02/06/2026
POSIDONIA 2026 CAPITAL LINK MARITIME LEADERS SUMMIT
Navigating the Geopolitical Instability, Digital Frontiers, and Financial Evolution
The global maritime industry stands at a critical historical crossroads, buffeted by relentless geopolitical shifts, accelerating digital revolutions, and groundbreaking structural changes in the capital markets. Against the vibrant backdrop of Posidonia 2026, the Capital Link Maritime Leaders Summit gathered the world’s foremost shipowners, regulators, and industry executives in Athens to debate the future of global trade.
Opening remarks by Mr. George M. Teriakidis of DNV and Mr. Nicolas Bornozis of Capital Link, alongside a keynote address from Minister Vasilis Kikilias, the Hellenic Republic's Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, set a tone of realistic optimism. The consensus throughout the day was clear: while "black swan" disruptions have effectively become the operational norm, shipping’s traditional resilience, paired with disciplined adaptation, remains unassailable.
Managing the Volatility in the Tanker Market
The tanker sector opened the summit's panel discussions with a deep dive into trade realignment and energy shifts. Moderated by Mr. Keith Billotti of Seward & Kissel LLP, the panel exposed a fascinating divergence in investment mentalities among leading operators.
Mr. Antonis Kanellakis, Executive Director of Alpha Bulkers, Pantheon Tankers, and Alpha Gas, positioned his company firmly as an aggressive buyer of newbuildings. He emphasized that investing in newbuilt vessels across Aframax and MR tankers, as well as LNG and LPG carriers, is the most direct path to integrating vanguard maritime technologies. Conversely, Mr. Yiannis Procopiou, CEO of Centrofin Management, expressed a more guarded strategy focused on fleet renewal, noting that corporate strategies must be driven by geopolitical realities. In the long term, Centrofin is hedging through time charters to prepare for an eventual market downturn, though Mr. Procopiou maintains a bullish outlook for the immediate two years ahead.
This cautious sentiment was echoed by Mr. Svein Moxnes Harfjeld, President and CEO of DHT Holdings, who advocated for a strict "wait and see" investment policy. In Harfjeld’s view, the extreme volatility of the current market renders newbuilding investments highly risky. Mr. Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO of Capital Tankers Corp., pointed out that while vessel supply remains highly manageable, the ultimate direction of the market hinges on whether global energy security priorities will continue to prevail over standard trading patterns. Summing up the defensive yet resilient nature of the sector, Mr. Pankaj Khanna, CEO of Heidmar Maritime Holdings, concluded that his corporate playbook is built entirely on planning for the worst-case scenario while remaining positioned to hope for the best.
Dry Bulk Corporate Strategies and Artificial Intelligence
The dry bulk panel, guided by Ms. Foteini Mega of EY Greece, shifted the focus to regulatory pressures, cargo demand, and the inevitable rise of technological integration.
Mr. Costas Delaportas, CEO of DryDel Shipping, emphasized that meticulous timing is the defining factor of modern shipping cycles. Driven by upcoming environmental regulations, DryDel is actively investing in newbuildings, confident that the market remains inherently cargo-driven. Delaportas noted that charterers are increasingly willing to pay a premium for eco-efficient ships, and that global raw material restocking will sustain profitable freight rates.
The discussion quickly turned to the broader macro-environment and technology. Mr. Polys Hajioannou, CEO of Safe Bulkers, warned that while a substantial wave of tonnage supply is set to hit the global market over the next two years, the dry cargo market should remain on an upward trajectory for the next at least six months. Hajioannou also made a strong geopolitical observation, noting that Europe is finally beginning to realize that shipping is absolutely vital for its own energy and supply chain autonomy. On technology, he urged caution, stating that artificial intelligence should be relegated to documentary and administrative work rather than critical executive decisions.
Ms. Semiramis Paliou, CEO of Diana Shipping and Chairperson of HELMEPA & INTERMEPA, countered with a broader view of technology, identifying artificial intelligence as the true "elephant in the room." Paliou urged the industry to initiate an immediate, transparent dialogue regarding how AI will reshape the future of shipping operations, while highlighting how recent weather disruptions like El Niño have structurally altered tonne-mile calculations.
