίων και τη µείωση των εισαγωγών-εξαγωγών στη χώρα, ο Σταθµός Εµπορευµατοκιβωτίων του Ο.Λ.Π. Α.Ε., ενισχυµένος µε νέα µηχανήµατα, γερανογέφυρες και λογισµικό, συνεχίζει την ανοδική του πορεία µετά την κρίση του διαχωρισµού των Προβλητών το 2009. Η στρατηγική της διοίκησης για µετατροπή του Ο.Λ.Π. Α.Ε. σε λιµάνι κόµβο (hub) διακίνησης in transit φορτίων δικαιώνεται και όχι µόνο στο ΣΕΜΠΟ. Την ίδια ανοδική πορεία ακολουθούν και το car–terminal και η κρουαζιέρα. Η αύξηση αυτή µαζί µε την επίσης αυξητική πορεία της ΣΕΠ Α.Ε. µετατρέπουν το Λιµάνι του Πειραιά σε βασικό κόµβο της Ευρώπης».

Νέο ∆ιοικητικό Συµβούλιο της ΕΕΝ∆

Μειωµένη η δύναµη του στόλου

Κατά τις αρχαιρεσίες της Ελληνικής Ένωσης Ναυτιλιακών ∆ικηγόρων, στις 28 Μαΐου 2012, εξελέγη για µία τριετία και στις 30.5.2012 συγκροτήθηκε σε σώµα το νέο ∆ιοικητικό Συµβούλιο της ΕΕΝ∆ µέλη του οποίου είναι οι:

Μείωση κατά 3,1% παρουσίασε η δύναµη του ελληνικού εµπορικού στόλου, για πλοία 100 ΚΟΧ και άνω, τον Απρίλιο του 2012 σε σύγκριση µε τον Απρίλιο του 2011, έναντι µείωσης 2,8%, που σηµειώθηκε κατά την αντίστοιχη σύγκριση του έτους 2011 προς το 2010. Όπως αναφέρουν στοιχεία της ΕΛ.ΣΤΑΤ. η ολική χωρητικότητα του ελληνικού εµπορικού στόλου, από πλοία 100 ΚΟΧ και άνω, αυξήθηκε σε ετήσια βάση τον Απρίλιο κατά 2,4%, έναντι αύξησης 1,6% που σηµειώθηκε κατά την αντίστοιχη περίοδο του έτους 2011 σε σύγκριση προς το 2010.

Τιµαγένης Γρηγόριος - Πρόεδρος, Ρεδιάδης ∆ευκαλίων - Αντιπρόεδρος, Ζησιµάτου Ορθοδοξία Γ. Γραµµατεύς, Μπαλταζάνης Νικόλαος – Ταµίας και Μέλη: Μαρκιανός-∆ανιόλος Ιωάννης, Σκορίνης Γεώργιος και Γερασίµου Νικόλαος

συνέχεια από τη σελίδα 90

Υπήρξαν χώρες, όπως η Φιλανδία και η Σουηδία, που από περίσσευµα 4% κατέληξαν µετά την κρίση του1991 σε έλλειµµα της τάξης του 14%. Το δε δηµόσιο χρέος, λόγω κυρίως της µείωσης των φορολογικών εσόδων και δευτερευόντως από το κόστος στήριξης των τραπεζών και της οικονοµίας αυξήθηκε κατά µέσο όρο 86% . Είναι ενδιαφέρον, τα συµπεράσµατα των δύο αυτών σηµαντικών µελετών να τα χρησιµοποιήσουµε για µία πρόβλεψη των εξελίξεων της Ελληνικής οικονοµίας. Λόγω του ότι η Ελλάδα ανήκει στην Ευρωζώνη, η νοµισµατική της πολιτική και εν µέρει και η δηµοσιονοµική υπαγορεύεται από την Ευρώπη, η οποία πρωτίστως ενδιαφέρεται για την εξυπηρέτηση των µεγάλων οικονοµιών και ως εκ τούτου ακολουθεί περιοριστική πολιτική µείωσης των ελλειµµάτων για τη διατήρηση της ανταγωνιστικότητάς τους και ελέγχου του πληθωρισµού. Στην παρούσα φάση αυτή η πολιτική φαίνεται ότι συρρικνώνει σηµαντικά την ελληνική οικονοµία και την οδηγεί σε µεγαλύτερη ύφεση, που σηµαίνει µικρότερο εισόδηµα, µεγαλύτερη φορολογία, µικρότερα φορολογητέα έσοδα, µεγαλύτερο έλλειµµα και αύξηση του δηµόσιου χρέους. Το σενάριο αυτό ενισχύεται και από τα ευρήµατα της δεύτερης έρευνας, τα οποία εάν τα προβάλουµε στα µεγέθη της ελληνικής οικονοµίας, τότε η εικόνα θα µας κόψει την ανάσα! Η αξία των ακινήτων θα υποχωρήσει σηµαντικά και εάν φτάσουµε το µέσο όρο των χωρών που πέρασαν από οικονοµικές κρίσεις η πτώση θα βρεθεί στο 35%. Το ίδιο ισχύει και για 96 SHIPPING JULY/AUGUST 2012

το χρηµατιστήριο του οποίου η πτώση θα είναι της τάξης του 55%, το έλλειµµα θα αναρριχηθεί περίπου στο 12 µε 13%, το χρέος στα 1.86Χ220=409 δισεκατοµµύρια ευρώ και η ανεργία στο 15%! Το σενάριο είναι τραγικό και ασυγχώρητο αµάρτηµα για τον πολιτικό και επιχειρηµατικό κόσµο της χώρας γιατί, επί τριάντα περίπου χρόνια, άφησαν το έλλειµµα να φθάσει στα ύψη αυτά και να µη µας επιτρέπει σήµερα να ασκήσουµε µέσω δανεισµού µια επιθετική πολιτική, η οποία θα διασφάλιζε την οµαλή έξοδο της χώρας από τη στενωπό της κρίσης. Λαµβάνοντας υπόψη την οικονοµική κατάσταση της χώρας και το πρόσθετο βάρος το οποίο επέβαλε η παρούσα κρίση, είναι πολύ δύσκολο να επεξεργαστεί κάποιος µια οικονοµική πολιτική, η οποία θα έβγαζε τη χώρα από το αδιέξοδο. Για παράδειγµα, µια αύξηση των φόρων θα κατέληγε σε µείωση των φορολογικών εσόδων (περίπτωση Ιαπωνίας), τα οποία µε τη σειρά τους θα κατέληγαν σε µείωση εισοδήµατος, σε αύξηση ελλειµµάτων και αύξηση δηµόσιου χρέους. Η αντίθετη πολιτική την οποία ακολουθούσε η χώρα µας µέχρι σήµερα, µας οδήγησε στο σηµερινό αδιέξοδο. Βρισκόµαστε στην κατάσταση που µε µια µικρή κουβέρτα προσπαθούµε να προστατευθούµε από το κρύο και όταν σκεπάζουµε το κεφάλι κρυώνουν τα πόδια. Αντίστροφα, όταν σκεπάζουµε τα πόδια, κρυώνει το κεφάλι! Η κατάσταση αυτή θα πρέπει να γίνει κατανοητή από όλο τον πολιτικό κόσµο και η επίλυσή της να γίνει όραµα για τον ελληνικό λαό, γιατί ό,τι έχουµε επιτύχει µέχρι τώρα κινδυνεύει να χαθεί.

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JULY/AUGUST 2012

SHIPPING

56th Year

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Period B No 487

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