International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus

International Propeller Club of the United States

96th Annual Convention and Conference

Port of Piraeus

WE ARE TOGETHER

TOGETHER FOR SHIPPING
TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE

WE ARE TOGETHER

TOGETHER FOR SHIPPING
TOGETHER FOR THE FUTURE

The International Propeller Club of the United States is a global network of non-profit organizations dedicated to the maritime community.

The Club’s annual conventions and conferences bring stakeholders together in a forum of information, discussion and debate for the benefit of shipping and the world it serves.

This year, the 96th Annual Convention will be hosted by the International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus, in the heart of the world’s leading maritime nation – in Athens, Greece.

This is the first Annual Convention since the onset of the global pandemic. It is aptly titled WE ARE TOGETHER.

Distinguished speakers and delegates from across the globe will address issues in this post-pandemic world – geopolitics, the evolution of port management and logistics, digitalization, human resource, maritime education and training, industry sustainability, and of course, decarbonization.

It’s an opportunity for networking and dialogue. And, it’s a chance for a glimpse of the rich history of Greece and its maritime community.

History of the International Propeller Club of the United States

The idea for the Propeller Club was conceived in New York in 1922 by a group of professionals engaged in the merchant marine industry. They would meet regularly to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.

These meetings led to the foundation of the Propeller Club of the United States on 7 November 1927, with the aim of promoting the U.S. merchant marine industry and international shipping to create a better world through sea commerce.

The name “Propeller” is symbolic of propulsion, the driving force required to achieve the Club’s objectives.

The Propeller Club’s world headquarters are located in Fairfax, Virginia. Today there are Clubs in 72 ports worldwide. The first Propeller Club outside the United States was established in Hamburg in 1932.

Propeller Club of Piraeus

The International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus, was founded on 25 October 1935.

It is the oldest active Club, outside the United States, and, in terms of membership, the largest Club in the world.

The remarkable success of the Club is due to the high interest and active participation of its members and the Board of Governors.

It is an autonomous non-profit organization, collectively controlled by a board of sixteen volunteer governors, elected by members every two years.

In recognition of this success and the Club’s status worldwide, the Club received the prestigious Piraeus International Centre Award at the 2018 Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards ceremony, only to be followed up by the accolade International Propeller Club of the Year, 2021 awarded by the International Propeller Club of the United States at its 95th Annual International Propeller Club Convention and Leadership Conference held in October 2021.

AGENDA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ONLY

Monday, 19 September

Time
3:00-5:00PM	International Board of Directors Meeting (For International Delegation only) – Iris Hall
7:00-9:00PM	International Board of Directors Dinner at Zonars – Dionysos Restaurant (For International Delegation only)

AGENDA

Tuesday, 20 September

Time
7:30-11:00AM	Registration
9:00-10:30AM	First Port President Meeting (For International Delegation only) – Aristotle II Hall
10:30-10:45AM	Coffee Break
10:45-12:00PM	Propeller Club Leadership Training and Round tables (For International Delegation only) – Aristotle II Hall
12:00-1:00PM	Lunch Break – Lifetime Achievement Award – Cyclades Hall
1:00-1:30PM	Welcome and Convention Opening Remarks Welcome Addresses: Costis J. Frangoulis, President of the International Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Piraeus James C. Patti, President of the International Propeller Club Giannis Plakiotakis, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy George James Tsunis, United States Ambassador to Greece
1:30-2:00PM	International Propeller Club Awards’ Ceremony
2:00-2:30PM	Opening Session / Keynote Speaker: Peter Economides “IMAGINE… The full potential of shipping on future generations in Greece”.
2:30-3:45PM	Current Geopolitical Events Panel: Impact on trading patterns, energy routes, and ports of East Med.
3:45-4:15PM	Coffee Break
4:15-5:30PM	Women’s Propeller Club Meeting – Iris Hall
6:30-9:00PM	Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus President’s Reception- Standing Networking Dinner at The Grand by Interni – Grand Hyatt Hotel

