4^Ο ΕΤΗΣΙΟ CAPITAL LINK INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING FORUM CHINA

Μεγάλη επιτυχία

ΠΑΡΑΣΚΕΥΗ, 10 ΜΑΙΟΥ, 2019, ΞΕΝΟΔΟΧΕΙΟ GRAND KEMPINSKI, ΣΑΝΓΚΑΗ, ΚΙΝΑ

 

21 Μαίου, 2019

Το “4th Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum – China”, πραγματοποιήθηκε την Παρασκευή, 10 Μαίου, 2019 στο Grand Kempinski Hotel στη Σανγκάη, Κίνα, σε συνεργασία με την Columbia Shipmanagement και την Singhai Marine Services, και με την υποστήριξη της Κυβέρνησης της Shanghai Pudong (Γραφείο Διεθνών Ναυτιλιακών Υπηρεσιών). Κύριος Χορηγός του Συνεδρίου ήταν η ICBC Leasing.

Αξίζει να τονιστεί ότι ένα χρόνο πριν, στις 19 Απριλίου 2018, μία μέρα πριν από το 3^rd Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum – China, η Capital Link υπέγραψε Μνημόνιο Στρατηγικής Συνεργασίας με την Κυβέρνηση του Pudong (Shanghai Pudong New Area Commission of Commerce – International Shipping Service Office).

 

Όπως δήλωσε ο κ. Nicolas Bornozis, Πρόεδρος της Capital Link: “Η Κίνα υπήρξε ανέκαθεν η κινητήριος δύναμη για την παγκόσμια ναυτιλία. Η Σαγκάη και το Pudong είναι ήδη σημαντικοί κόμβοι της παγκόσμιας ναυτιλίας. Αναγνωρίζοντας το γεγονός ότι το μέλλον ανήκει στην Κίνα, πολλοί εφοπλιστές εγκαθιστούν ένα παράρτημα στην Shanghai Pudong. Τα τελευταία χρόνια, η Capital Link διοργανώνει ένα σημαντικό Διεθνές Συνέδριο στο Pudong σε συνεργασία με την Singhai Marine Services και την Columbia Shipmanagement. Αυτό το Συνέδριο προσελκύει στην Shanghai Pudong σημαντικούς εφοπλιστές από την παγκόσμια ναυτιλία, χρηματοδότες και άλλους παράγοντες της ναυτιλίας που έρχονται να ανταλλάξουν απόψεις με τους Κινέζους ηγέτες σχετικά με κρίσιμα ζητήματα της ναυτιλίας.”

Φέτος το “4th Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum – China” έφερε και πάλι σε επαφή τους διεθνείς και Κινέζους εφοπλιστές με ηγέτες της διεθνούς και Κινεζικής ναυτιλίας, από τον χώρο των τραπεζών, των εταιρειών χρηματοδοτικής μίσθωσης, των ναυπηγείων και των επενδυτών για να συζητήσουν τις ευκαιρίες για τη σύναψη συνεργασιών και κοινοπραξιών, παρουσίασε τους τρόπους βελτιστοποίησης της τεχνικής και εμπορικής διοίκησης των πλοίων και έθεσε προς συζήτηση καίρια ζητήματα για τη ναυτιλία, όπως την ασφάλεια στον κυβερνοχώρο και την ψηφιοποίηση, την προετοιμασία για τις νέες διατάξεις του 2020, τις γεωπολιτικές τάσεις αλλά και τις τάσεις της αγοράς που επηρεάζουν τη ναυτιλία. Ιδιαίτερη έμφαση δόθηκε στην άντληση κεφαλαίων από την Κινεζική αγορά καθώς και στη συνεργασία με Κινεζικά ναυπηγεία.

Η πλειοψηφία των ομιλητών και των συμμετεχόντων στα πάνελς είναι εμπειρογνώμονες και κορυφαία στελέχη διεθνών επιχειρήσεων και Οργανισμών. Έρχονται στη Σανγκάη με σκοπό να ανταλλάξουν απόψεις με τους Κινέζους ομολόγους τους για θέματα αποφασιστικής σημασίας για τη ναυτιλία και για την προώθηση των επιχειρηματικών και εμπορικών σχέσεων με την Κίνα.

Ως εκ τούτου, όσοι δήλωσαν συμμετοχή στο 4th Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum – China, πήραν μία υψηλού επιπέδου ενημέρωση στα ναυτιλιακά θέματα και μοναδικές ευκαιρίες δικτύωσης με σημαντικούς παράγοντες της ναυτιλίας, συμπεριλαμβανομένων σημαινόντων στελεχών από πλοιοκτήτριες εταιρείες, από ναυπηγεία, από επενδυτικές τράπεζες, από εταιρείες χρηματοδοτικής μίσθωσης καθώς επίσης διεθνών εμπόρων μεγάλων ξηρών χύδην φορτίων και ενεργειακών προϊόντων, και όλα αυτά μαζί σε μία μόνο εκδήλωση.

ΤΟ ΣΥΝΕΔΡΙΟ ΑΠΕΥΘΥΝΕΤΑΙ ΣΕ:

Στελέχη Εμπορικής Τραπεζικής & Στελέχη Εταιρειών Χρηματοδοτικής Μίσθωσης • Στελέχη Επενδυτικής Τραπεζικής • Ιδιωτικά Μετοχικά Κεφάλαια • Πλοιοκτήτες • Στελέχη Ναυπηγείων • Θεσμικούς Επενδυτές • Χρηματοοικονομικούς Συμβούλους • Αναλυτές Χρεογράφων  • Ναυλωτές & Εμπόρους Ενεργειακών & Ξηρών Χύδην Φορτίων • Διαχειριστές Πλοίων & Εφοπλιστές • Στελέχη Ασφαλιστικών Οργανισμών • Δικηγόρους και Ασφαλιστές • Οικονομικές και Ναυτιλιακές Εφημερίδες & ΜΜΕ

 

Kαλωσόρισμα:

• κ. Terence Zhao, President – Singhai Marine Services – Conference Co-Chairman
• κ. Andreas Hadjipetrou, Managing Director – Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd. – Conference Co-Chairman.