Optimism regarding global infrastructure spending united the remaining panelists. Mr. Stamatis Tsantanis, Chairman and CEO of Seanergy Maritime and United Maritime Corporation, stated that global cargo volumes remain robust, driven in part by massive infrastructure investments like international data centers. Expecting a highly sustainable shipping market for the next two to three years, Tsantanis looks forward to significant, positive structural changes.
Mr. John Dragnis, CEO of Goldenport Group, firmly agreed, expressing confidence that the freight market will remain healthy and strong for the next few years on the back of this ongoing global infrastructure expansion.
The Euronext Athens Transformation
One of the most groundbreaking sessions of the summit centered on a 1x1 discussion between Mr. Mathieu Caron of Euronext and Mr. Yianos Kontopoulos, CEO of Euronext Athens. The duo detailed a massive structural evolution, the finalized November 2025 acquisition of the Athens Stock Exchange (ATHEX) by Euronext.
By securing 74.25% of ATHEX’s voting rights and migrating its trading operations to the state-of-the-art Optiq® platform, Euronext has effectively integrated Greece into a powerful federal European market model alongside Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, and Oslo. This provides Greek listed companies with direct, frictionless exposure to a massive pool of international European institutional capital, transforming Athens into the premier financial gateway for Southeastern Europe.
The definitive proof of this new financial ecosystem came to life with the announcement of Safe Bulkers’ historic dual listing. Led by Polys Hajioannou, the dry bulk giant established a dual listing on the Main Market of Euronext Athens alongside its long-term listing on the New York Stock Exchange, with trading commencing on June 2, 2026. This represents the first time a major NYSE-listed Greek shipowner has dual-listed its core common stock on the Athens bourse—a move heralded as an absolute game-changer for maritime finance.
Furthermore, the discussion highlighted that shipping corporate bonds on ATHEX have officially hit an aggregate $1 billion milestone. Heavily oversubscribed issuances by marquee players like Costamare, Safe Bulkers, and Capital Clean Energy Carriers (which raised €250 million in February 2026 alone) prove that local retail and institutional appetite is fiercely robust. As the Athens stock market tracks toward an official upgrade back to "developed market" status, this intersection of local capital and Euronext’s European distribution network is successfully building a legitimate, parallel maritime financial cluster right in Greece.
Supply Chain Security, Geopolitics, and Class Innovation
In a poignant keynote dialogue, Mr. Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, Group President and CEO of DNV, sat down with Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Their conversation tackled the complex realities of driving shipping’s decarbonization framework forward while dealing with immediate crises, including the threat of the environmentally hazardous "dark fleet" and the tragic reality of seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and other active conflict zones.
Earlier, Mr. John McDonald, Chairman and CEO of ABS, highlighted how class societies are stepping up, pointing to the newly established ABS innovation exchange center in Athens as a hub designed to help shipping companies practically manage geopolitical risk and turn new technologies into safety advantages.
The broader geopolitical reality was dissected in a panel moderated by Ms. Han Deng of Reed Smith LLP. Mr. Aristides J. Pittas, Chairman and CEO of Euroseas and EuroDry, stated that the most severe macroeconomic risk currently facing the industry is the threat of global recession striking while the economy is actively deglobalizing. Pointing to an aging global feeder container fleet, Pittas explained that Euroseas is actively ordering new vessels to replace older tonnage. He noted that while the closure of key maritime straits has forced the world to recognize shipping's foundational importance, global regulators must ensure that future environmental rules are realistic and implemented gradually.
Mr. George Youroukos, Executive Chairman of Global Ship Lease, provided a stark warning against excessive vessel ordering, asserting that over-ordering threatens to damage the delicate supply-demand balance, particularly since older ships are not exiting the market quickly enough. Youroukos explained that Global Ship Lease actively combats market abnormalities by focusing on highly specialized vessel types that liner companies cannot easily source elsewhere, ensuring their fleet maintains a competitive edge.
Addressing operational support, Mr. Andy McKeran, Chief Growth Officer of Lloyd’s Register, and Mr. René Kofod-Olsen, Group CEO of V.Group, both emphasized that technology must serve human capital. McKeran highlighted the looming shortage of skilled seafarers, explaining that Lloyd’s Register is investing heavily in predictive operations, AI-driven learning platforms, and goal-based risk assessments to help clients navigate regional regulatory complexities. Kofod-Olsen emphasized that corporate scale is mandatory to increase resilience, explaining how V.Group utilizes machine learning to develop operational efficiencies that directly support crew members and owners in coping with erratic global circumstances.
