Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis delivers a keynote speech at the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition in Athens, Greece, on June 6, 2022. The Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition, one of the most prestigious shipping events globally, was inaugurated on Monday evening in Athens by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
ATHENS, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition, one of the most prestigious shipping events globally, was inaugurated on Monday evening in Athens by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The biennial event returned after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the largest in size during its 54-year-long history, having grown by 7 percent in net exhibitor space at the Athens' Metropolitan Exhibition Center near the Athens International Airport, compared to the 2018 record edition, according to the organizers of the Posidonia Exhibitions S.A.
A total of 1,948 exhibitors from 88 countries are exhibiting their products and services this year. There are 24 national pavilions from Europe, North America and Asia. More than 18,000 international visitors are expected to attend the event until this Friday, according to an e-mailed press release.
European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean, ministers of maritime nations, shipping industry decision and policy makers attended the opening event on Monday.
"Shipping has a significant contribution to Greek economy and society, accounting for 7 percent of our country's GDP and creating 200,000 people for Greek citizens," Mitsotakis said, delivering a keynote speech.
Mitsotakis also revealed details of a letter he sent to the President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen to request that shipping becomes a European priority.
The Greek leader also toured part of the exhibition, passing in front of the stand of Piraeus Port Authority S.A. (PPA), a member of China's COSCO Shipping group.
China's COSCO Shipping acquired a majority stake in PPA in 2016 after an international tender, while the group's subsidiary, Piraeus Container Terminal S.A. (PCT), manages the port's container terminal since 2009.
The image of Greece's largest port has changed in recent years through upgrades and expansion work, benefiting local economy and people.
Posidonia 2022 is organized under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the Union of Greek Shipowners and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, with the support of the Municipality of Piraeus and the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee. ■
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis delivers a keynote speech at the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition in Athens, Greece, on June 6, 2022. The Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition, one of the most prestigious shipping events globally, was inaugurated on Monday evening in Athens by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (2nd L) cuts a ribbon at the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition in Athens, Greece, on June 6, 2022. The Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition, one of the most prestigious shipping events globally, was inaugurated on Monday evening in Athens by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