AGENDA

Wednesday, 21 September

Time
7:30-9:00AM	Registration
8:30-9:45AM	Student Port Meeting – Aristotle II Hall
9:50-10:00AM	Special Address by Olympia Anastasopoulou, Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development
10:00-11:00AM	Ports in today’s fast changing environment Panel: How will the current external pressures that impact shipping and trade, together with new environmental regulations, technology trends, increasing cyber threats and the foreseeable tonnage affect port operations?
11:00-11:15AM	Coffee Break
11:15-12:15PM	The Human Element: Preparing for the Future Maritime Education & Reskilling Panel: New environmental regulations and technology trends require upskilling and reskilling of the crews on-board as well as the office personnel. They also pose an opportunity to attract fresh talent. How will the industry handle this?
12:15-1:15PM	Lunch Break – Cyclades Hall
1:15-1:30PM	Keynote Speech: Vice Admiral Georgios Alexandrakis, Commandant of the Hellenic Coast Guard (H.C.G.)
1:30-1:35PM	Presentation by Marichem Marigases Worldwide Services
1:35-2:35PM	Maritime Career Opportunities: International Officers and Port Presidents network with students Presentation of the “Adopt a Ship” Project by Irene K. Notias
3:30-6:30PM	Tour of the Port of Piraeus *Bus will depart from the Grand Hyatt Hotel at 3:30PM and return upon the end of the Tour
7:00PM	Dinner at Thalassaki

AGENDA

Thursday, 22 September

Time
7:30-11:00AM	Registration
10:00-11:00PM	Navigating the “NEXT” Stage of the Shipping Evolution Driven by Decarbonization Panel: The upcoming regulations towards the 2030 & 2050 decarbonization targets greatly impact technology choices, fuel supply chain, financial and commercial decisions as well as operational practices. What is the current view?
11:00-11:15AM	Coffee Break
11:15-11:25AM	Special Address by Eva Kaili, Vice-President of the European Parliament
11:25-12:25PM	Navigating the “NEXT” Stage of the Shipping Evolution Driven by Digitalization Panel: Digital technologies are here to support the shipping industry operations on matters of vessel performance monitoring, voyage/route optimization, machinery maintenance as well as autonomy. Is the industry embracing this?
12:25-1:25PM	Seated Lunch – Cyclades Hall
1:25-1:40PM	Special Address by Senator of Rhode Island, Leonidas (Lou) Raptakis
1:40-2:40PM	Sustainable Shipping: A Capital Intensive and Heavily Operational Business Panel: Driven by regulations and several industry-wide initiatives, sustainability in shipping has come into focus as a top priority. Are ESG practices already embedded in daily operations? Are financiers and capital providers encouraging and/or rewarding sustainability or just ticking the boxes?
2:40-2:55PM	Presentation on the HELLAS LIBERTY, by Dr Spyros M. Polemis
2:55-3:05PM	Presentation by PPG
3:15-4:30PM	Second Port Presidents Meeting and Installation of Officers (International Delegation only)
7:00-9:30PM	Cocktail Reception and Gala Dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel – Caryatids Hall

