The 15th Annual Capital Link Greek Shipping Forum will be held in Athens on Friday February 7, 2025. The event is organized in cooperation with New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, and DNV.
The institutional leadership of global shipping, specifically IMO Representative, the heads of four global industry associations: BIMCO, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO & The International Chamber of Shipping, high level representatives from the European Union, the Greek Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, the Heads of Classification Societies, Global Heads of Shipping, Major Global Investors, will all attend the forum.
The agenda will focus on three main areas:
- the industry’s main trends and challenges
- the opportunities that lie ahead and strategies to complete in an increasingly complex and demanding world. This event will focus on three main areas: The current trends and outlook of the global economy and the main commodity, energy and shipping markets
- The critical challenges the industry faces today related to geopolitical and regulatory developments, such as compliance with decarbonization, trade sanctions & tensions, and the transformational impact of technology
- As usual, Maritime Finance will be the core subject with focus on bank finance, capital markets, alternative funding mechanisms and private equity.
With 1000+ participants every year, attendees can expect an informative networking forum connecting them to the shipping industry’s key players, including influential members in the financial community, such as commercial and investment banks. This one-day conference, known for its large attendance by shipowners, its rich informational content and the extensive marketing, networking and business development opportunities.
To attend the event please register at this link : https://forums.capitallink.com/shipping/2025greece/
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
- H.E. Christos Stylianides, Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy - Hellenic Republic
- Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner- European Commission for Sustainable Transport & Tourism (via webcast)
- Dr. Dorota Lost-Sieminska, Director - Legal Affairs and External Relations Division – International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- Ms. Fotini Ioannidou, Director - EUROPEAN COMMISSION, DG for Mobility & Transport
- Ms. Elissavet Vozemberg – Vrionidi, Chair, Committee on Transport and Tourism - European Parliament
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Heads of Industry Associations
- Mr. Nikolaus Schües, President & Chairperson of the Board – BIMCO ; CEO - Reederei F. Laeisz
- Mr. John Xylas, Chairman - INTERCARGO ; President & CEO - Ariston Navigation Corp.
- Mr. Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman - INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF SHIPPING ; President & MD; Managing Director - Grimaldi Euromed SpA; Grimaldi Group
- Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, Founder & CEO - TEN Ltd. (NYSE: TEN) ; Chairman - INTERTANKO (2014-2018)
Global Heads of Shipping
- Mr. Philipp Wünschmann, Head of Shipping – Berenberg
- Mr. Chris Conway, Managing Director, Global Head of Transportation – Export Agency Finance - Citi
- Mr. Christos Tsakonas, Global Head of Shipping - DNB
- Mr. Evan Cohen, Managing Director & Group Head of Maritime Finance - First Citizens Bank
AGENDA
Mr. George Teriakidis, Regional Manager for Southeast Europe – DNV Maritime
Mr. Nicolas Bornozis, President – Capital Link, Inc.
SHIPPING & TRADE IN A SHIFTING WORLD- CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
Moderator: Mr. Michalis Pantazopoulos, Senior Vice-President – Liberian Registry (LISCR Hellas)
Panelists:
- • Mr. Elias Triantafyllidis, Regional Bulk Carrier Segment Director, South East Europe Region – DNV Maritime
- • Dr. Gaby Bornheim, President – German Shipowners' Association (VDR)
- • Mr. Tim Wilkins, Managing Director – INTERTANKO
- • Mr. Gordon Robertson, Head of Greece – NorthStandard
- • Mr. Joe Kramek, President & CEO – World Shipping Council
FUEL & FLEET STRATEGIES: DRIVING THE SHIPPING ENERGY TRANSITION
Moderator: Mr. Ezekiel Davis, Vice President, Regional Business Development, Europe – ABS
Panelists:
- • Mr. Mark O'Neil, President & CEO – Columbia Group; President – InterManager
- • Mr. Mikki Koskinen, Managing Director – ESL Shipping Ltd.; Vice President – European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA)
- • Mr. Polys Hajioannou, CEO – Safe Bulkers (NYSE: SB); Vice President – Cyprus Union of Shipowners
- • Mr. Hing Chao, Executive Chairman – Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings; Co-Founder & Chairman – Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping
BANK FINANCE PANEL
Moderator: Mr. Jasel Chauhan, Partner, Head of International Finance – Hill Dickinson LLP
Panelists:
- • Mr. Philipp Wünschmann, Head of Shipping – Berenberg
- • Mr. Chris Conway, Managing Director, Global Head of Transportation – Export Agency Finance – Citi
- • Mr. Christos Tsakonas, Global Head of Shipping – DNB
- • Mr. Evan Cohen, Managing Director & Group Head of Maritime Finance – First Citizens Bank
MARKET UPDATE: FUELEU
Moderator: Mr. Alexander Prokopakis, Executive Director – International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA)
Panelists:
- • Mr. Theo Kourmpelis, Strategic Business Partner – Lloyd’s Register
- • Mr. Ralf Garrn, Managing Director – OceanScore
ALTERNATIVE FINANCE PANEL
Moderator: Mr. Chris Vartzis, Partner, Head of Maritime Finance, Greece – Stephenson Harwood
Panelists:
- • Mr. Nicholas M. Petrakakos, Partner & Managing Director, Maritime & Offshore Investment Banking – Alantra
- • Mr. George Fikaris, Managing Director – EnTrust Global
- • Mr. Kevin Kou, Director of Europe and America Department (Shipping) – ICBC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
- • Mr. Iraklis Tsirigotis, Director of Origination – Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd.