Green Shipping and the Pragmatic Path to Net Zero
The Green Shipping Debate, moderated by Mr. Paolo Moretti of RINA Services, brought regulatory ideals face-to-face with commercial reality. Ms. Dorothea Ioannou, CEO of the American P&I Club, shed light on the daunting legal and insurance challenges associated with underwriting risks for unproven alternative fuels like ammonia and nuclear power. Mr. Andreas Hadjipetrou, CEO of the Columbia Group, shifted the focus to human management, sharing how ship managers are currently utilizing AI to optimize seafarer training and actively assess crew mental health in high-stress environments.
The regulatory critique was led directly by shipowners. Mr. Polys Hajioannou argued candidly that recent geopolitical crises have naturally forced a postponement of pure environmental idealism. He insisted that the IMO and the European Union must become deeply pragmatic, demanding that carbon taxes levied on marine fuels be directly recycled into subsidies to fund the actual development of alternative energy infrastructure.
Optimism remained, however, as Mr. Alex Hadjipateras, COO of Dorian LPG, expressed confidence that the upcoming net-zero framework introduced by the IMO will ultimately prove to be both realistic and commercially effective. Ms. Ioanna Procopiou, Managing Director of Prominence Maritime and President Designate of BIMCO, closed the session with a call for data-driven regulation. Procopiou argued that the IMO must make highly educated decisions that prioritize scalable, safe, and holistic carbon-reduction methods that make undeniable economic sense for shipowners.
The Macro-Perspective
A major shipowner panel, moderated by Ms. Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria of DNV, offered sweeping macro-perspectives on the industry's ultimate trajectory. Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC Logistics & Services, noted that shifting tonne-mile dynamics have fundamentally altered global trade routes, forcing companies to secure long-term fixed contracts to balance their geopolitical exposure—a structural shift that he views as ultimately positive for shipping profitability.
Dr. John Coustas, Chairman and CEO of Danaos Corporation, urged the industry to prepare for a permanent transition to a multipolar world. While he believes the conflict with Russia will eventually resolve and return pipeline infrastructure to operation, he expressed serious concern regarding the massive size of current container ship orderbooks and their long-term profitability. Coustas views AI as a powerful tool to increase shipbuilding productivity and logistics planning, but warned against an asset bubble if energy market disruptions artificially sustain current freight rates indefinitely.
Dr. Anil Sharma, Founder and CEO of GMS & Lila Global, stood up for environmental asset management, stressing the critical necessity of dismantling the dark fleet and aggressively recycling old tonnage through safe, green ship recycling yards.
Providing a highly cautious counter-perspective, Mr. Harry Vafias, Founder of StealthGas, Imperial Petroleum, and C3iS, noted that predicting the market is nearly impossible with active wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Vafias warned that once global disruptions cease, charterers will aggressively try to claw back financial advantages. He expressed deep concern over the convoluted web of international sanctions, noting that it has become incredibly difficult for shipowners to verify if a business opportunity is completely clear and legal.
Closing the panel, Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, Founder and CEO of TEN Ltd., characterized the 2020s as a historic period of unmatched disruption, beginning with the pandemic roller coaster. He argued that these severe conditions keep the industry sharp. Commenting on the digital wave, Tsakos famously noted that while shipping represents the largest man-made structures on Earth, and though AI will massively optimize efficiency, it can never replace the core human element. This sentiment was strongly backed by prominent owner Mr. George Economou, Founder of TMS Group, who reiterated that despite shipping's rapid adoption of advanced systems, it remains fundamentally a relationship-driven, human-element business.
The Next Generation: Bridging Legacy and Transformation
The summit appropriately closed with a look toward the future, featuring a panel of young entrepreneurs entitled "Bridging Legacy, Leadership & Transformation." Moderated by Ms. Paillette Palaiologou of Bureau Veritas, the discussion proved that the next generation of Greek maritime leaders is fully prepared to handle the industry's shifting tides.
