RINA Hellenic Committee hosted several leaders within the Greek shipping community on the 22^nd of November, who discussed new trends and challenges of International Shipping.

The Committee Chairman George Youroukos, Owner of Technomar Shipping Inc., opened the meeting by highlighting some of RINA’s significant achievements in 2017, such as the growth of the fleet and the success of the added value services among clients.

Mr. Youroukos emphasized that the Greek owned fleet of RINA has increased by 25% during current year and added value services, like the Infoship EGO energy performance system, as well as the Competence Management System for the assessment of seafarers, have been very successful “tools” for shipping operators that can give significant advantage in today’s competition.

Ugo Salerno, Chairman & CEO of the RINA Group gave an overview of the challenges and opportunities that Shipping is facing as part of the latest developments of global markets. Mr. Salerno focused particularly on the Chinese initiative “One Belt One Road”, while he referred extensively to the digital future of Shipping and its data-driven digital transformation.

Paolo Moretti, CCO Marine & Transport, RINA Services, updated the Members on the latest developments of RINA Marine providing information on the fleet profile and the significant projects. Among them, particular reference was made to the unique project of Carnival’s LNG fuelled  cruise ships currently under construction at Meyer Werft Shipyards in Germany and Finland, as well as to a new project on battery powered ships.

Spyros Zolotas, Area Manager, RINA Hellas, thanked the members for their continuous support that along with the cooperation of its other area clients, led to the considerable increase by 25% of RINA’s Greek and Cypriot owned fleet. This significant increase is the result of RINA’s significant investments in competent personnel and services offered in the area and worldwide.

Giampiero Soncini, Senior Advisor Consultant, RINA Services, gave a presentation on the new role of classification societies when shipping goes digital. In this rapidly changing environment, RINA is preparing tools and services to help its shipping clients be more efficient in their operations.

As a guest of the RINA Hellenic Advisory Committee, David Peel, Manager EMEA of RightShip, updated the participants on the latest developments and results of the vetting system of its organization.