Speakers

Panel 1: Current Geopolitical Events TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 14:30-15:45
Dimitri Vassilacos	Partner of Ship Finance Solutions	Moderator
Michael Biery	Defence and Naval Attache of the U.S. Embassy to Greece	Speaker
George Koumoutsakos	Member of the Hellenic Parliament	Speaker
George Margaronis	CEO of Latsco Shipping Limited	Speaker
Daniel Tadros	COO of the American P&I Club	Speaker
Aristotle Tziampiris	Professor of International Relations, Director of the MSc Program in American Studies of University of Piraeus	Speaker
Panel 2: Ports in today’s fast-changing environment WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 10:00-11:00
Danae Bezantakou	CEO of Navigator Shipping Consultants	Moderator
Fotis Dalmyras	CEO of Andriaki Shipping	Speaker
Erik Holmgren	Economic Officer of the U.S. Embassy to Greece	Speaker
Christian Johnsen	Partner of Jones Walker LLP	Speaker
Sotirios Theofanis	Professor of Practice & Programme Lead, MSc in Shipping & Port management of City College	Speaker
Sean O’Toole	Senior Manager, Port/Terminal Operations at Hapag Lloyd	Speaker
Panel 3: The Human Element: Preparing for the Future Maritime Education & Reskilling WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 11:15-12:15
George Xiradakis	Founder / Managing Director of XRTC	Moderator
George Foustanos	Maritime Historian and Author / Founder of the Greek Shipping Miracle	Speaker
Amelia Rocos	Senior Risk Management Analyst of Diaplous Group	Speaker
Katerina Skourtanioti	Managing Director of Venlys Maritime Specialisation Services	Speaker
Stavroula Tsiamouli	Lieutenant Commander H.C.G (Finance Officer)	Speaker
Kostas Vlachos	Chief Technical Operations Officer of Castor Ships S.A.	Speaker
Panel 4: Navigating the “NEXT” Stage of the Shipping Evolution Driven by Decarbonization THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 10:00-11:00
Dorothea Ioannou	CEO of The American P&I Club	Moderator
Kim Diederichsen	CEO of Anemoi Marine Technologies	Speaker
Guillame Langlois	Onshore Support Consultant of Aventa Consulting	Speaker
Nicos Rescos	COO of Starbulk	Speaker
Katerina Sardi	Country Manager and Managing Director of Energean	Speaker
Athanasios Thanopoulos	CEO of Drylog	Speaker
Panel 5: Navigating the “NEXT” Stage of the Shipping Evolution Driven by Digitalization THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 11:25-12:25
Panos Theodossopoulos	CDO of Oceanking	Moderator
Jonathan Gaylor	Senior Sales Executive of Nautilus Lab	Speaker
Cynthia Hudson	CEO and Founder of HudsonAnalytix, Inc	Speaker
Stavros Meidanis	Managing Director of Capital-Executive Ship Management Corp.	Speaker
Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou	CEO of Tototheo Maritime	Speaker
Michela Schenone	Marine Digital Advisory Solutions Manager of RINA	Speaker
Panel 6: Sustainable Shipping: A Capital Intensive and Heavily Operational Business THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 13:40-14:40
Katerina Stathopoulou	Executive Director of Investments & Finance Ltd	Moderator
Helena Athoussaki	Head of ESG, Sustainability & Climate Change of Motor Oil Hellas	Speaker
Nicholas Pfaff	Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Sustainable Finance at the ICMA	Speaker
George Plevrakis	VP of Sustainability of ABS	Speaker
Spyros Tarassis	COO – Bulker Fleet of Costamare Shipping Co.	Speaker
Valentios (Eddie) Valentis	CEO of PYXIS	Speaker

Guests / Spouses Guided Tours

All tours will be conducted by certified guides fluent in English

Tuesday, 20 September

10:00AM-3:00PM

Bus departs at 10:00AM from GRAND HYATT Hotel

Athens City Guided Tour with a visit to the Acropolis Hill

This half-day excursion is a chance to visit one of the world’s most significant monuments, followed by a chance to explore and enjoy the centre of Athens and spend some time shopping and strolling around the city centre.

Participants will explore the amazing Plaka, Anafiotika village (a picturesque village right in the heart of Athens) and stroll through Monastiraki, one of the most unique neighbourhoods in Europe.

Skirting the foot of the Acropolis and connecting it to the city’s other ancient attractions – the Ancient Agora, the Roman Forum, Kerameikos, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus – is a 2.5-kilometer walking path known as the Archaeological Promenade.

Following this, they will have the chance to enjoy the amazing tavernas, cafeterias and shops in the heart of Athens.

Tour participants will also see the Hellenic Parliament, Syntagma Square, the Zappeion Gardens and, of course, the Panathenaic Olympic Stadium (Kallimarmaro).

Note: Entrance tickets and transfers are included

Wednesday, 21 September

09:00AM-1:00PM
Bus departs at 09:00AM from the GRAND HYATT Hotel.

Explore the amazing New Acropolis Museum, focused on the archaeological discoveries at the Acropolis of Athens.

The museum was built to house artefacts found on the rock and on the surrounding slopes, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece.

It lies on the ruins of parts of Roman and early Byzantine Athens.

The museum was founded in 2003 while the Organization of the Museum was established in 2008. It opened to the public on 20 June 2009.

More than 4,250 objects are exhibited in an area of 14,000 square metres.

The Organization for the Construction of the new museum is chaired by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Professor Emeritus of Archaeology, Dimitrios Pandermalis.

Following the visit to the Museum, participants may stroll around the magical district of Plaka.

Note: Entrance tickets and transfers are included