Turkish companies take part in Greek shipping fair

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS (AA) - An international shipping fair took place in Athens this week with the participation of 45 Turkish companies.

The international shipping show, Posidonia 2016, held every two years in Athens ended Friday. Greece holds the second largest commercial fleet in the European Union and one of the largest in the world.

The unfavorable conditions of the Greek economy as of late have reportedly not been an obstacle for Turkish businessmen in the shipping Industry.

Pamir Ozer and Kassapi Anna Maria, manager at the newly established office in Athens of the Istanbul Ship Supplier Marketing and Trading CO. Ltd, told Anadolu Agency: "We see this as a big opportunity; the Greek market is promising we think and this is why decided to open up a branch of our mother company in Athens."

Nikolaos Syrios, a Greek national living and working in Istanbul, sees Greek-Turkish cooperation in the shipping industry as promising.

“The common ‘lake’ we have, which is the Aegean Sea, helps the two countries to come even closer when it comes to the shipping industry.

“The crisis has somehow helped the two countries to come closer as several Turkish companies have shown interest in Greek marinas,” he says. “Turkish shipping companies’ employ several Greeks because of their long experience in the market and their know-how of the industry.”

“It is estimated that around 120 Greek ships visit the Turkish shipyards per year. Something that is positive for the Turkish market but unfortunate for the Greek. However, the circumstances have forced the Greek ship-owners to do so.”

According to the event organizers, participation in Posidonia 2016 increased 14 percent from two years ago. The event recorded a total 22,000 visiting professionals and 1,800 exhibitors from 90 countries.