HEMEXPO, stands at the forefront of the maritime industry and contributes to the global maritime sector’s advancements. Christos Papakis, Executive Director at HEMEXPO, tell Robban Assafina that the company is seeking greater collaboration on green and digital development after pushing Greek marine equipment makers to the forefront of suppliers during Posidonia 2024.

- What can you tell us about HEMEXPO, its services and vision?

HEMEXPO – the Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers and Exporters – has been at the heart of building a recognized international position of excellence for Greek maritime technology specialists since the organization was established in 2014.

The association came together to represent the interests of Greek marine equipment makers and exporters with Asia’s huge shipbuilding groups.  Today, technology supplied by member companies is installed on the vast majority of Greek owned vessels which, as the world’s biggest shipowning nation, represent a significant proportion of the global fleet.

Selling marine equipment to shipbuilders and operators requires a worldwide after-sales network able to supply spare parts 24/7 wherever they are needed and HEMEXPO and its members have been central to setting up a network of agents and pioneering partnerships with local suppliers to ensure Greek manufacturers have an international presence.

HEMEXPO has attended more than 30 major shipping exhibitions and been involved in at least ten export missions as it has expanded its influence.

- This year marks your 10th anniversary for HEMEXPO. What milestones and achievements are being highlighted from the past decade?

Our member companies have increased from an initial dozen at the outset to 32 today with the combined annual turnover of collective association members growing tenfold, from $40m on launch to $400m, over the last decade.

The future lies in digitalisation and decarbonising technologies and HEMEXPO can provide a platform for exchanging ideas and innovating new products.

HEMEXPO has come a long way in ten years and aims to go much further in the next decade. We have helped create a sector of the Greek economy that did not exist before, and an awareness worldwide of the quality of Greek marine equipment.

Now we want to work with the Greek Government and the Ministry of Shipping to create a framework program for assisting the creation of a co-operative infrastructure for the development of digital and green technologies.

- What recent collaborative projects has HEMEXPO undertaken with shipowners, shipyards and global associations?

Last year, HEMEXPO signed an agreement with classification society DNV for the assessment of energy-saving devices (ESDs) produced by member companies. DNV reviewed a makers list provided by HEMEXPO to identify solutions that could be categorized as ESDs to assess which regulatory metrics they influenced.

Far-reaching collaboration, both within Greece and internationally, remains key to HEMEXPO’s goal of promoting Greek-made marine equipment as an answer to shipping’s challenges.

A major initiative is underway as a member of SEA Europe, the Shipyards & Maritime Equipment Association, to seek EU recognition that the shipbuilding industry is crucial to the continent’s sustainability and security. The group, which represents merchant and naval shipbuilding across 16 European countries, is seeking legal and financial support from the EU.

HEMEXPO is also promoting a bilateral relationship between the shipping and shipbuilding communities in Greece and the Netherlands under a declaration of intent (DOI) signed with DAMEN Shipyards.

HEMEXPO has also allied with other associations in the Greek exporting, defense and space industries and partnered with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation in a project to create new high-value jobs. It has also worked with the Alba Graduate Business School and created an MBA for members plus tools for export credit facilitation.

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	Issue 91 of Robban Assafina (May/ June 2024)