New York Shipping Conference Looking for a “New Normal”

NEW YORK, Jan. 11 — Examining key industry drivers is the focus of the 17th annual Hellenic-American and Norwegian-American Chambers of Commerce annual conference, often called the New York Shipping Conference. Entitled “Challenges & Opportunities for the Shipping Industry: Is There a New Normal?”, the conference will present the macro shipping and economic overview, the impact of increasing environmental regulation on the shipping market, the availability of capital and its many forms, the growing influence of China and India on Shipping, and shipowners’ points of view. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 8th at the Waldorf-Astoria (a new venue for this event) starting at 0815 with conference registration and coffee.

The New York Shipping Conference is being co-chaired by Brian Devine, a Partner at Blank Rome LLP and Nikolai Nachamkin, Senior Vice President DnB NOR Bank ASA. The economic picture will be presented by Ole Slorer, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, and Fotis Giannakoulis also of Morgan Stanley. Blaine Collins of Det Norske Veritas will moderate the next session on the impact of increasing environmental regulation on the shipping market, which will feature Charles Anderson of SKULD, Eric Fabrikant of Seacor Holdings, Jeffrey Lantz of the United States Coast Guard, Clay Maitland of International Registries Inc, and Arild Wegener, Counselor for the Norwegian Embassy.

Michael Timpone of Seward & Kissel, will moderate the session “Which shipowners have access to capital today? How do lending/funds/and the capital markets complement each other?” with a panel comprised of Tobias Backer of ICON Capital Corporation, Wiley Griffiths of Morgan Stanley, Ted Jadick of DnB NOR Markets, Inc and Martin Lunder of Nordea Bank.

Angeliki Frangou Chairman and CEO of Navios Group will be the featured luncheon keynote speaker.

The afternoon sessions will kick off with a discussion of the growing influence of China and India on shipping which will be moderated by John Stratakis of Poles, Tublin, Stratakis & Gonzalez LLP and featuring Keith Denholm of Eagle Shipping International (USA) LLC, John Kartsonas of Sea Advisors Fund, and Ted Petrone of Navios Corporation.

Peter Shaerf of AMA Capital Markets will moderate the next discussion offering the shipowners’ perspective on the market. The panel will include Robert Bugbee of Scorpio Tankers, Peter Evensen of Teekay Corporation, Ole Bjarte Hjertaker of Ship Finance International, and John Wobensmith of Genco Shipping & Trading.

The Conference Co-Chairmen anticipate an informative discussion of how industry forces such as the increased focus on the environment and the challenges in finance are playing a significant role in the global and shipping market. “There are pressures being placed upon the shipowner in increasingly challenging markets” stated Co-Chairman Brian Devine. “Today’s owner must balance growing regulatory challenges with a more difficult capital landscape while trying to assess the potential opportunities posed by emerging powerhouses such as China and India.”

The conference will conclude at 1700 with a networking cocktail reception sponsored by Blank Rome LLP and Jacq. Pierot, Jr. & Sons. For information on program update and registering, click on this link http://www.naccusa.org/documents/ship2011flyeremail6.pdf

Contact for either Chamber (NACC +212 885 9737 or HACC +212 629 6380) or shipping@ntcny.org

The cost for HACC/NACC members is $655 (additional members from the same company $575) and non-members is $775.

Confirmed Sponsors (as of 1/14/11)

Blank Rome LLP

Det Norske Veritas

DnB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch

GARD

Heidmar Inc.

Hill Betts & Nash LLP

Holland & Knight LLP

Jotun Paints, Inc.

Clay Maitland

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.

Nordea Bank New York Branch

Norwegian Consulate General, New York

Jacq. Pierot, Jr. & Sons, Inc.

Poles, Tublin, Stratakis & Gonzales LLP

SAS Scandinavian Airlines System

Sea Advisors Fund LLC

Seward & Kissel LLP

Southern Star Shipping Co., Inc.

Watson, Farley & Williams (New York) LLP