Ms. Marielena Procopiou, Founder and CEO of Delos Navigation and Akrotiri Tankers, opened by highlighting that while technology is fundamental for driving transparency and superior decision-making, AI systems must always be anchored by human oversight. Ms. Amalia Miliou-Theocharaki, Deputy Managing Director of TEO Shipping Corporation, focused on operational flexibility. She explained that embedding a modern corporate vision while eliminating micromanagement optimizes chartering models, allowing companies to adapt to regulatory complexities and structural volatility. Miliou-Theocharaki emphasized that future success lies in inheriting innovative digital tools and combining them with traditional shipping values and raw passion.
Mr. Diamantis Pateras, Deputy CFO of Contships Management Inc., detailed a highly disciplined financial approach to the family business. In a volatile market, Pateras explained that Contships prioritizes a risk-adverse approach focused on capital preservation rather than aggressive, speculative investment strategies—a philosophy he termed "disciplined flexibility." He also identified the shortage of competent seafarers as a premier hurdle, noting that younger generations have significantly higher professional expectations within what is an inherently demanding sector. For Pateras, the mandate for the next generation is to build institutional resilience and rapid organizational adaptation.
Finally, Ms. Eirini Pitta, Investor Relations Officer for Euroseas and EuroDry, shed light on the evolving relationship with corporate capital. Pitta explained that managing institutional investors requires aligning diverse perspectives and maintaining absolute transparency, which her companies view not as a burden, but as welcoming fund investors into an "extensive family." While acknowledging that digitalization across technical operations has increased exponentially, Pitta concluded that human interaction can never be replaced. Instead, she urged the industry to confront seafaring labor shortages by aggressively upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce to meet the technological demands of tomorrow.
Strategy, Scale, and the Public Debate
A fireside chat on "Strategy, Scale, and Shipping Cycles" brought together long-time friends and titanic industry figures Mr. Petros Pappas, CEO of Star Bulk Carriers, and Mr. George Economou. Moderated by Ms. Dora Mace-Kokota of Stephenson Harwood, the session touched upon the immense corporate advantages of operating a public shipping company, particularly the ability to raise significant capital to scale operations seamlessly.
The conversation inevitably touched upon the ongoing, highly publicized corporate tug-of-war between Diana Shipping and Genco Shipping & Trading, highlighting it as a prime example of the intense corporate governance, valuation, and consolidation battles currently defining the modern dry bulk sector. Reflecting on a partnership that dates back to 1986, Pappas and Economou noted that while they eventually split their corporate paths due to differing business mentalities, their shared history underscores the diversity of strategies that can achieve monumental success in shipping.
Turning to geopolitics, Pappas remarked that "black swans" have officially become the industry's daily norm, dividing the world into distinct trading clusters that force shipowners to make rapid, strategic choices. Economou agreed, closing the summit on a classic entrepreneurial note: in shipping, extreme macroeconomic disruptions and rapidly changing circumstances can almost always be turned into highly profitable opportunities for those with the courage and discipline to navigate them.
Shipping and the Global Energy Landscape
The summit concluded with a high-level panel on Shipping & The Global Energy Landscape, moderated by Mr. George Paleokrassas, Senior Partner at Watson Farley & Williams. The discussion featured some of the most influential leaders in global shipping, who debated regulatory friction, trade realignments, and the industry’s strategic role in global energy security.
Ms. Maria Angelicoussis, CEO of the Angelicoussis Group, opened by addressing how the ongoing Middle East conflict has triggered demand destruction and structurally altered trading patterns across the LNG carrier market. Turning to the global orderbook, she countered oversupply fears, noting that the current orderbook is balanced given that a massive percentage of the existing global fleet is rapidly becoming technologically obsolete.
Ms. Angelicoussis highlighted a critical industry defense, reiterating that shipping accounts for a mere 2-3% of global air emissions despite transporting 90% of the world's cargo. She expressed immense pride in flying the Greek flag across the majority of her fleet, praising the Greek government for maintaining a realistic, pragmatic maritime policy. Ultimately, she emphasized that human capital remains the industry’s true cornerstone: “For us, the key is our people—they provide the quality and reliability we depend on. The industry needs shipowners with traditional values who are deeply, long-term committed to this market."
