East eyes West for growth opportunities

Traditional and emerging maritime markets from Asia look set to firm their grip on world shipping through an all-time record participation at Posidonia 2010, the world’s most prestigious trade shipping event to be held for the 22nd time in Greece, June 7th to 11th at the Hellenikon Exhibition Centre.
“The recent spate of new-building orders from Greek ship-owners is a tangible sign of recovery and has reignited the interest of Asia’s traditional shipbuilding superpowers Korea, Japan and China, who will field their biggest ever participation at Posidonia this year,” said Theodore Vokos, Project Manager, Posidonia Exhibitions S.A., the organisers of the biennial event.
“India’s ascendance as a world shipbuilding force is another contributing factor to Asia’s undisputed leadership in the shipbuilding industry. The country’s first ever national Pavilion at Posidonia serves as a reminder of India’s great ambitions and aspirations to be perceived as a key shipbuilding nation and services provider to the international maritime scene,” he said.
India will make its Posidonia debut with a 300 sqm Pavilion of the Shipyards Association of India.
The committed Far East presence at Posidonia 2010 is already 45 per cent larger compared with the 2008 Exhibition bringing the total floor space of Asian participation up to 3,166 sqm, an increase of 1,000 sqm from two years ago.
Korea will display its biggest ever Posidonia exhibitor participation, with KOSHIPA and KOMEA creating an impressive Korean Pavilion. Equally important is the increased stand alone presence of their major shipyards, which will include STX Business Group, Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co Ltd and SPP Shipbuilding Co LTD.
Japan will emulate their biggest ever participation (at the last Exhibition in 2008) based on the muscle of Japan Ship Exporters’ Association (JSEA) and Japan Marine Equipment Association (JSMEA).
An impressive addition to this year’s Posidonia is the presence of a second Chinese Pavilion, further enlarging the already strong Chinese display at the Exhibition. In addition to the long standing Pavilions of the
Chinese Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) and Cosco Shipyard Group, many more Chinese shipyards are also making their debut with independent stands, including amongst others Yiu Lian Dockyards (Shekou) Ltd and Zhejiang Province Daishan County Haizhou Ship Building and Repairing Co.
All aspects of the Far East maritime industries will be present spanning machinery, equipment, paints/coatings and registers. Large-scale stands will also be occupied by the Korean Register, Class NK, the Indian Register and China Classification Society, as well as shipping companies such as Daeyang Shipping of Korea, Senda Shipping and Golden Harvest Shipping of China.
China’s Qinhuangdao Haihang Marine Equipment & Machinery Import & Export Co.Ltd., manufacturer of main and auxiliary engine parts sees Posidonia 2010 as an opportunity to woo the international shipping community and network with existing customers. According to Mr. Yongli Guo, General Manager, “POSIDONIA is a priority platform for us to promote our brand services as well as attracting important customers.”
Korean waterjet leader BC Taechang Industrial Corporation will be showcasing its flagship COMBO UHP water jetting pump product. “We expect to promote our COMBO UHP water jetting machine and accessories to Greek ship owners and ship management companies,” said Sales Manager Kevin Kim.
Another highlight of Posidonia 2010 is the significant presence of the petroleum products industry representing oil, bunkering and lubricants’ companies including first timer Avin Oil, Castrol Marine returning after several years’ absence, and repeat exhibitors Petrobras, Chevron Global Marine Products, Aegean Oil with partner Gulf Oil Marine, and also Elinoil and ETEKA.
Chevron Global Marine Products’ General Manager Phil Bourgeois said: "As one of the world's leading marine fuel and lubricant suppliers, we're delighted to be exhibiting at Posidonia this year again, as it is a key event for us. It gives us a chance to meet with both the Greek as well as the wider shipping community.”
The unique breadth and depth of industry’s interest in world shipping at Posidonia will be further highlighted this year by Castrol Marine’s sponsorship of the ShipSoccer Tournament which is one of the three major parallel sporting events organized during the Posidonia week, together with the well established Lloyd’s Register sponsored Posidonia Sailing Cup and the fledgling Golf Tournament.
Some 20,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the exhibition, breaking the previous record set in 2008. This number is likely to grow as the world emerges from recession with many of them expected to focus on the three key growth areas of shipbuilding, ship equipment and the maritime service industries.
Organisers expect to welcome more than 1,700 exhibitors from 80 countries.