Andreas welcomed all participants on behalf of Columbia ship management. He expressed Columbias’ full commitment to promote the Capital Link conference in Shanghai aiming to strengthen the already solid links between Chinese and foreign companies and create new partnerships. He noted that the selection of topics but especially the distinguished speakers and panelists safeguard a successful conference with interesting presentations, discussions and debates. He thanked all participants, sponsors, Capital Link and Singhai for their support and contribution.

• κ. Nicolas Bornozis, President – Capital Link, καλωσόρισε τους παρευρισκόμενους και ευχαρίστησε τη Shanghai Pudong New Area Commission of Commerce για την υποστήριξή τους στο Συνέδριο. Ανέφερε επίσης ότι σε ένα διάστημα τεσσάρων ετών το Capital Link Forum έχει εδραιωθεί ως μία πλατφόρμα κλειδί που φέρνει σε επαφή ηγέτες της ναυτιλίας από την Κίνα και το εξωτερικό για να ανταλλάξουν απόψεις και πληροφορίες, να δικτυωθούν και δημιουργώντας νέες επαφές να συνάψουν νέες συνεργασίες. Φέτος, το Συνέδριο πραγματοποιείται στο πλαίσιο των όλο και περισσότερο αυξανόμενων κανονιστικών εξελίξεων, των ταχύτατων τεχνολογικών αλλαγών και των νέων τάσεων της αγοράς που πιθανόν να έχουν μεταμορφωτικό χαρακτήρα για τη ναυτιλία.

Επίσημος χαιρετισμός: κα. Dong Xiao Ling, Vice Chairman – Shanghai Pudong New Area Commission of Commerce

 

Εισαγωγικά σχόλια: κ. Jeff Ji, Managing Director of Shipping – ICBC Financial Leasing

 

Κεντρικός Ομιλητής: Dr. Martin Stopford, Non–Executive President of Clarkson Research Services Limited, ο οποίος ανέπτυξε το θέμα:

“Αποδεχόμενοι την Νέα Εποχή για τη ναυτιλία και την κατασκευή πλοίων”

O Dr. Martin Stopford τόνισε ότι: “The shipping market is still struggling, but the fundamentals are looking better. His main focus was on reviewing the actions needed to deal with the major structural changes facing the shipping and shipbuilding industries in the coming years”.

 

ΘΕΜΑΤΟΛΟΓΙΑ ΤΩΝ ΠΑΝΕΛΣ ΣΥΖΗΤΗΣΕΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΩΝ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΣΕΩΝ

 

Παρουσίαση: “Ευκαιρίες & Κίνδυνοι στη Ναυτιλιακή Αγορά: Ανάλυση των καθοριστικών παραγόντων”

κ. Charlie Hockless, Head of Singapore – VesselsValue, presented on the potential opportunities and risks in shipping. This was a data based approach to how values had moved in the short term, where the assets were in sense of their position in the value cycle, but also how demand and supply had grown over the last year for all vessel types. Mr Hockless cited opportunity within Aframax Tankers, and the Large and Midsize LNG space.

κ. Hockless was less positive on big ticket tonnage, particularly in the Bulker and Tanker sector. Whilst there is still opportunity when timed correctly, the larger ships in most sectors are chronically oversupplied and, are at or approaching their long term median values.

 

Πάνελ συζήτησης: “2020 – Αναμένεται αναταραχή στη ναυτιλία?”

Συζήτηση μεταξύ κορυφαίων παραγόντων της ναυτιλίας σχετικά με τον ενδεχόμενο αντίκτυπο των νέων κανονισμών για τα καύσιμα χαμηλής περιεκτικότητας σε θείο

• Διαθεσιμότητα καυσίμων για τα πλοία, Συμβατότητα, Τυποποίηση και Τιμολόγηση καυσίμων
• Κίνδυνοι δημιουργίας διαταραχών στην αγορά, στρατηγικές και επιλογές με στόχο τη συμμόρφωση με τους νέους περιβαλλοντικούς κανονισμούς

 

Συντονιστής: κ. Per Askeland, Regional Finance Manager GSS – DNV GL

Ομιλητές:

• κ. Sverre Bjørn Svenning, Director Maritime Research -Fearnley AS
• κ. Andreas Hadjipetrou, Managing Director – Columbia Shipmanagement
• Captain Gerry Larsson-Fedde, Vice President Marine Operations Costa Group Asias – Costa Crociere S.p.A.
• κ. Christopher L. Hall, Managing Director, SCB Hong Kong – The American P&I Club
• κ. Andrew Knox, Managing Director – TOTAL Lubricants Hong Kong Limited; Asia Pacific General Manager – Marine Lubricants

 

Ο κ. Per Askeland, Regional Finance Manager GSS – DNV GL, τόνισε ότι: “The gobal 0.50% suphur car will enter into force in 2020, and more than 70 000 ships will be affected by the regulation. Actually the whole shipping industry will be affected”. Beyond the expended environmental footprint, ranging from increased fuel cost and different fuel mix to a change in the operational patterns of ships and the impact on asset values. Will this represent a Market Disruption in the industry? The topic was discussed by a panel of industry experts covering shipping analysis, insurance, fuel producers, ship management and not at least shipowners. The overall conclusion is that there are still a number of uncertainties related to the Sulphur cap implementation.”

