Theme: Cayman – the crossroads to the Americas

Held: Tuesday 11 March 2014 Marriott Hotel Grand Cayman

After the very successful 1st Cayman Islands Shipping Summit  held in 2013, Mare Forum and OreCoal in cooperation with the Maritime Authority of Cayman Islands (MACI) organised the 2nd edition where new ideas, opportunities and challenges facing the shipping world was explored. This year the conference specifically investigated how the Cayman Islands could take a more proactive role in this interesting, albeit volatile and exciting maritime industry. The aim was to illuminate the advantages and achievements made by the Maritime Authority of Cayman Islands.  Despite many economic challenges, MACI managed to prove itself an aggressive contender on an international level by revamping its legislation, provision of services, innovating technology and competitive pricing. In addition specific topics was examined:- the Cayman Island’s unique geographical location as the crossroads to the Americas and due to its close ties to North, Central, and South America.

– how the ship owners can best utilize these close ties for their economic advantages.

– the Cayman Islands Enterprise City and the Special Economic Zone– being among others one of its kind in the world – which is intended to foster innovation and promote entrepreneurship on the islands. This is achieved through an unprecedented system of financial and legislative incentives in a tax neutral environment, making the Special Economic Zone a unique place to set up an appropriate business in a cost effective and seamless manner.

Maritime business has always looked for ways to minimize costs while reaching the farthest corners of the world, trying to provide people with food, energy, and commodities. And it is during this conference where people of various backgrounds can come together and figure out how best to use our resources at hand to not only enhance their own profits but also benefit the environment, minimize risk, and provide cheapest and safest transportation services.

Furthermore, the summit focused on topics and issues relating to the big picture: global geopolitical considerations, global trade, energy and commodities outlook, new innovations in the shipping industry, and investments and financing.

The conference shared and debated views from shipowners, operators, charterers, traders, analysts, bankers, consultants, entrepreneurs, classification societies, regulators, port and terminal operators, the media, and other members of the maritime industry – from this region and all over the world. The summit provided an active forum for participants to network, learn, discuss, and debate the various issues concerning the maritime industry.

The speakers included:

The Honourable Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP The Premier, Cayman Islands

The Honourable Wayne Panton, MLA Minister of Financial Services, Commerce  and Environment

A. Joel Walton, JP CEO MACI

Charles Kirkconnell Director of Investor Relations, Cayman Enterprise City

Nicky Pappadakis  Chairman Emeritus Intercargo, Chairman, A.G. Pappadakis & Co.

George Tsavliris  Principal, Tsavliris Salvage Group and Chairman INTERMEPA

Jim Watson President and Chief Operating Officer of ABS Americas

Nicholas Mitsos Chairman EURAFRASIA GROUP

Alexandra Anagnostis President, Total Marine Solutions TMS

Hilary McKenzie-Cahill VP, Marketing & Business Development, Cayman Enterprise City

Philip Embiricos  Past President BIMCO

James Stenning Managing Director of Stenning & Associates

Johann Moxam General Manager,  Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co., (Cayman) Ltd

Jannis Kostoulas President MARE FORUM

Karen Kokabi Managing Director, BlueShip

McKeeva Bush United Democratic Party

Dean Tseretopoulos Director QACE

Sherice Arman Of Counsel, Maples and Calder

Basil Karatzas President, Karatzas Marine Advisors & Co

Campbell Houston Marine Money

David Wilkinson Roxburgh Environmental Ltd

Dr. Peter Tsantrizos              President and CEO ,Terragon Enviromental Technologies

Services, Commerce and Environment, Cayman Islands

Financial Services Minister Hon. Wayne Panton said Cayman’s rich maritime history has placed the island in a unique position to fulfill the needs of the industry.

“We have the advantage of not only being one of the world’s top 13 jurisdictions in the maritime industry, but we are also the fifth largest financial centre with a recognised legal and regulatory framework,” he said.