A very warm welcome by Nicolas Bornozis (pictured above), Capital Link’s president, setting the scene for this 16th Capital Link Forum on Shipping and Marine Services in the British capital’s BMA House, which virtually “opens” the new Shipping year following the summer break.
Due to traveling, we missed the event, but Filleria Zymaris (pictured above), attended same on behalf of www.allaboutshipping.co.uk; here is her brief account:
Emanuele (Manu) Ravano, moderator of the first panel (pictured above with Nicolas Bornozis on the right) took the podium and introduced the Panelists (Emanuele d’Amico, Director – d’Amico Dry, John Su, President & CEO – Erasmus Shipinvest Group, Ted Petrone, Vice Chairman – Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (NYSE:NMM), Simos Spyrou, Co-CFO at Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: SBLK)) in order to discuss about the Dry Bulk market and specifically the prediction and trends of the Dry Market including all the parameters which will influence the market negatively. Additionally, they covered the new buildings sector which within the last two decades and how same has been increased.
Afterwards, the Container market panel took its seats with Clemens Toepfer, Managing Director from Toepfer Transport GbmH moderating same. Panelists included Dimitris Dalakouras, CEO – Conbulk Shipmanagement Corporation, Dr. Tasos Aslidis, CFO & Treasurer from Euroseas Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESEA) & EuroDry Ltd. (NASDAQ: EDRY), Torben Kölln, Managing Director at Leonhardt & Blumberg and Constantin Baack, CEO – MPC at Container Ships ASA (NO: MPCC).
In particular, the moderator and the panelists addressed the issue of the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the precautions they took and will take further to protect their crews. Regarding the new buildings sector, they mentioned that the delivery time has been improved which has reflected the stock prices.
The next topic reflected the Gas-LNG industry, specifically the growth of the industry over the last years, focusing on the European market. Moreover, based on the engineering / technical department issues, the panelists focused on the utilisation of older close-to-end-of-life-span vessels by bringing more “power” to the market.
The next presentation, being the keynote speech, was delivered by Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO of ABS – the lead sponsor of the event, which was based on the safety on board and aid of AI. More specifically, he spoke regarding the importance of AI in the safety on board in tackling functional requirements and supporting the classification. Additionally, he presented a model of a class regulation based on the AI conditions.
The next panelists and moderator focused on the shipping finance and particularly the general trends such as Covid, geopolitical conflicts and climate change. It also addressed the market inefficiencies including the risks that might take place. They also mention how the cycles of funding work in the current market environment and how they add value to the project.
Moderator: Diana Syziu, Partner, Corporate & Ship Finance – Hill Dickinson LLP, Panelists: Anastassia Tcherneva, Global Head of Shipping – ABN AMRO, Chris Conway, Managing Director, Global Head of Shipping & Logistics Export Agency Finance –Citi, Martin Hugger, Managing Director – Meerbaum Capital Solutions Inc., Harris Antoniou, Founder & Managing Director – Neptune Maritime Leasing).
Another topic was focusing on the Blue Economy. More specifically the panelists divided same in categories which are Technology, Energy Efficiency as well as Accounting Challenges and Fuel. The moderator and the panelists enhanced their speech on the green solutions regulations that EU has applied. Thus, they introduced the importance of collaboration and cooperation in this more than competitive industry.
The Moderator was Ms. Kate Silverstein, Partner, Assets & Structured Finance Group – Watson Farley & Williams; Panelists included : John McDonald, President & COO – ABS, John C. Lycouris, Head of Energy Transition, Director – Dorian LPG (NYSE: LPG), Constantinos Capetanakis, Bunker Director – Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: SBLK); Chair – IBIA, and Ms. Friederike Hesse, Co-Founder &Managing Director – zero44.
After the networking lunch, the part of the event which no one missed was the presentation by Dr. Martin Stopford. More specifically, the title of his presentation was “Navigating Supercycle”. In particular, he presented the technical meaning of the “supercycle” and how this impacts the market.
We shall revert soon with a full account, adding a few more panels and comments. Well done Capital Link, well done Nicolas and Olga Bornozis and your team!