Ο κ. Sverre Bjørn Svenning, Director Maritime Research -Fearnley AS, τόνισε ότι: “The switch to LSFO/MGO in 2020 caused engine blackouts, stranded vessels due to lack of compliant fuels and on several occasions, vessels experienced serious engine trouble due to incompatibility between LSFO blends. In addition, it all proved quite costly as bunkers prices shot up. For trade and normal operations, luckily so many ships were fitted with scrubbers.

In aftermath it is ironic that an entire industry was so ill-prepared given the fact that the industry had known for more than a decade that this regulation would come. It was all a big mess.”

 

Ο κ. Andreas Hadjipetrou, Managing Director – Columbia Shipmanagement, highlighted that whilst we do expect to face a challenging transition period, it is expected that operators who have done their homework correctly and started early the implementation process will not face any major issues. He mentioned that all ships managed by Columbia will be ready to comply with the regulation well before the year end. As a winner of the 2020 regulation as well as future regulations coming up, he sees the environment and the future generations as inevitably shipping will become more environmentally friendly, cleaner, more transparent with better technology and higher connectivity.

 

Ο Captain Gerry Larsson-Fedde, Vice President Marine Operations Costa Group Asias – Costa Crociere S.p.A., τόνισε ότι: “After to the implementation of the 0,5% Sulphur cap in Chinese ECA in October 2018 and the resent announcement of the ban of open loop scrubbers (EGCS) in major Chinese ports and waterways, Costa has made modifications to their currents fleet in Asia to be able to carry and use different types of fuel as HFO,MGO and Low Sulphur Fuel Oil. He also stated that Costa Asia has done several improvements to reduce the fuel consumption, like developing less fuel intensive itineraries and upgrading the vessels with more energy efficient technology. Finally he talked about the potential safety risk of not allowing vessels to use open loop scrubbers all the way to the pier. The vessels will have to do fuel changeovers prior to entering the ports, with the risk of engine failures in areas with high traffic congestion, this is especially relevant for cargo vessels with less redundancy than cruise vessels.”

 

κ. Christopher L. Hall, Managing Director, SCB Hong Kong – The American P&I Club, discussed the marine insurance implications of IMO 2020. In particular, there are concerns that fuel blending and compatibility issues may lead to an increase in claims, including possibly casualties.  There could also be fuel-related disputes with bunker suppliers and charterers, both of which could require FD&D legal assistance from the Clubs.  Nothing is really certain except uncertainty.  Will it be “Armageddon” or another “Y2K?  The best advice is:  “hope for the best but prepare for the worst.” Experts across the industry agree that now the time to make careful preparations.  The clubs remain ready to assist with this on the insurance front.

 

Ο κ. Andrew Knox, Managing Director – TOTAL Lubricants Hong Kong Limited; Asia Pacific General Manager – Marine Lubricants, τόνισε ότι: “The introduction of the IMO 2020 Sulfur Cap regulation is arguably the most significant challenge the industry has faced with regards to how ships are powered since the transition from coal to fuel oil.

From January 1 2020, vessel operators will need to have either fitted a scrubber system or switched to a compliant low sulfur fuel.

Of course, these changes will subsequently impact how operators lubricate their engines. For both two stroke and four stroke engines, there will subsequently be a shift from the traditional high BN cylinder to lower BN products.

Now is the time to plan this change over.”

 

Παρουσίαση: “Ο αντίκτυπος των εμπορικών κυρώσεων στην Παγκόσμια Ναυτιλία και τη Χρηματοδότηση”

Τα σχόλια της ενότητας πραγματοποιήθηκαν από τον κ. Lianjun Li, Partner – ReedSmith Richard Butlers, ο οποίος τόνισε ότι: “Sanctions risks have become an increasingly important consideration for shipping companies and banks with exposure to international shipping market. With the introduction of “secondary sanctions” by the US, non-US persons should also be made aware of the potential sanctions risks when dealing with US sanctioned persons/countries. Implementation of sanctions compliance policy is therefore fundamental to parties involved in cross-border shipping transactions. Thorough due diligence check by a ship owner is also inevitable to identify any sanctioned parties involved in the chain of transaction. Enforcement actions are becoming aggressive and non-compliance with sanctions regimes may lead to severe consequences.”

 

Πάνελ συζήτησης: “Κινεζικά ναυπηγεία & Πλοιοκτήτες από τη ναυτιλία παγκοσμίως: Αναζητώντας τις λύσεις για το νέο τοπίο του 2020”

(με ποιους τρόπους μπορούν να συνεργαστούν τα Κινεζικά Ναυπηγεία, οι Κινεζικές Εταιρείες Χρηματοδοτικής Μίσθωσης και οι Πλοιοκτήτες από όλες τις ναυτιλιακές αγορές παγκοσμίως με στόχο να βρουν λύσεις σχετικά με τους νέους περιβαλλοντικούς κανονισμούς, τις καινοτομίες στην τεχνολογία και στον σχεδιασμό των πλοίων που πρόκειται να κατασκευαστούν)

 

Συντονιστής: κα. Han Deng, Senior Associate – Reed Smith LLP

Ομιλητές:

• κ. Chen Tao, Vice Chairman – AVIC Dingheng; Vice President – AVIC Ship
• κ. Carlos Pena, Commercial Director – C Transport Maritime S.A.M.
• κ. Liu Minjie, Deputy General Manager Finance – China Merchants Industry Holding
• κ. Li Jiatu, Marketing Director – CSIC Leasing Co., Ltd
• κ. George A. Kaklamanos, S&P Managing Director – TMS Group of Companies
• κ. Xu Gang, General Manager – Sumec Marine Co,. LTD

 

Ο κ. Chen Tao, Vice Chairman – AVIC Dingheng; Vice President – AVIC Ship, τόνισε ότι: “1. The IMO 2020 new regulation means challenge and also opportunity to shipyard.

