A deep dialogue between ship owners, financiers and more – Slide2Open Shipping Finance Conference 2018

Delegates to the inaugural Slide2Open Shipping Finance Conference 2018, recently held in Athens, were party to a deep dialogue between ship owners, financiers, consultants and technology companies. The main themes revealed from the panel discussions and presentations were the need to broaden the search for vessel finance from traditional shipping loans to leases and fund investments; the imperative to digitalise and stay abreast of technological innovations; and the increased focus on new regulations, especially regarding environmental challenges including sulphur emissions, and financial products.

Crucial to maintaining a healthy balance in the industry was the goal of reducing the pace of growth of the global fleet in order to combat over-supply of vessels, said Dr Martin Stopford, conference Chairman and non-executive President of Clarkson Research Services, which tracks ship industry trends. “The surplus has been reduced, but we still have a 16 per cent surplus capacity to get rid of,” he warned, while stressing the industry is moving in the right direction.

In an onstage interview, John Platsidakis, chairman of industry body Intercargo, vociferously dismissed the often-cited criticism that Greek shipowning families do not pay their fair share of taxes. “Not only is Greek tonnage tax higher than in most other countries, but we have made it clear that we have agreed to pay double,” with this voluntary agreement also applying to foreign-owned ships, said Mr Platsidakis. He added that … READ MORE...  Tags:Shipping Finance Conference