And it's all over - Who said what at Posidonia 2016

Speaking at the official opening of Posidonia Matej Zakonjšek, Head of Cabinet to Commissioner for Transport, European Commission stressed the importance of shipping economically: “The potential of shipping to bring prosperity to Europe is strong, and so is our resolve to work together with all of you to overcome any stormy seas ahead."

IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim stresses the importance of technology in shipping saying it will, “bring improvement in all the areas the IMO’s regulates, and economic viability and profitability too, that I think is part of the voyage we are taking together”.

Speaking about why it is the right to invest in secondhand bulkers. “We’re now at 30 year lows – it's a no brainer,” Stamatis Tsantanis, ceo of Synergy Maritime Holdings.

Hermann Klein coo of CPO Holding (Offen Group) on the state of containership charter rates: “It’s just a $1 per teu per day charter rate – this is nothing." Adding that this meant $25 per teu for a 25-day voyage, the equivalent of price of two gin & tonics.

Not ordering newbuildings was high on the agenda for many shipowners had Nikolas Tsakos, founder, president and ceo of Tsakos Energy Navigation, and chairman of Intertanko had his own unique take. “As you know my dislike about newbuildings…..so now in Intertanko we are coming up with a virtual newbuilding addict centre.”

“Shipping is going through some troubled waters, but it is what is. It has never been more important to innovate than now.” DNV GL president and ceo Remi Eriksen on why it is investing in digitalization for shipping.

Hong Kong Secretary for Transport and Housing Anthony Cheung courts Greek shipowners. "Our friends in Greece, if you aspire to extend your business operations to China and the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong is your trusted partner.”

Intertanko deputy md Joe Angelo on the potentially imminent ratification of the Ballast Water Management Convention. "If this happens the way IMO thinks it will, both of those countries are expected to ratify the treaty some time this month, which means it could very well come into force one year from June."