TradeWinds Shipowners Forum in Athens hits the spot - Athens, Oct 5 2011

Over 200 shipowners and top shipping executives gathered this week at the TradeWinds Shipowners Forum to hear leading owners, brokers and industry representatives discuss issuescurrently affecting their companies.

In the current uneasy economic climate, choice of location for companies was discussed in detail, as were the questions of new technical innovations that offer fuel efficiency and cost savings, whether Greek owners should follow their traditional patterns of business or diversify into new sectors and how and from where they can raise funds to expand their businesses.

Among the panellists were representatives of five listed companies including George Economou, CEO of DryShips, Harry Vafias, CEO of StealthGas, Michael Bodouroglou, CEO of Paragon Shipping and Akis Tsirigakis of Nautilus Maritime.

Mark Jackson, chairman of the Baltic Exchange, Peter Kerr-Dineen, joint partner of Howe Robinson shipbrokers of London and Professor John Tzoannos, former secretary general of the Hellenic Ministry of Mercantile Marine, were also among the distinguished names on the podium.

In the auditorium the top echelon of a number of listed companies were also present including Petros Pappas, president and Spyros Capralos, CEO of Star Bulk Carriers; George Feidakis, president and George Karageorgiou CEO of Globus Maritime and Fotini Karamanli of London-listed Hellenic Carriers.

Among the many other well-known shipowners and executives present were Polys L. Haji-Ioannou, Markos Foros of Chandris (Hellas) and Nicholas Tsavliris.

After the completion of the Forum's discussions, delegates were invited to relax at a cocktail reception hosted by Mr. Muhammed Tahir Lakhani of Dubai Trading Agency, one of the leading cash buyers of ships for recycling.