09.00-9.40

Registration and Coffee in the Pre- function Area sponsored by Clyde & Co

09.40-09.45

Welcome Address

Conference Chair: Yannis Triphyllis, Board Member, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping

09.45-10.00

Keynote Address: The Future Looks Bright – Shipping Remains a Global Force

Too often, the focus is on challenges and threats rather than opportunities. However, the shipping sector is a mighty global force, powering the world’s economies and enabling businesses and communities to thrive. In this keynote, we hear how the shipping sector is faring in 2025 and look forward to the future opportunities for the sector to grow and thrive.

Presenter: George Alexandratos, Chairman, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping

10.00-10.15

Keynote Address: Bringing a New Balance to the Marine Insurance Sector

Tradition is so important to the culture of the marine insurance sector, shaping the industry for centuries. However, in the 21st century, we are in a very different world, encouraging meritocracy and modern practices alongside age-old traditions. This keynote explores key considerations for achieving balance, by embracing cultural approaches that support sustainable progress while respecting tradition.

Presenter: Vivi Kolliopoulou, President, WISTA Hellas – Insurance Manager, Angelicoussis Group

10.15-11.05

Panel Discussion: The Big Picture – Remaining Fit for Purpose- Changing Trends in Marine Insurance

In a hard market, insureds will often look to alternatives to the traditional insurance market. However, even as the market slides towards softer conditions, the questions remain over market relevance. In this session, we explore how insurance can remain fit for purpose and how it can adapt to new trading conditions, emerging markets and challenges from evolving technology. We also consider the flood of MGAs entering this space and the impact these might have on traditional structures. We also consider whether the softer market conditions in London make the Greek market rethink where it currently buys its H&M cover from and, if not, what would competing markets have to do to win the business?

Moderator: Ilias Tsakiris, Chair, Ocean Hull Committee, International Union of Marine Insurance

Panellists: Manos Lorentzos, Executive Director, Chairman, Hellenic Committee of Lloyd’s Brokers

Haris Lagios, Head of Marine, Aon Greece

Manos Sofronis, Chief Executive Officer, Oneglobal Insurance Broking

Hara Anastasatou, Risk Manager, Vafias Group

Davinia Melachrinos, Partner – Marine, McGill and Partners

11.05-11.25

Presentation: Are Marine Claims Being Redefined?

This session will investigate recent claims and identify the major trends. In an interactive session, ship owners will be encouraged to think about all the stages of a claim and how to better manage the process to get better outcomes. This will cover all sorts of claims, particularly bunkering, but also groundings and machinery claims.

Presenter: George Margetis, Chief Executive Officer, Margetis Maritime

11.25-11.55

Coffee and Networking Break sponsored by Blue Aigaion Insurance Solutions

11.55-12.10

Presentation: Snapshot of Salvage Claims in Turkish Straits

Turkish Straits and Marmara Sea are places where immediate salvage services are available by a state-owned salvors, however sometimes it may be unnecessarily expensive. Caglar Coskunsu will cover basics of salvage claims in challenging areas in Turkey.

Presenter: Caglar Coskunsu, Partner, Cavus & Coskunsu Law Firm

12.10-13.00

Panel Discussion: Debating The Hot Topics – LOF

LOF 24 was introduced last year, including some controversial new clauses.  Salvors are concerned by the concept of insurers having greater sign off powers, fearing it will cause unnecessary delay and possibly ultimately leave salvors out of pocket, while insurers welcome greater control over costs. In this panel discussion, we debate whether the industry-wide conversation is steering a course towards a broad consensus, or if it has itself run aground.

Moderator: Martin Hall, Partner, Hill Dickinson

Panellists: George Tsavliris, Non-Executive Chairman, OneGlobal Greece & Cyprus

Elias Psyllos, Vice President, T&T Salvage

Neil Roberts, Head of Marine & Aviation, Lloyd’s Market Association

Mark Beare, Regional Claims Director, UK P&I Club

Andrew Dyer, Regional Claims Director EMEA-SVP, American Club- Piraeus

Kiran Khosla, Principal Director (Legal), International Chamber of Shipping

13.00-13.40

Panel Discussion: The Dilemma for Shipowners in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

As tensions rise in the Red Sea due to Houthi rebel attacks, and with the ongoing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, ship operators face a commercial decision: whether to route vessels through the High-Risk Area or seek alternative routes. This panel will discuss how shipowners assess operational needs in relation to risk exposure, as well as the marine insurance market’s response, including coverage, premiums, and claims management.