2. Shipyard need to be more cooperative and innovative with the owners to adopt new design, technology and

equipments to meet the new regulation.

3. AVIC Ding Heng is optimistic about the future chemical tank market due to its abundant experience in delivering ships with fuel gas supply system (FGSS).”

 

Ο κ. Carlos Pena, Commercial Director – C Transport Maritime S.A.M., τόνισε ότι: “The upcoming IMO 2020 regulation will be a big challenge for the whole industry and as a manager, C Transport Maritime, has clients that we are installing scrubbers for as well as clients who will be opting to bunker with compliant fuel. Whichever route our clients choose we will support their decisions and adjust the management of their vessels accordingly always taking the utmost care of their assets. It is impossible to say what is the right or wrong choice seeing that there is still a high degree of uncertainty surrounding availabilities of both high and low sulphur fuels, pricing of the fuels as well as the functional capabilities of scrubbers. What is more certain is that the IMO 2020 regulations will be a disruptor to the market and a significant amount of tonnage days should come out of the market for preparations in relation to tank cleaning, scrubber installations including associated days for deviations for the installations as well as for bunkering with compliant fuels.”

 

Ο κ. Liu Minjie, Deputy General Manager Finance – China Merchants Industry Holding, τόνισε ότι: “The Capital Link International Shipping Forum is highly recognized and appreciated in China. It was an excellent opportunity to participate panel discussion and get indepth knowledge. Ranging from manufacturing of offshore engineering equipments to the luxury cruises end, we are uniquely positioned to offer long term solutions for our customers.”

 

Ο κ. George A. Kaklamanos, S&P Managing Director – TMS Group of Companies, τόνισε ότι: “Yπάρχουν ενδείξεις ότι οι τιμές των νεότευκτων θα συνεχίσουν να αυξάνονται όχι μόνο λόγω των επερχόμενων κανονισμών του 2020 αλλά και λόγω της τιμής του ατσαλιού.

Επίσης παρατήρησε οτι μια τάση που είναι υπό ανάπτυξη είναι η ενοποίηση κρατικών Κινεζικών ναυπηγείων ούτως ώστε να γίνουν πιο ανταγωνιστικά και να ανταποκριθούν στις ανάγκες των πελατών τους.

Στη συνέχεια της συζήτησης, δήλωσε ότι οι διεθνείς πλοιοκτήτες που σκέπτονται να τοποθετήσουν μια νέα παραγγελία στην Κίνα πρέπει να λάβουν υπ’ όψιν τους όχι μόνο παράγοντες υψίστης σημασίας όπως η τιμή, η παράδοση και οι όροι πληρωμής αλλά και παράγοντες όπως η ελκυστική χρηματοδότηση και συγκεκριμένα από Κινεζικούς Οίκους Χρηματοδοτικής Μίσθωσης οι οποίοι έχουν οξύ ενδιαφέρουν να δημιουργήσουν συναλλαγές, πλοία υψηλών τεχνικών προδιαγραφών κατασκευασμένα σύμφωνα με τους νέους κανονισμούς καθώς και εξαιρετικές υπηρεσίες ελέγχου ποιότητας μετά την παραλαβή.”

 

Ο κ. Xu Gang, General Manager – Sumec Marine Co,. LTD, τόνισε ότι: “It is more than a technical issue. It brought us significant affect to the daily operation of the ships in both technical management and PNL, and there is too many uncertainty. The shipowners are not clear about which direction to go, so lots of them keep watching before they place order. Such scenario did not appear before.

As a shipyard, we respect the market, we are willing to stand together with our clients to find out the solution addressing the changes, for example, we have the solution to fit scrubber or scrubber-ready as option to our Crown82 and Crown63 bulk carriers. We will keep improving the quality of ships, to integrate new technologies to increase reliability and efficiency of ships, to reduce fuel consumption, to reduce OPEX, to reduce emission. Anyway we have the responsibility to protect our environment.”

 

Παρουσίαση: “Η Τεχνολογία και ο μεταμορφωτικός χαρακτήρας της στη ναυτιλία”

Ψηφιοποίηση, Ασφάλεια του Κυβερνοχώρου, Τεχνολογία Blockchain κλπ.

Τα σχόλια της ενότητας πραγματοποιήθηκαν από τον κ. Andreas Chrysostomou, Chief Strategy Officer – Tototheo Maritime.

 

Παρουσίαση: “Χόνγκ Κόνγκ – Ενημέρωση σχετικά με τις εξελίξεις στην πρωτοβουλία «One Belt One Road»”

Τα σχόλια της ενότητας πραγματοποιήθηκαν από τον κ. Benjamin Wong, Head of Transport & Industrial Sectors – InvestHK, ο οποίος τόνισε ότι: “With the GDP almost the same as the entire Republic of Korea, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is the fastest growing Bay Area in the world. As one of the starting points of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the GBA is an important support pillar for the Belt & Road Initiatives by means of two-way opening up. Blessed with the Outline Development Plan promulgated in Feb 2019, Hong Kong is underpinned as international financial, transportation and trade centres and continue to provide high-end maritime services.”

