V.Group returns to Posidonia 2022 after four years away

After a 4-year break, last week’s Posidonia 2022 event in Athens saw our industry reconnecting in person again in a way that has been sorely missed throughout the pandemic.

Posidonia is one of the largest shipping and maritime trade exhibitions in the world and, this year, it hosted circa 23,000 people from across the globe.

At the opening of Posidonia 2022, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for shipping to be treated on an equal footing as measures are sought to decarbonise the industry. He commented: “We have to intensify research to develop new technologies and fuels, and it is imperative that we revise EU rules to allow competition across transport modes to happen on an equal basis, so that he who pollutes will be paying.”

V.Group was represented at the exhibition by both Argo Marine Travel/GMT and Oceanic who manned a 40sqm co-branded booth.  A team of 20+ colleagues from across V.Group attended the event and met with clients and potential customers to strengthen existing relationships and win new business.

One of these participants was the Business Development and General Manager of V.Ships Turkey office – Efe Sipahi.  Efe met not only with those who visited the co-branded booth, but also with companies operating in many different fields and their representatives in different halls, and had the opportunity to exchange information about how V.Group is structured today.  Efe also had the chance to chat with many local and global colleagues with whom he had worked over 20 years.

Efe commented: ‘’It was a real pleasure to be able to represent V.Group at such a large and important event where the heart of the maritime industry beats and to share the same atmosphere with the great players of the sector.’’

Efe also added: ”I would like to state that I am truly grateful for the wonderful support and hospitality of the V.Ships Greece office, Argo Travel/GMT, and Oceanic staff.  A special thanks to all of them for their hard work.”

Effie Kyriacou, Fleet Cell Liaison Manager representing the V.Ships Global Procurement and Logistics Team, was also in attendance throughout the week. “It was really wonderful after four years to represent my company and team at Posidonia again.  It is a beautiful exhibition, and celebration of shipping, held in the heart of shipping, Greece!  Attending these events is an opportunity to re-connect face to face with suppliers that we have worked with and valued for years.  At these events you can also see first-hand new technologies and discuss new standards or requirements.  It gives the chance to enrich and strengthen both our relationships with the industries top makers and suppliers and also give our presence as a company, that is equally valuable.”

On 9 June, during Posidonia week, Stephen Macfarlane, V.Group’s CIO, participated in a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Digitalisation demystified’ as part of the inaugural Global Marine Summit event.  With momentum building in the adoption of digital technologies by the shipping industry, the session sought to demystify the digitalisation process, identifying its potential benefits as an enabler of sustainable and optimised performance, and considering the steps needed to ensure a return on investment.  As Stephen highlighted in his introduction, “Everyone has to benefit from technology.  The industry is clearly on a journey of digitalisation and now is the time to get onboard.”

During Posidonia, two drinks receptions were held at the co-branded booth – one in collaboration with SKY Express and the other sponsored by partner Philippine Airlines. Both events resulted in a flurry of visitors to the booth, offering guests the opportunity to network and enjoy the drinks and canapés on offer, while finding out more about V.Group’s services.

On Thursday evening, a cocktail reception was held at Istioploikos, a restaurant and café within Piraeus Sailing Club overlooking the port. Together with sponsors Qatar Airways, it was a pleasure to welcome around 200 guests for an evening of networking and entertainment. A highlight of the evening was the prize draw, with one lucky winner taking home two business class flights courtesy of the Qatar Airways team.

With Posidonia being the largest trade show in Greece, the focus of the shipping industry was centred on Athens last week and in particular the port of Piraeus which is the largest passenger port in Europe and the third largest in the world, serving approximately 20 million passengers annually. On departing Athens following Posidonia, Robert Desai, V.Group’s Chief Commercial Officer, commented: “I have a sense of great admiration for the maritime cluster of Piraeus. The incomparable concentration of ship-owners, managers, investors and advisors makes for a hotbed of positive activity in the shipping space, much of it today directed towards vital decarbonisation goals.”

V.Group hopes to return to the next edition of Posidonia in 2024.