Eng. Ahmed Ali Alsubaey, CEO & Board Member of the Bahri Group, extended his gratitude to Greek shipping partners for their unwavering support. He noted that Greek owners were instrumental in helping Middle Eastern maritime companies successfully navigate severe operational hazards arising from the US-Iran conflict during a highly tumultuous 90-day period.
Mr. Alsubaey pulled no punches regarding the "dark fleet," branding it an absolute disaster defined by unfair commercial practices and zero safety standards. He urged regulators to create strong financial incentives to drive those vessels toward the recycling yards. Reflecting on decarbonization, he noted that the industry's collective desire for a "blue planet" is already backed by tremendous capital investments in next-generation, eco-friendly tonnage.
Mr. Evangelos Marinakis, Founder & Chairman of Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., expressed strong solidarity regarding regional security, stating that operators trading in the Middle East feel incredibly proud that the Greek military’s missile defense assets protected vital Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure.
Mr. Marinakis identified a unique historical window for tankers, LNG, and LPG carriers to establish long-term, reliable strategic agreements that secure the industry's future. He also called for a total blockade of the dark fleet, citing its appalling safety records, and suggested forced vessel scrapping as the only viable solution.
Mr. Marinakis also delivered a sharp critique of international sanctions, arguing they are ultimately self-defeating because they heavily penalize European citizens, who are now forced to buy essential oil products at vastly inflated prices.
Mr. George Procopiou, Founder of Dynacom Tankers, Dynagas, and Sea Traders, closed the session by dissecting the hard lessons of the recent energy crisis. He noted that while the post-COVID era proved shipping is more vital than ever, the European Union has fundamentally failed to understand this reality, foolishly excluding shipping from its core energy security policies.
Mr. Procopiou also defended the human element on the frontlines of geopolitics, pointing out that "no one can simply impose tolls—it is our crews who physically navigate ships through the Strait of Hormuz, not the shipowners." He reminded the audience that affordable energy is directly synonymous with global living standards.
Commenting on the dark fleet, Mr. Procopiou conceded that the G7 oil price cap on Russian crude was a smart policy mechanism. He viewed the current influx of newbuildings as a natural, healthy strategy to replace aging tonnage with modern, eco-designed vessels. However, he launched a fierce attack on the financial architecture of the current net-zero regulatory frameworks, warning that impending carbon taxes will penalize shipowners up to three times the actual value of their assets:
"A standard Suezmax costs roughly $80 million to build, yet under these frameworks, it faces up to $240 million in penalties throughout its operational lifetime. It is completely outrageous."
The panel underscored a unifying truth: while technological advancement and fleet renewal are moving forward at full speed, heavy-handed regional regulations and unchecked shadow fleets threaten the economic stability of the legitimate ocean-going fleet.
POSIDONIA 2026 CAPITAL LINK FORUM
Η Παγκόσμια Ναυτιλία σε Ιστορικό Σταυροδρόμι – Γεωπολιτική, Τεχνολογία και Οικονομικός Μετασχηματισμός
Η παγκόσμια ναυτιλιακή κοινότητα έδωσε δυναμικό
«παρών» στην Αθήνα, στο πλαίσιο των Ποσειδωνίων 2026, με τη διεξαγωγή του Capital Link Maritime Leaders Summit. Κορυφαίοι πλοιοκτήτες, ρυθμιστικές αρχές και στελέχη της αγοράς συγκεντρώθηκαν για να αναλύσουν τις προκλήσεις μιας εποχής όπου οι γεωπολιτικές αναταράξεις, η ψηφιακή επανάσταση και οι δομικές αλλαγές στις κεφαλαιαγορές επανακαθορίζουν το διεθνές εμπόριο.
Η έναρξη του συνεδρίου από τους κ.κ. Γεώργιο Τεριακίδη (DNV) και Νικόλαο Μπορνόζη (Capital Link), σε συνδυασμό με την κεντρική ομιλία του Υπουργού Ναυτιλίας και Νησιωτικής Πολιτικής, κ. Βασίλη Κικίλια, έδωσε το στίγμα: οι ανατροπές τύπου «μαύρου κύκνου» αποτελούν πλέον τη νέα κανονικότητα, όμως η παραδοσιακή προσαρμοστικότητα της ναυτιλίας παραμένει αλώβητη.