 

Παρουσίαση: “Κύπρος – Το Νέο Ενεργειακό Τοπίο στην Νοτιοανατολική Μεσόγειο – Επιχειρηματικές & Εμπορικές Ευκαιρίες για τη Ναυτιλία”

Τα σχόλια της ενότητας πραγματοποιήθηκαν από την κα. Natasa Pilides, Shipping Deputy Minister to the President – Republic of Cyprus, η οποία τόνισε ότι: “The positive economic outlook of Cyprus was a result of the strategic focus on key sectors of the economy, such as shipping, energy and services, according to Ms Pilides. The flourishing Cyprus shipping industry has reached new levels in terms of its Register’s tonnage capacity, the number of people employed in the sector, the number of companies based in Cyprus as well as the range and quality of services offered by the resident industry. The recent discoveries of natural gas resources offshore Cyprus, confirm the strategic potential of the eastern Mediterranean region and the shipping prospects emanating from energy related activities.

 

The Shipping Deputy Minister of Cyprus stated that ‘At the Shipping Deputy Ministry, providing top quality public services to the shipping industry is our highest priority. In fact, the expertise and customer-orientated, proactive approach of maritime specialists in both the private and the public sector are the driving force of the Cyprus maritime cluster. This, together with a unique set of competitive advantages has allowed Cyprus to grow and develop into a world-class maritime centre.”

 

Πάνελ συζήτησης: “Κινεζικό Χρηματοδοτικό Leasing – Διαρκής ανάπτυξη και περαιτέρω προοπτικές”

Συντονιστής: κ. Conor Warde, Partner – Mayer Brown

Ομιλητές:

• κ. Lu Zhendong, Deputy Head of Shipping – Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
• κ. Jack Xu, Deputy Head of Shipping – CMB Financial Leasing Co. Ltd.
• κ. Bill Guo, Executive Director, Shipping – ICBC Financial Leasing
• κ. Jerry Yang, CEO, Shipping, Offshore & Logistics – Minsheng Financial Leasing

Ο κ. Lu Zhendong, Deputy Head of Shipping – Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., τόνισε ότι: “Shipping loan will still be main part of shipping finance. We saw the banks support to main and key players every much. However, the landscape for raising capital for shipping industry shall contain many means or resources of funds with different preference.

It is positive thing for shipping industry to take advantage of the capital of Chinese leasing companies to develop and operate.

In 2019, Chinese leasing industry may still be very active in the market with larger players and large cargo and cash flow.

There are more chance for us to develop with project of LNG and Ethane driven by demands at Chinese market and also other replacement demands for Ropax and other sectors, as well as the opportunity for finance cruise ships.”

 

Πάνελ συζήτησης: “Επιλογές για τη συγκέντρωση κεφαλαίου για τους Πλοιοκτήτες από τη ναυτιλία παγκοσμίως”

Συντονιστής: κ. Vincent Xu, Partner – Stephenson Harwood

Ομιλητές:

• κα. Uta Urbaniak, CFO – Epic Gas
• κ. Peter Schulz, CFO – Pacific Basin Shipping Limited
• κ. Gautam Khurana, CFO – Precious Shipping
• κ. Vikram Hiranandani, Director of Corporate Finance – Scorpio Bulkers & Scorpio Tankers
• κ. Harrys Kosmatos, Chief Development Officer – Tsakos Energy Navigation

 

Ο κ. Vincent Xu, Partner – Stephenson Harwood, τόνισε ότι: “We have the privilege of participating in the rapid development of China’s ship finance business as Chinese financial institutions play an increasingly significant role in global capital markets. We see more operational lease transactions whereby lenders assume residual value risk of assets as well as more time charters on an index linked basis. Players in some niche sectors are considering collaboration via joint venture or merger/ acquisition at listed company level. Chinese market is exciting. To catch up with its growth, you are advised to prepare capital (本钱), improve skill (本事) and yourself should be there (本人).”

 

Η κα. Uta Urbaniak, CFO – Epic Gas, τόνισε ότι: “Epic Gas successfully raised over $300 million of traditional bank debt with European banks over the last 4 years despite a general tightness in the ship finance market. We expanded into the Japanese finance market at competitive terms and are keen to grow our financing sources further.”

 

Ο κ. Gautam Khurana, CFO – Precious Shipping, τόνισε ότι: “More loose monetary conditions should stimulate the global economy and the demand for dry bulk commodities. A resolution of the US China trade war should provide a further boost of confidence to markets. This together with improved supply-side fundamentals for the dry-bulk market should help sustain a gradual improvement in earnings.  Precious Shipping, with its modern fleet, is well positioned to capture what we believe will be a stronger market over the next few years. We are encouraged by the strong growth of Asian ship financiers which have to a great extent filled the vacuum left by European lenders who have exited the business.”

 

Ο κ. Vikram Hiranandani, Director of Corporate Finance – Scorpio Bulkers & Scorpio Tankers, τόνισε ότι: “In today’s time, where bank financing options are limited, it is very encouraging to see several leasing institutions in China financing international shipowners. Such positive support has certainly helped in filling the gap created by the traditional shipping banks. It has now become more important and relevant to diversify one’s capital sources as we see value in ensuring that financing appetite still exist within our different financing sources.”

