Posidonia 2024 Venue Bustling with High Exhibitor Demand

John C. Lyras, member of BoD , Union of Greek Shipowners; Dimitris Karydis, Deputy Mayor for Planning & Sustainable Development, Municipality of Piraeus; Dr. George Pateras, President, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping; Ioannis Pappas, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy; Theodore Vokos, Managing Director, Posidonia Exhibitions SA; John Marangoudakis, President, Hellenic Offshore Racing Club; Charalampos Simantonis, President, Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association; and Haralambos Fafalios, President, Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee (London).

The largest shipping exhibition in the world kicks off on Monday, June 3, at the Athens Metropolitan Expo Center, drawing over 40,000 maritime professionals from across the globe.

Posidonia 2024 marks the event’s largest edition in its six-decade history, with the organizer confirming 2,030 exhibitors from 82 countries.

According to the event’s organizer Posidonia Exhibitions SA, exhibitors will showcase their offerings both indoors on the expansive exhibition floor and in outdoor areas of the venue to meet the overwhelming demand.

Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, Posidonia Exhibitions SA Managing Director Theodore Vokos said Posidonia 2024 will be larger in scale than ever before in the event’s history.

“Our needs have well exceeded the exhibition space, and it is now imperative to build additional exhibition halls. To accommodate exhibitors this year, we have also proceeded with outdoor booths,” Vokos said.

Posidonia Exhibitions SA Managing Director Theodore Vokos.

As a result, the revenue generated for the national economy from Posidonia 2024 is expected to exceed 80 million euros, both due to the increased number of exhibitors and visitors, and because of the extended duration, further highlighting the significant contribution of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) sector to tourism revenues.

“Both geopolitical turmoil in many parts of the world and the need for decarbonisation, along with corresponding environmental regulations, create a mix of challenges that the Greek shipping industry is called upon to address. This year’s increased participation in Posidonia reflects the industry’s need to come together, discuss new developments, and find ways to tackle the new environmental regulations head-on,” added Vokos.

This year’s Posidonia reflects the dynamism of Greek shipping, which has entered a continuous development trajectory aimed at the qualitative and technological upgrading of its vessels, as well as diversification of its overall product.

Of the 96 new or returning exhibitors, who have come back after a long absence, 25 are from Greece, demonstrating that the country has an inexhaustible source of equipment manufacturers and service providers for the shipping industry.

Furthermore, from international participation, significant entries come from the United Arab Emirates with ten companies and India with eight companies. In addition, this year’s Posidonia hosts 23 national pavilions. The most significant increase was recorded by China, which, after the pandemic, returned stronger, with 180 companies, marking an almost 50 percent increase in participation. Following closely is Turkey, with a 10 percent increase.

The global nature of the exhibition is reflected this year in the largest participation of national registries ever recorded at the event. In total, 16 national flags are represented including Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Bahamas, Cyprus, Malta, Beliz, and Palau, as well as newcomers like the British Virgin Islands, Guinea-Bissau, San Marino, Sierra Leone, Barbados, St. Kitts & Nevis.

The Posidonia Conference and Seminar programme has significantly expanded this year, featuring over 68 events organised by entities from 16 countries. Consequently, and in synergy with pre-show sailing, soccer, basketball, golf, and running events, Posidonia 2024 will extend over a two-week period to accommodate the multitude of activities and conferences leading up to the main event.

Participation at the Posidonia Games, the sporting events which take place the weekend before Posidonia, has skyrocketed and some 4,000 shipping professionals are expected to compete for the coveted Posidonia sailing, golf, soccer, basketball and running trophies.

Posidonia is the first exhibition in Greece to receive ISO certification as a sustainable event, underscoring the organisers’ commitment to minimising environmental impact and maximising economic benefits for the local economy and businesses.

Posidonia 2024 is 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.