Having broken all previous records in terms of exhibition space, number of exhibitors and visitors, Posidonia 2024 was also the place where the maritime world came together once again to finalise and confirm highly lucrative new business deals or announce previously signed contracts. One such occasion was the showstopper announcement of Navig8’s tanker fleet and pool business being taken over by ADNOC L&S in a reported $1.5bn deal that was made public during Posidonia 2024.

Theodore Vokos, Managing Director of Posidonia Exhibitions S.A., said: “It is humbling to witness such a strong response to Posidonia 2024 by the global shipping and maritime community. Every sector of the marine economy and all shipping associations gathered once again in high volumes and high spirits to showcase innovations, network, do business, discuss, and debate the future of the industry. From shipyards to shipowners, ship registries to ship chandlers, classification societies, propulsion system manufacturers, energy providers, software developers, trading, brokerage, legal, consultancy, and financing firms, everyone was here again for two weeks to work and play in true Posidonia fashion.”

Exhibitor comments came flooding in soon after the gates at the Athens Metropolitan Expo closed behind the last remaining participants of Posidonia 2024. A total of 32,527 visitors from 130 countries and territories attended the event, an increase of 12% compared to Posidonia 2022. Many of them were full of praise for the organisation of the event, the quality of visitors, and the networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities it offered.

A total of 81 countries and territories from around the world exhibited with the majority coming from Europe and Asia, but this time there was also an increased participation from the Americas.

Alessandro Segabinazzi, Head of Commercial Sector, Embassy of Brazil in Athens said: “Brazil was represented at Posidonia 2024 by the Brazilian Association of Ship Suppliers and Services (ABFN) with 16 of its 33 members participating in the fair. Posidonia allowed ABFN-associated companies to exhibit their expertise to a highly qualified international audience, broadening business prospects, fostering new partnerships, and solidifying commercial ties with strategic global entities. Moreover, it enabled Brazilian participants to stay updated on the latest industry trends, innovations, and challenges, crucial for maintaining competitiveness in this dynamic sector. Events like Posidonia play a pivotal role in fostering international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the formation of enduring partnerships that drive the industry's growth and innovation.”

Nineteen thousand kilometres away from Brazil, the Micronesian archipelago of Palau was also present in Posidonia 2024. Panos Kirnidis, CEO of Palau International Ship Registry, said: “Our participation in Posidonia offers a significant opportunity for us to engage with ship owners, managers, operators, and other stakeholders in the maritime sector. Face-to-face interactions remain unparalleled, allowing us to demonstrate our understanding of the paramount importance of addressing today's challenges for the maritime sector. In 2024, we re-emphasised our commitment to connecting with ship owners actively seeking easy-to-use, efficient, and customer satisfaction-focused seafaring and ship registration services from PISR.”

Other exhibitors from Europe, the UK and Greece were similarly full of praise for Posidonia 2024.

Georgios Hatzimanolis, Head of Communications, Brand & Events at Kpler, said: "Posidonia 2024 was a resounding success for Greece and the Greek shipping industry, as echoed by many attendees. For the Kpler team, it was a highly positive experience as we showcased our leading platforms, Kpler and MarineTraffic. The high traffic to our booth and the event's overall vibrant atmosphere were remarkable. Kudos to the event organisers for their outstanding efforts."

Nick Brown, Corporate Affairs Director, Marine & Offshore at Bureau Veritas, said: “Posidonia 2024 was a great show and an amazing week. We had so many opportunities to discuss the future of ship safety, performance, and the importance of supply and value chains. The future of shipping is about more than ships! And as always, there were so many good events – and too little time. Congratulations and many thanks to Theodore Vokos and his team - they were simply everywhere. Time now to start thinking ahead to Posidonia 2026.”

Elias J. Makris, Director EU Business Development at Weathernews, said: "After 13 Posidonia that I have attended, that was the most beneficial and successful one. It was greatly organised, and I hope that Posidonia 2026 will be even better".

Eleni Anagnostopoulou, Deputy Director, Global Maritime Consultants Group, said: “The networking opportunities at Posidonia were invaluable. The diverse range of exhibitors and attendees provided a comprehensive view of the maritime industry's current and future landscape, equipping us with the knowledge to make informed decisions and maintain our leadership position. Engaging with this group of professionals allowed us to exchange ideas and best practices, which are essential for driving innovation and excellence in our services. By listening to various industry players' experiences and perspectives, we can tailor our solutions to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the maritime sector. Posidonia allows us all to come together to push the maritime industry forward.”

Posidonia 2024 was organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and the Union of Greek Shipowners and with the support of the Municipality of Piraeus and the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee.

Maritime Business World