 

O κ. Peter Schulz, CFO – Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, τόνισε ότι: “Shipowners today have a plethora of options to finance their businesses, ranging from traditional secured bank financing, alternative sources, such as sale-and leasebacks as well as the capital markets. Capital discipline is however suffering as a result of the easy availability of finance.  Oversupply and new environmental regulation means that a newbuild ordered today especially with an old, HSFO optimized engine is unlikely to make a lifetime return covering its capital costs.  Providers of finance, whether banks or alternatives, should be weary of funding newbuilds if they want to avoid large losses in the future and a repeat of previous busts.

However, when funding existing fleets, we believe that the bank market remains the most attractive form of long term secured financing, still offering better flexibility and cost compared to the alternatives. Access to bank financing on second hand ships is one of the key competitive advantages in today’s shipping market and a key differentiator between strong and weak companies.”

 

Πάνελ συζήτησης: “Οι Παγκόσμιες Ναυτιλιακές Τράπεζες & Η Διαθεσιμότητα Χρηματοδότησης για τη Διεθνή & Κινεζική Ναυτιλία”

Συντονιστής: κ. Ji Woon Kim, Shareholder – Vedder Price

Ομιλητές:

• κ. Darryl Tan, Head of Transportation and Logistics, Asia Pacific – ABN AMRO
• κ. Logan Chong, Managing Director Transport Sector, Investment Banking Asia Pacific – BNP Paribas
• κ. James Tong, Managing Director, Head, Asia Pacific & Japan, Global Shipping & Logistics – Citi
• κ. Nicolas Duran, Partner & Director Investment Banking – Fearnley Securities
• κα. Maureen Xiang, Director – Standard Chartered Bank

 

Ο κ. Ji Woon Kim, Shareholder – Vedder Price, τόνισε ότι: “The Global Shipping Banks’ panel demonstrated that bank financing will continue to be a valuable source of financing in the shipping sector. While alternative sources of capital continue to grow in their own right, the banks maintained their continued commitment to the shipping sector and steadfast commitment to the long-term relationships in the industry as financial partners and advisors. The competition to lend to the top borrowers remains fierce, but there may be room for creativity from the traditional bank financing model to make bank financing available to a wider range of borrowers.”

 

Ο κ. Darryl Tan, Head of Transportation and Logistics, Asia Pacific – ABN AMRO, τόνισε ότι: “Commercial bank lending will continue to feature as an important source of capital to the shipping industry. Regulatory pressure had resulted in several traditional shipping bankers leaving the scene, but it had also inspired different pockets of liquidity from non-bank institutions. ABN AMRO remains committed to the shipping sector and we continue to be a leading financial partner to our clients, providing both innovative advisory and financing solutions to help grow their business. With shipping and environmental regulations becoming an important topic, we are also eager to help our shipping clients make the energy transition for greater sustainability in their business.”

 

Ο κ. Nicolas Duran, Partner & Director Investment Banking – Fearnley Securities, τόνισε ότι: “There is no doubt that we’ve seen a flight to quality in the last two years when it comes to senior debt from traditional lenders. More lenders are focusing on fewer borrowers and this has created a formidable downward price pressure on margins for the lucky few sitting in the banks’ crosshairs.

Plenty of bankable, private shipowners have been left faced with fewer and more costly financing options, while large listed entities, rightly or wrongly, are pushing down their cost of funding. That a sustainable market for alternative lenders is here to stay for the foreseeable future seems fairly obvious to us. Unfortunately, as cost of funding is an important factor in weathering the cycles, it will be interesting to see who is left standing after the next down-cycle.”

 

Η κα. Maureen Xiang, Director – Standard Chartered Bank, τόνισε ότι: “SCB is still very committed to lending in shipping industry and the appetite remains. But in the meantime we will focus more and more on clients who have good risk control and are risk resistant, because by nature shipping is a cyclical industry. Competition for good names will become more and more fierce which will drive down pricing but in the meantime with Basel 4 being implemented for some banks the pricing will inevitable increase, therefore the net net impact is yet to be seen. Relationship still matters and sometimes outweighs a single transaction’s profitability but overall we look at the relationship return as a whole.”

 

Πάνελ συζήτησης: “Συνολική προσέγγιση: Από την Οπτική των Πλοιοκτητών της Διεθνούς ναυτιλίας”

Συντονιστής: κ. Christoforos Bisbikos, Partner – Watson Farley & Williams

Ομιλητές:

• κ. Philippos Philis, Founder & Managing Director – Lemissoler Navigation Co. Ltd.
• κ. Christopher Cheng, Managing Director – LD Bulk (Louis Dreyfus Armateurs)
• κ. Eddie Valentis, CEO – Pyxis Tankers
• κ. Stamatis Tsantanis, Chairman & CEO – Seanergy Maritime Holdings
• κ. Bing Chen, President & CEO – Seaspan Ltd.

 

Ο κ. Philippos Philis, Founder & Managing Director – Lemissoler Navigation Co. Ltd., τόνισε ότι: “International shipowners are more and more frequently seen in Asia, particularly China, mainly due to the financing opportunities made available by the leasing companies. Nevertheless, to my understanding this form of funding is primarily addressed to companies of sizeable balance sheets. With limited traditional mortgage financing and a shortage of available equity to be invested in shipping assets, the order book is at historically low levels which is very positive for the supply side. Further, we are heading towards the implementation of low sulphur fuel and eventually towards additional measures to meet the CO2 targets that the industry has committed to gradually achieve by 2050. These regulations may require radical changes in our industry. More efficient vessels, alternative and more environmentally friendly fuels and many other technical and operational measures. Having the above in mind in addition to the limited or expensive funding available, the industry will struggle to meet the expectations of politicians.