Moderator: Nicholas Berketis, Manager, J.Kouroutis & Co. Ltd. Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers

Panellists: Spyros Vlassopoulos, Managing Director, IONIC Shipping

Despina Kalfa, General Manager, Senior Broker, Aries Marine Insurance Brokers Ltd

Damian Bischiniotis,  Senior Marine Broker, Blue Aigaion Insurance Solutions

Dr. Apostolos Papachristos, Risk Manager, Ydrogios Insurance and Reinsurance S.A.

13.40-14.30

Lunch and Networking

14.30-14.50

Case Study: Years of Wrangling Ahead? The Dali

In the immediate aftermath of the Dali’s collision in Baltimore Port, everyone became an armchair loss adjuster, with social media predictions of billions of dollars in costs, years of repair works and that nothing would be the same ever again. In a more considered fashion, this session will look at the realities and the possible implications for the marine market, asking whether the foretold financial disaster has actually become a manageable event for the market, which should be applauded for its ability to handle such claims.

Presentation: Dimitris Theodorou, Director, Emergency Response, Resolve Marine

14.50-15.10

Presentation: End of Life Care Needs Attention         

Just a few weeks after this conference, the new Hong Kong Convention on Ship Recycling will come into force. This asks owners and ship builders to consider how vessels will be handled at the end of their lives, even as the ship is built in the first place. This session will provide an overview of the new rules and the likely implications going forward.

Presenter: Alexander Freeman, Partner, Hill Dickinson

15.10-15.30

Presentation: Fire at Sea – Navigating the Complexities of Marine Fire Investigations

Marine fire investigations present a unique set of challenges that require a comprehensive blend of technical expertise, regulatory knowledge and practical experience. Forensic Investigator Tom Peat provides an insight into the complexities of marine fire investigations and the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to prioritise safety, whilst ensuring a robust investigation can be completed. Key areas covered will include the initial response requirements, the management of the investigation onboard the casualty and the detailed forensic analysis of the available evidence, through to reporting and arbitration.

Presenter: Tom Peat, Forensic Investigator, Hawkins & Associates

15.30-16.05

Panel Discussion: The Human Element – Managing Crew

The industry has an obvious duty of care to its seafaring workforce and it is in the best interests of ship owners to look after staff to ensure they have a high rate of retention. Insurers and shipowners have worked tirelessly over the years to ensure that best practice is implemented as this panel discusses- but can more be done?

Moderator: Ioanna Topaloglou, General Manager, Orion Brokers

Panellists: Alexandra Chatzimichailoglou, Senior Claims Adviser, Lawyer, Gard

David Nichol, Senior Advisor Loss Prevention & Claims, The Swedish Club

Andromachi Demetriou, Second Officer, Stenna Line

Capt. Dimitri Poulimenos, Captain, Status Maritime

16.05-16.25

Coffee and Networking Break sponsored by Blue Aigaion Insurance Solutions

16.25-16.40

Presentation: What Does the Philippines’ Magna Carta Mean for the Shipping Sector?

The Philippine authorities have introduced their own version of the Magna Carta to protect their workforce. But with Filipino crew making up some 25% of the worldwide ship crew numbers, there are some major implications for the sector. In this session, we dive into the likely impact of this new law and consider the potential practical implications.

Presenter: Holly Conway, P&I Senior Claims Executive, NorthStandard

16.40-17.15

Panel Discussion: The Trump Effect

Five months after coming into office, this session outlines the major changes brought in by the new Trump administration in the US and considers how this is impacting geopolitics and seaborne world trade. How might tariffs affect trade and what might the impact be for the next four years?

Moderator: Yannis Triphyllis, Board Member, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping

Panellists: Ino Afendouli, Director, Institute of International Relations (IDIS)

Maria Gavouneli, Director General of Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), Professor, Faculty of Law, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens

Melis Otmar, Executive Director, Head of Marine Claims London, Howden

17.15-17.35

Presentation: Fuel EU Maritime Regulation

On January 1, 2025 the new FuelEU Maritime Regulation came into full effect. This session will touch upon the practicalities and implications of FuelEU Maritime for the industry and help the audience prepare for the new requirements. 

We will explore the necessary steps companies must take to align with these new regulations, as well as the contractual implications between Owners and Charterers. 

Presenter: Eleni Antoniadou, Lawyer, Gard

17.35-17.40

Closing Remarks

Conference Chair: Yannis Triphyllis, Board Member, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping

20.00-LATE

Polygreen are proud to sponsor the Marine Insurance Greece Party 2025, which will be held at Barbarossa, Athens. All delegates are warmly invited to attend.