Δεξαμενόπλοια και Ναυτιλία Ξηρού Φορτίου
Στον τομέα των δεξαμενόπλοιων αναδείχθηκε μια σαφής διάσταση στρατηγικών. Από τη μία πλευρά, ο κ. Αντώνης Κανελλάκης (Alpha Bulkers, Pantheon Tankers, Alpha Gas) τάχθηκε υπέρ των επιθετικών επενδύσεων σε νεότευκτα πλοία (Aframax, MR, LNG, LPG) ως τη βέλτιστη οδό για την ενσωμάτωση τεχνολογιών αιχμής. Αντίθετα, ο κ. Γιάννης Προκοπίου (Centrofin Management) και ο κ. Svein Moxnes Harfjeld (DHT Holdings) υποστήριξαν μια πιο επιφυλακτική στάση αναμονής («wait and see»), δίνοντας έμφαση στις χρονοναυλώσεις για την προστασία από μελλοντικές υφέσεις. Παράλληλα, ο κ. Jerry Kalogiratos (Capital Tankers) υπογράμμισε ότι η πορεία της αγοράς εξαρτάται από την προτεραιότητα που δίνεται στην ενεργειακή ασφάλεια έναντι των παραδοσιακών εμπορικών ροών, ενώ ο κ. Pankaj Khanna (Heidmar) συνέστησε προετοιμασία για το χειρότερο δυνατό σενάριο.
Στην αγορά του ξηρού φορτίου, η συζήτηση επικεντρώθηκε στις περιβαλλοντικές πιέσεις και την τεχνολογία. Ο κ. Κώστας Δελαπόρτας (DryDel Shipping) εξέφρασε την αισιοδοξία του, σημειώνοντας ότι οι ναυλωτές είναι διατεθειμένοι να πληρώσουν premium για οικολογικά πλοία. Ο κ. Πολυς Χατζηιωάννου (Safe Bulkers) προέβλεψε άνοδο της αγοράς για τους επόμενους έξι μήνες, ενώ τόνισε ότι η Ευρώπη αρχίζει επιτέλους να αντιλαμβάνεται τη σημασία της ναυτιλίας για την ενεργειακή της αυτονομία. Στο ίδιο μήκος κύματος, οι κ.κ. Σταμάτης Τσαντάνης (Seanergy & United Maritime) και Γιάννης Δραγνής (Goldenport Group) εξέφρασαν εμπιστοσύνη στη βιώσιμη ζήτηση, η οποία τροφοδοτείται από παγκόσμιες επενδύσεις σε υποδομές, όπως τα διεθνή data centers.
Η Ψηφιακή Επανάσταση και η Τεχνητή Νοημοσύνη
Η Τεχνητή Νοημοσύνη (AI) αποτέλεσε κεντρικό σημείο τριβής. Η κ. Σεμίραμις Παληού (Diana Shipping, HELMEPA & INTERMEPA) χαρακτήρισε το AI ως τον «ελέφαντα στο δωμάτιο», ζητώντας άμεσο και διαφανή διάλογο για τον μετασχηματισμό των επιχειρήσεων. Ωστόσο, ο κ. Πολυς Χατζηιωάννου συνέστησε προσοχή, προτείνοντας τον περιορισμό του AI σε διοικητικές εργασίες και όχι στη λήψη κρίσιμων εκτελεστικών αποφάσεων. Αντίστοιχα, ο κ. Ανδρέας Χατζηπέτρου (Columbia Group) ανέδειξε τη χρήση του AI στην εκπαίδευση των ναυτικών και την παρακολούθηση της ψυχικής τους υγείας.
Το Μοντέλο του Euronext Athens
Μια από τις πιο ιστορικές εξελίξεις που αναλύθηκαν στο συνέδριο ήταν η ολοκλήρωση της εξαγοράς του Χρηματιστηρίου Αθηνών (ATHEX) από το Euronext τον Νοέμβριο του 2025. Οι κ.κ. Mathieu Caron (Euronext) και Γιάννος Κοντόπουλος (CEO Ομίλου Χρηματιστηρίου Αθηνών) εξήγησαν πώς η μεταβαση στην πλατφόρμα Optiq® εντάσσει την Ελλάδα σε ένα ισχυρό ευρωπαϊκό ομόσπονδο μοντέλο.