The market fundamentals are positive towards a better freight market, yet black swans such as the Vale incident and the 102 words of Mr Trump’s tweets are keeping the market under pressure. Despite the fact that the iron ore deficit should have had an impact only on Capes and less on the other dry bulk sectors, the freight market reacted negatively affecting the entire sector. My opinion is that we, as shipowners, are losing our positive sentiment and are compromising in chartering our vessels below their break even point. The dry bulk sector is far below the mid cycle freight rates and the vessels are far behind from achieving a decent profit yet ironically are fully employed. It is already over a decade where owners are struggling for survival, it is therefore time for shipowners to reconsider their chartering strategies.”

 

Ο κ. Eddie Valentis, CEO – Pyxis Tankers, τόνισε ότι: “Year 2019 marks the 11th anniversary since the shipping crisis started. Except for limited periods, 2015 for tankers and 2017-18 for bulk carriers, market conditions have been extremely challenging.  Paradoxically, during this time, two major environmental regulations came in force which subject shipping companies to significant expenditures and uncertainties, especially in the case of IMO 2020.  We need a shipping industry with a strong voice to protect shipowners’ interests worldwide. It is imperative that besides our local shipowner associations, we should all embrace and empower international associations, such as, INTERTANKO, INTERCARGO, ICS and BIMCO to protect our interests against regulations which could be poorly crafted, planned and executed.”

 

Ο κ. Stamatis Tsantanis, Chairman & CEO – Seanergy Maritime Holdings, τόνισε ότι: “Παραμένουμε αισιόδοξοι για την αγορά των  Capesize το 2019 και το 2020, παρά την πρόσφατη προσωρινή πτώση της αγοράς. Η δραστική πτώση των παραδόσεων νεότευκτων πλοίων σε συνδυασμό με την αναμενόμενη μείωση του διαθέσιμου στόλου λόγω των μετασκευών για την εγκατάσταση των συστημάτων καθαρισμού καυσαερίων («scrubbers»), ιδίως στα μεγαλύτερα πλοία όπως τα Capesize, αναμένεται να οδηγήσουν σε σημαντικό περιορισμό του προσφερόμενου τονάζ, το οποίο θα έχει ως αποτέλεσμα την αύξηση των ναύλων κατά το δεύτερο εξάμηνο του 2019.

Στις αρχές του 2019, βιώσαμε μια απότομη πτώση της αγοράς, κυρίως, λόγω της  καταστροφής που έγινε στην Βραζιλία από την πτώση του φράγματος του Brumadinho. Οι κύριοι λόγοι που θεωρούμε ότι θα επηρεάσουν την αγορά το 2019, είναι οι πολιτικές και οι εμπορικές σχέσεις μεταξύ ΗΠΑ και Κίνας, η διαθεσιμότητα των φορτίων σιδηρομεταλλεύματος από την Βραζιλία, και οι επιπτώσεις στον παγκόσμιο στόλο από την επερχόμενη εφαρμογή των περιβαντολλογικών κανονισμών του ΙΜΟ 2020. Θεωρούμε πως οι Η.Π.Α. και η Κίνα κλείνουν προς μια εμπορική συμφωνία καθώς επίσης αναμένουμε πως η κατάσταση στην Βραζιλία θα εξομαλυνθεί μέσα στο δεύτερο εξάμηνο του 2019.”

 

Πάνελ συζήτησης: “Συνολική προσέγγιση: Από την Οπτική των Κινέζων Πλοιοκτητών”

Συντονιστής: κ. Terence Zhao, President – Singhai Marine Services

Ομιλητές:

• κ. Xu Ting Hui, Deputy Director, The Shipping Business Management Planning Office – China Merchants Group
• κ. Zheng Yanbing, Manager, Process Management Division information & Section – COSCO Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd
• κ. Li Duo Zhu, Chairman – Dingheng Shipping
• κ. Su Bin, CEO – Shandong Marine Energy CO., Ltd
• κ. Fu Jian, Deputy General Manager – Shandong Shipping Corporation

 

Ο κ. Terence Zhao, President – Singhai Marine Services, τόνισε ότι: “2020 Sulphur Cap and market uncertainty such as the US-China trade friction make global economy unpredictable. The Chinese Shipowners provided their views on the latest development and trends in international trade, dry bulk commodities and energy markets. To stay ahead is challenging and require long term strategies. Raising capital, assets investment, maritime crewing, China maritime education and most importantly sustainability were shared. Singhai Marine supports the event as a partner of the forum and supply quality Chinese seafarers to the international shipowners.”

 

O κ. Xu Ting Hui, Deputy Director, The Shipping Business Management Planning Office – China Merchants Group, τόνισε ότι: “The Shipping Business Management Planning Office of China Merchants Group is the shipping business management platform of the group. Shipping is the traditional and main industry of the group. After many years development, it also ranks second among non-financial shipowners. We currently are the largest VLCC owner and VLOC owner in China and world, which forms a special business structure covering oil tankers, dry bulk carriers, gas transportation and special transportation. New era, new shipping. We are based on the strategic principle of the group, by adhering to long-term strategies, seizing present opportunities, focusing on technology-driven development and embracing changes, we will continue to deepen reform and speed up innovation to gain quality-and-effectiveness growth within a matching development scale, and we will advocate “green, innovative, scientific and technological” approach to lead new shipping. We will constantly improve the quality of our operations and services, maintain a rational expansion fleet, and spare no efforts to build ourself as a globally competitive and world-leading conglomerate.”