NAVIGATING OPPORTUNITIES – INVESTMENT PERSPECTIVES IN THE MARITIME SECTOR
Moderator: Ms. Alexia Hatzimichalis, Partner – Watson Farley & Williams
Panelists:
- • Mr. Christian Rychly, Head of Shipping – MPC Capital; COO – MPC Container Ships
- • Mr. Tobias Backer, Executive Director – Pelagic Capital
- • Mr. Nicolas Tirogalas, Chief Investment Officer – Tufton Investment Management
KEYNOTE REMARKS:
H.E. Christos Stylianides, Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy - Hellenic Republic
FORUM LUNCHEON & OFFICIAL AWARD CEREMONY
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner - European Commission for Sustainable Transport & Tourism (via webcast)
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:
Ms. Elissavet Vozemberg – Vrionidi, Chair, Committee on Transport and Tourism - European Parliament
OFFICIAL AWARD CEREMONY
2025 CAPITAL LINK GREEK SHIPPING LEADERSHIP AWARD
During the luncheon in the context of the forum, an official award ceremony will take place, and the "2025 Capital Link Greek Shipping Leadership Award" will be presented to Mr. Thanasis Martinos, Managing Director - Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited, for his outstanding contribution to Greek & global shipping.
Introductory Remarks: Mr. George Prokopiou, Founder - Dynacom Tankers Management; Dynagas Ltd. (DLNG) / Sea Traders, and Mr. George M. Foustanos, Maritime Historian & Founder - Greek Shipping Miracle.
The “Capital Link Greek Shipping Leadership Award” is presented annually to a leading maritime figure of the Greek Shipping Community who has gained the respect and the appreciation of the international shipping industry and who is also recognized for their outstanding contribution to elevating Greek Shipping to its leadership position globally.
Previous honorees were: 2013 - Captain Panagiotis N.Tsakos, Founder & President - Tsakos Group, 2014 - Mr. Pericles Panagopoulos, 2015 - Mr. Lambros Varnavides, Vice Chairman of the Baltic Exchange, Trustee of the Lloyds Register Foundation and Managing Director and Global Head of Shipping RBS 1998, 2016 - Mr. Nicolas, George and Andreas Tsavliris of the Tsavliris Salvage Group, 2017 - Professor Costas Th. Grammenos CBE DSc, Chairman C. Grammenos Centre of Shipping Trade & Finance, Bayes Business School, City, University of London, 2018 - Mr. Panos Laskaridis, President of European Community Shipowners Associations; CEO, Lavinia Corporation/Laskaridis Shipping Company Ltd. and Mr. Athanasios Laskaridis, Chairman and CEO of Lavinia Corporation, Lavinia Enterprises Limited and Laskaridis Shipping Company Ltd., 2019 - Captain Paris Dragnis, Chairman & Founder - Goldenport Group, 2020 - Mr. George Procopiou, Founder, Dynacom Tankers Management, Sea Traders – Dynagas, 2022 - Mr. Simeon Palios, Founder and Chairman, Diana Shipping, 2023 - Mr. Themistocles Vokos, Founder Member, Honorary Chairman of Posidonia; Founder of Seatrade, and 2024 - TEN LTD. -TSAKOS ENERGY NAVIGATION LTD., & Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, Founder & CEO - TEN Ltd. (NYSE: TNP); Chairman - INTERTANKO (2014-2018).
Official Luncheon Sponsor: The Marshall Islands Registry.
KEYNOTE REGULATORY ROUNDTABLE
Moderator: Mr. George Teriakidis, Regional Manager for Southeast Europe – DNV Maritime
Participants:
- Dr. Dorota Lost-Sieminska, Director, Legal Affairs & External Relations Division - International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- Ms. Fotini Ioannidou, Director, DG for Mobility & Transport - European Commission
KEYNOTE INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE
STEERING THE COURSE - DRIVING THE INDUSTRY FORWARD
Moderator: Mr. Nicholas Brown, Corporate Affairs Director, Marine & Offshore – Bureau Veritas
Panelists:
- • Mr. Nikolaus Schües, President & Chairperson of the Board – BIMCO; CEO – Reederei F. Laeisz
- • Mr. John Xylas, Chairman – INTERCARGO; President & CEO – Ariston Navigation Corp.
- • Mr. Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman – INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF SHIPPING; President & MD; Managing Director – Grimaldi Euromed SpA; Grimaldi Group
- • Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, Chairman – INTERTANKO (2014-2018); Founder & CEO – TEN Ltd.
EU FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MARITIME SECTOR
Presentation:
Mr. Vasileios Tsiamis, Partner – EY
DARK FLEET – SANCTIONS & TARIFFS
Presentation:
- Ms. Leigh Hansson, Partner – Reed Smith
- Mr. Alexander Brandt, Partner – Reed Smith
ELNAVI Newsletter
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