Event Review - Athens Seminar - 31st October, 2018

On 31st October our annual seminar in Athens took place at the Galaxy Rooms, Hilton Hotel. The seminar focused on Mitigating the Impact of the Future and was attended by more than 100 Members and guests.

With a view to offering a well-rounded overview of the challenges presented by the new Regulations which are set to come into force in 2020, the panel comprised Steve Gordon, the Managing Director of Clarksons Research, Conan O’Driscoll & Dr Penelope Cooke of Brookes Bell Group and our own Mark Beare. 

The panel was introduced by Michael Chanouzas from our Piraeus office who provided the audience with a broad overview of some of the new rules and regulations being faced by Members. Clarkson’s Steve Gordon then followed with an update on the key shipping markets in terms of earnings, supply & demand, global trade developments, as well as market cycle and regulatory challenges. This market analysis was followed by a review of the more scientific aspects of the new sulphur regulations, presented by Conan, and a detailed presentation on the new ballast water regulations by Penelope. They both analysed the new Regulations and provided their valuable expert opinion as well as offering possible solutions available to Members  in order to address compliance whilst at the same time taking into account the commercial considerations. To conclude the seminar, Mark considered the legal issues that are likely to arise together with the anticipated significant consequences in the event of non-compliance. Potential contractual ramifications under time charterparties, bunker supply contracts and supply contracts were considered and the presentation was concluded by an examination of a variety of model contractual clauses.

Guests were then able to discuss these issues further whilst enjoying a drink during an evening reception.