 

O κ. Su Bin, CEO – Shandong Marine Energy CO., Ltd, τόνισε ότι: “We are not optimistic for the shipping industry as well as gas carrier sector for at least next three years according to the slowing down of global economic development.

The competition for the gas carrier sector including LNG/LPG will be very fierce in the near future as more traders started to order their own vessels instead of chartering from ship owners. Additionally, lots of newbuilding deliveries makes the market worse.

Shandong Marine Energy & Pacific Gas is turning into a clean energy supply chain company with shipping, trading, warehouse and logistics business which follows Belt and Road strategy initiated by China.”

 

Τελικές παρατηρήσεις: κ. Zhang Ye, President – Shanghai Shipping Exchange.

 

ΑΠΟΝΟΜΗ ΤΟΥ

«2019 CAPITAL LINK CHINA SHIPPING LEADERSHIP AWARD»

 

Το Capital Link China Shipping Leadership Award στοχεύει στην αναγνώριση της πολύτιμης συνεισφοράς των προσωπικοτήτων που μέσα από την καταξιωμένη μακρόχρονη πορεία τους συνέβαλαν αποφασιστικά στην ανάδειξη της Κινεζικής Ναυτιλίας σε ηγετική θέση στη Διεθνή Ναυτιλιακή Κοινότητα.

 

Το “2019 Capital Link China Shipping Leadership Award” απονεμήθηκε στον κ. Huang Youfang, D.E., President – Shanghai Maritime University; Dean – Institute of China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone Supply Chain; President – China Institute of Navigation (CIN).

 

Το βραβείο δίνεται ως αναγνώριση του έργου του, στη Ναυτιλιακή Εκπαίδευση και στον ευρύτερο κλάδο της Ναυτιλίας. Υπό την ηγεσία του κ. Huang Youfang το Shanghai Maritime University έχει επιτελέσει μοναδικό έργο στη ναυτιλιακή εκπαίδευση με ιδιαίτερη επίπτωση στον ευρύτερο κλάδο της ναυτιλίας δεδομένου ότι οι απόφοιτοι του Πανεπιστημίου κατέχουν ηγετικές θέσεις στην Κινεζική και διεθνή ναυτιλία. Παράλληλα ο κ. Huang Youfang κατέχει και άλλες σημαντικές θέσεις σε σημαντικούς οργανισμούς στην Κίνα με ευρύτερη επίδραση στο εμπόριο και τη ναυτιλία.

 

Ο κ. Huang Youfang, κατά τη διάρκεια της βράβευσής του τόνισε ότι:

“2019 CAPITAL LINK CHINA SHIPPING LEADERSHIP AWARD is not only a recognition of my work as a university educator and administrator, but especially a recognition of social responsibility carried by maritime education. New technology, new market orientation, new supply chain models and new service standards create an environment of new opportunity and challenge. Facing with the risks and challenges in turbulent shipping industry, Shanghai Maritime University would spare no effort to promote the cultivation of international shipping talents and the advancement of scientific research, enhancing cooperation with the domestic and international maritime organization, shipping companies and well-known universities.

‘The new trends of port and shipping industry development in the new era’

 

1. The port and shipping industry will be transformed towards the integration of the global supply chain. The resources of the supply chain will be cost-effectively allocated by promoting the combination of logistics, commercial activities, finance and information with the port and shipping industry.

 

2. The port and shipping industry should be jointly developed with the construction of the global free trade areas and free trade ports for strategic update and the innovation of operational services.

 

3. In this new era, the port and shipping industry will lead the innovation and application of new technologies like the 5G, Big data and AI (Artificial Intelligence).”

Το “2018 Capital Link China Shipping Leadership Award”, απενεμήθη στον Captain Xie Chun Lin, Managing Director – China Merchant Energy Shipping, το 2017 στον Πρόεδρο του Shanghai Shipping Exchange, κ. Zhang Ye, και το 2016 το βραβείο απενεμήθη στον κ. Yang Xian Xiang, CEO – SITC International Holdings.

ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΕΣ ΠΟΥ ΣΥΜΜΕΤΕΙΧΑΝ: 

ABN AMRO • AVIC Dingheng • AVIC Ship • Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. • BNP Paribas •     C Transport Maritime S.A.M. • China Merchants Group • China Merchants Industry Holding • Citi • Clarkson Research Services Limited • CMB Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. • Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd. • COSCO Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd • Costa Crociere S.p.A. • CSIC Leasing Co., Ltd • Dingheng Shipping • DNV-GL • Epic Gas • Fearnley Securities • ICBC Financial Leasing • InvestHK • LD Bulk (Louis Dreyfus Armateurs) • Lemissoler Navigation Co. Ltd. • Mayer Brown JSM • Minsheng Financial Leasing • Pacific Basin Shipping Limited • Precious Shipping • Pyxis Tankers • Reed Smith LLP • ReedSmith Richard Butlers • Scorpio Bulkers & Scorpio Tankers • Seanergy Maritime Holdings • Seaspan Ltd. • Shandong Marine Energy CO., Ltd • Shandong Shipping Corporation • Singhai Marine Services • Standard Chartered Bank • Stephenson Harwood • Sumec Marine Co,. LTD • The American P&I Club • TMS Group of Companies • TOTAL Lubricants Hong Kong Limited • Tototheo Maritime • Tsakos Energy Navigation • Vedder Price • VesselsValue • Watson Farley & Williams

Για περισσότερες λεπτομέρειες και εκτενείς πληροφορίες, παρακαλούμε επισκεφθείτε:

http://forums.capitallink.com/shipping/2019china/index.html