Shipping conference in Shanghai delivers yet again

"Excellent organisation… Shipping China has been very interesting, the mix of speakers and panelists absolutely spot-on, and networking extremely productive."

In summing up his experience of this year’s TradeWinds Shipping China, the 8^th such conference since its inception in 2004, one delegate from RINA says it all. 

Held at the Kerry Hotel in Pudong, Shanghai, from 22^nd to 23^rd May this year, the 8^th TradeWinds Shipping China was an action-packed conference, with all the right ingredients for an exciting few days: controversial topics, high-profile speakers, and several quality networking affairs. 

Delegates were eager to hear from Gurinder Singh, Director of Shipping and Distribution from Vale, the Brazilian mining giant caught in the middle of a battle with the Chinese government over the right for its VLOCs to call at Chinese ports. Mr. Singh touched on all the topics that have catapulted this major charterer into the limelight in recent times and it was also the first time that Vale issued a public denial of its alleged boycott of COSCO. This resulted in a flurry of questions from the floor and detailed coverage in TradeWinds and other media in the days following. Only the day before had Mr. Singh attended the naming of two of the world’s largest bulkers, 400,000-dwt Valemax series of VLOCs, in Nantong.

The second session of the conference tackled the highly controversial  topic of charter party disputes, which have affected many owners and charterers since the onslaught of the prolonged financial crisis experienced over the past few years. Geir Sviggum of Wikborg Rein masterfully chaired a potentially challenging session featuring fellow lawyers as well as ship owners such as the Vafias Group of Companies, which has been particularly vocal in getting its debtors to pay up. Understandably, there were a few heated moments with some delegates passionately refuting suggestions that Chinese charterers were especially inclined to re-negotiate when markets turn sour. 

Feedback from delegates was very encouraging with many positively comparing the lively debates with other set-piece conferences being organised.  Delegates especially enjoyed the networking opportunities, including a cocktail reception the highlight of which was the presentation of the “Shipping China Executive of the Year” award. This award was presented to Mr. Yang Xianxiang, CEO & Executive Director of SITC Holdings who later joined delegates on the Class NK River Cruise dinner reception, taking in the Huangpu river and the stunning sights of historic Puxi and futuristic Pudong along its banks. 

Share in the experience, or reminisce, with the photographs that can be viewed here. 

Post-event video clip can be viewed here. 

The 8th TradeWinds Shipping China conference was sponsored by Wärtsilä, Rongsheng, ClassNK, ABS, CCS, RedFour, SeaQuest, GL, DNV, RINA, Wikborg Rein, Goltens China and Star Asia.