Το επιστέγασμα αυτής της νέας εποχής ήταν η ιστορική διπλή εισαγωγή της Safe Bulkers στην Κύρια Αγορά του Euronext Athens, παράλληλα με το NYSE, με την έναρξη της διαπραγμάτευσης να πραγματοποιείται στις 2 Ιουνίου 2026. Επιπλέον, τονίστηκε ότι τα ναυτιλιακά εταιρικά ομόλογα στο ATHEX ξεπέρασαν το 1 δισεκατομμύριο δολάρια, με εμβληματικές εκδόσεις όπως αυτή της Capital Clean Energy Carriers (€250 εκατ. τον Φεβρουάριο του 2026), αποδεικνύοντας τη δημιουργία ενός ισχυρού παράλληλου ναυτιλιακού χρηματοοικονομικού cluster στην Ελλάδα.
Γεωπολιτική, «Σκιώδης Στόλος» και Πράσινη Μετάβαση
Η γεωπολιτική αβεβαιότητα και η ασφάλεια των ναυτικών κυριάρχησαν στις συζητήσεις των κ.κ. Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen (DNV) και Arsenio Dominguez (IMO). Ο κ. Αριστείδης Πίττας (Euroseas & EuroDry) προειδοποίησε για τον κίνδυνο παγκόσμιας ύφεσης εν μέσω αποπαγκοσμιοποίησης, ενώ ο κ. Γιώργος Γιουρούκος (Global Ship Lease) έκρουσε τον κώδωνα του κινδύνου για την υπερβολική συσσώρευση παραγγελιών.
Ιδιαίτερα καυστική ήταν η κριτική των ηγετών της αγοράς ενέργειας προς τις ρυθμιστικές αρχές.
Η κ. Μαρία Αγγελικούση (Angelicoussis Group) υπεραμύνθηκε της ελληνικής σημαίας και του παραδοσιακού μοντέλου αξιών, ενώ υπογράμμισε ότι η ναυτιλία ευθύνεται μόλις για το 2-3% των παγκόσμιων εκπομπών. Ο κ. Ευάγγελος Μαρινάκης (Capital Maritime & Trading Corp.) και ο Eng. Ahmed Ali Alsubaey (Bahri) ζήτησαν τον πλήρη αποκλεισμό και την υποχρεωτική διάλυση του «σκιώδους στόλου» (dark fleet) λόγω μηδενικών προτύπων ασφάλειας. Ο κ. Μαρινάκης επέκρινε επίσης τις διεθνείς κυρώσεις ως αυτοκαταστροφικές για τους Ευρωπαίους πολίτες.
Τέλος, ο κ. Γιώργος Προκοπίου (Dynacom, Dynagas, Sea Traders) εξαπέλυσε δριμεία επίθεση στο χρηματοοικονομικό πλαίσιο των πράσινων κανονισμών, τονίζοντας ότι οι επικείμενοι φόροι άνθρακα θα επιβάλουν ποινές έως και τριπλάσιες της αξίας των ίδιων των πλοίων (έως 240 εκατ. δολάρια για ένα πλοίο αξίας 80 εκατ. δολαρίων), χαρακτηρίζοντας την κατάσταση «εξωφρενική».
Η Παλιά Φρουρά και η Επόμενη Γενιά της Ναυτιλίας
Παρά τις τεχνολογικές εξελίξεις, η κοινή συνιστώσα όλων των πάνελ –από τους βετεράνους Πέτρο Παππά (Star Bulk) και Γιώργο Οικονόμου (TMS Group) μέχρι τη νέα γενιά ηγετών, όπως οι κ.κ. Μαριλένα Προκοπίου (Delos Navigation), Αμαλία Μηλιού-Θεοχαράκη (TEO Shipping), Διαμαντής Πατέρας (Contships) και Ειρήνη Πίττα (Euroseas)– ήταν μία: η ναυτιλία παραμένει μια ανθρωποκεντρική βιομηχανία σχέσεων. Η αντιμετώπιση της έλλειψης εξειδικευμένων ναυτικών μέσω της αναβάθμισης των δεξιοτήτων τους αποτελεί το κορυφαίο στοίχημα για το μέλλον.
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