TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE GROUP - News & Announcements

9th Hydra Shipping Conference: "Romanticism in Shipping" - 2018 Sep 17

The 9th Hydra Shipping Conference, organised by the Fraternity of the Athenian Hydriots ( www.aya.com.gr ) was successfully concluded on Saturday 15 September 2018 at the Conference Hall of the Holy Cathedral of Hydra, under the auspices of the Ministry of Shipping, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Hellenic Marine Environment Association (HELMEPA), the Hellenic Shipbrokers Association (HSA), the Piraeus Marine Club, the Yacht Club of Greece , the International Propeller Club of the United States and the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA).

Mr John Sahinis, the President of the Fraternity of the Athenian Hydriots, welcomed esteemed guests and inaugurated the work of the conference and the aim of the Fraternity since its foundation in the late 19th century on the island of Ydra:  interventions on national issues, preservation of Hydra's contribution to the country,  the island's promotion via various activities every year – such as keeping in touch with philhellines, charitable donations, protection of the environmental and architectural heritage, and attracting Greece's youth to the nautical profession, supporting their future career.   Mr Sahinis thanked the sponsors and the Mayor of Hydra, for their precious support in making the Hydra Shipping Conference a landmark for the island of Hydra.

The Mayor of Hydra , Mr Yiorgos Koukoudakis, welcomed guests and acknowledged Mr Sahinis' efforts in organising the successful Hydra Conference for the past nine consecutive years and contributing to the island's cultural heritage.

Mr George Tsavliris, Principal of Tsavliris Salvage Group, Chairman and Moderator of the 9th Annual Hydra Shipping Conference, introduced the debate, themed  "Romanticism in Shipping", welcomed guests and affirmed that his desire is always to have an interactive debate, with emphasis on exchanging views between panelists and audience. Mr Tsavliris stated that we can and should always aim to extrapolate and "think out of the box" – that we never stop learning and that with our lives being so consumed by technology today, with computers, i-pads, i-phones etc - we must not lose our faith, our childish enthusiasm and our romanticism – and that we need to teach our youth not to be afraid to be daring.  Mr Tsavliris introduced speakers and panelists at this year's Shipping conference, Dr George D. Pateras, Chairman of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and Managing Director of Aegeus Shipping SA,  Ms Helen Thanopoulou, Professor in Operations, Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport of the University of  the Aegean, Mr Emmanuel Vordonis, Former Executive Director of Thenamaris Ship Management Inc, Mr John Faraclas, Director All About Shipping, Mr Martin Stopford, Chairman Clarkson Research Service Ltd, who travelled from the United Kingdom to attend the Hydra Shipping Conference,  Mr Yannis Triphyllis, Executive Commitee Member, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping,  Ms Alexandra Couvadelli , Senior Claims Director of UK P&I Club and Dr Nicholas Themelis, Head of Performance, LAROS-Prisma Electronics.

The conference covered two main areas of discussion in two panels : PANEL I.  "The Importance of the Maritime Colleges" and PANEL II.  "The Beginning of the End or the End of the Beginning?"

Dr George Pateras, Chairman of Board of Directors of The Hellenic Chamber of Shipping opened PANEL 1 :  "The Importance of the Maritime Colleges" and spoke about events in the history of the Greek flag, incidents / happenings which have effected it's evolution and the flag's growth and how this growth is Interdependent on Greek merchant fleet.  Dr Pateras talked about the reasons which have led to the dramatic decrease in our vessels flying the Greek Flag – and by the same token, the dramatic decrease in our Greek merchant fleet.  For example, said Dr Pateras - in the past, Banks imposed the Liberian and Panamanian Flags as these flag countries' governing rules and regulations complied with Bank's requirements.  Law 89 of 1967 was a key milestone in Greek Shipping.  Without qualified officers in the Greek merchant fleet, the Greek Flag began to shrink while other flags were growing in plethora.  More Greek flag ships lead to more Greek officers while more Greek officers lead to more Greek flag ships.  Dr Pateras spoke about the critical need to educate more men at sea - the curriculum needs to be updated.  The Ministry has given this matter to the industry to solve and it is imperative that we work together to increase our Greek fleet and thus increase our Greek flag vessels. Dr Pateras expressed his kind gratitude for yet another informative seminar amongst friends and colleagues with the backdrop of beautiful Hydra, the oldest naval college in the world – Hydra is the perfect setting, said Dr Pateras,  for the exchange of views and ideas, and said he is already looking forward to next year's event.

Mr Emmanuel Vordonis, Former Director of Thenamaris addressed the audience with the passion of a sea man - He said that in order to increase the number of our youth to go into a career at sea – we need to pass on this excitement and passion to our schools.  There is a romance about the sea – being against the water, the salt, God's forces and the cosmopolitan travelers of the sea, the beauty of the ship and the powers of the Gods – Mr Vordonis said that it is vital to marry all of these elements together and inspire our youth with this love for the sea – and together with modern technology – to sustain the continuity of our industry.  

Ms Helen Thanopoulou, Professor of Operations at the Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport of the University of the Aegean, spoke about the challenge for the fleet - of a "cargoless"  country like Greece is significant  amidst  today's  growing protectionism - combined with giant shipper nations, giant corporations and huge funds  - and where the place of  the management of human resources on board may take the back seat among factors of shipping competitiveness.   However, the strongest Greek shipping card might be related precisely  to the human resource as - in the absence of  other  world - class  outlets for young  people  within the Greek economy -  shipping has attracted traditionally   the most talented  and dynamic  among them.  

Mr John Faraclas, Director of All About Shipping, via video presentation thanked the President of the Fraternity of the Athenian Hydriots, the Conference Chairman, the esteemed panel and guests and said  that Education, Education, Education is the buzz word for the entire shipping industry! Coupled with discipline, education can work wonders further the Shipping Adventure!  Maritime Education and Training is a must and we should all avoid petty party politics! Meantime for the harsh unemployment issue, getting a shipping job can save the day! Did I here you say energy? If we opt for the alternative sources of energy, big money will change hands; how many can afford to ...suffer...  ?" were Mr Faraclas closing words.

Mr Martin Stopford, President of Clarkson Research opened the 2nd half of the conference, Panel 2 : "The Beginning of the End or the
End of the Beginning?" 

Ms Alexandra Couvadelli, Senior Claims Director of UK P&I Club presented the matter of sulphur emissions and the contractual challenges
involved.

Mr Yannis Triphyllis, Executive Committee Member of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping,  stated that a balanced approach to regulation whether environmental or financial needs to take into account the longer term cost as much as the shorter term benefit.   

Dr Nikos Themelis, Head of Performance Department of Prisma Electronics highlighted the data centric operation of ships in the era of digitalization.  Shipping at the moment is experiencing a data revolution like many other industries, said Dr. Themelis.