The 22nd Posidonia exhibition will open its gates in June 2010 to welcome the international shipping community, at the Hellenikon Exhibition Centre (site of the former Athens Airport). Already the largest maritime nations and the most prestigious shipping organizations have confirmed their participation, with a reported 80+ countries and 20 national pavilions confirmed for the June 7-11, 2010 event.
##POSIDONIA 2010 Charts Global Shipping’s Recovery Route##
India and China have pledged their largest presence at Posidonia. According to the organisers of Posidonia the pace of growth of the two economies is estimated to continue unabated and their insatiable appetite for energy and commodity resources and strong export outlooks are likely to increase demand for seaborne trade curbing overcapacity concerns on certain trade lanes.
*“Every two years Posidonia is the barometre of global shipping trends reflecting the sector’s pace of growth and prevailing sentiments in boardrooms across key shipping markets worldwide,”* said Nana Michael, Managing Director, Posidonia Events S.A.
*“At Posidonia 2010, the world’s maritime community will examine the impact of the global financial meltdown on seaborne trade, ports, logistics and newbuildings,”* she said. *“With its first-ever National Pavilion India signals significant growth potential for the international shipping industry as the Sub Continent powerhouse’s economy continues to project handsome nine per cent growth rates for 2010,”* said Ms. Michael, who continued, *“And China, a traditional Posidonia heavyweight, will also surpass previous appearances by staging two national pavilions for the first time at Posidonia 2010.”*
The Asian domination of world shipbuilding’s fortunes will further be highlighted at Posidonia 2010 with the large-scale participation of Japan, Korea and Singapore and the stand alone presence of some of the region’s largest shipyards which continue to leverage the event as the best sales and branding opportunity for their services in the western hemisphere.
Bigger Posidonia national pavilions by traditional European maritime nations Holland, UK, France also signify optimism for world shipping as indeed does the larger confirmed participation of Denmark and Romania, the return of Norway with a national pavilion and the comeback of Sweden for its second consecutive Posidonia participation.
*“With over six months to go till the opening day in early June, applications and bookings for Posidonia come in fast and frequently,”* the Managing Director points out. *“We are seeing many new bookings in floor space from both the private and government sectors in the middle east with Oman Dry Dock Company and Sharjah and Hamriyah Free Zone Authority as examples. Another important feature of the exhibition is the strong participation from the lubricants sector, with Castrol Marine and Chevron Marine Products confirming big spaces.”*
Posidonia will again maintain a strong position in a weaker market, as has been the case during past economic crises that affected the shipping industry. Some 20,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the exhibition, breaking the previous record set in 2008. This number is likely to grow as the world is emerging from the recession with many of them expected to focus on three key growth areas, shipbuilding, ship equipment and service industries.
Organisers also expect to welcome more than 1,700 exhibitors from 80 countries.
Visitors and exhibitors will also benefit from the week-long Posidonia sports festival which this year will see the 5th anniversary edition of the Lloyds Register-sponsored Posidonia Sailing Cup, the 2nd Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament sponsored by Castrol Marine and the eagerly awaited inaugural Golfplay Tournament. The Golf Tournament, to take place at the Glyfada Golf Course, is a new event in the Posidonia programme, as it has been a long-standing request of both exhibitors and visitors of the exhibition.
Posidonia 2010 is sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping, the Municipality of Piraeus, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee, the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association, the Association of Greek Passenger Shipping Companies and the Union of Marine Enterprises.
##U.S. Commercial Service to Support U.S. Companies at Posidonia##
Last month, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service announced it had granted Trade Fair Certification status to the 22nd biennial Posidonia 2010 International Shipping Exhibition. The U.S. Pavilion at Posidonia will help small and medium sized U.S. exporters access the international maritime market. Trade Fair Certification assures Posidonia 2010 of U.S. Commercial Service support, both in the United States and in Greece.
Through certification, the U.S. Commercial Service recognizes the capability and exhibition experience of UBM International Media to organize a world class pavilion for U.S. exhibitors to showcase products and services for the shipping, maritime and port construction industries. The U.S. pavilion serves as an excellent venue for U.S. companies to establish and expand overseas distribution, generate sales leads, evaluate competitors, and to work with U.S. Commercial Service Trade Specialists to identify potential buyers and partners.
The Trade Fair Certification Program is a cooperative arrangement between private sector trade show organizers and the U.S. Government. The program seeks to broaden the base of U.S. exporters by introducing them to key trade fairs where they can meet their export objectives.