One of the main attractions at this year’s TMS Tanker Conference, which takes place on October 15th at Atlantis, the Palm, Dubai, is the keynote speech of the influential Greek shipowner and chairman of Intertanko, Nikolas Tsakos. Mr Tsakos has been chairman of this important organisation which now has more than 200 members, who between them own more than 4000 tankers totalling 353 million dwt, since 2014.
Over the course of his chairmanship, Intertanko has become a more commercially focused organisation, has expanded its representation within the gas carrier sector and has also stepped up its lobbying on key issues affecting the tanker shipping business. This includes the impending introduction of the sulphur emissions cap in 2020 and the introduction of ballast water treatment systems. Mr Tsakos will use his keynote speech at the TMS Tanker Conference to set out some hard-hitting messages on the regulatory challenges facing the market and also how Intertanko has become a more relevant organisation that is better positioned to ensure the voices of tanker owners and operators are heard.
Mr Tsakos recently opened an important new maritime educational venture through the Maria Tsakos Foundation on Chios Island in Greece. The Tsakos Enhanced Education Nautical School is the first specialist private school for 14-17 year olds in Greece and aims to encourage young people to consider the maritime professions, helping reverse a decline in the number of Greek seafarers. The new school opened in September this year and already has over 20 students on the roll.
Other keynote speakers at the Tanker Conference are Sheikh Talal Al Khaled Al Sabah, chief executive of KOTC and Abdullah Bin Damithan, chief commercial officer, DP World. Session 1 which follows the keynote speakers features Capt. Abdulkareem Al Masabi, chief executive, ADNOC Logistics & Services; Capt. Anoop Kumar Sharma, chairman and managing director, The Shipping Corporation of India Limited; Tarik Al Junaidi, chief executive, Oman Shipping Company; Khamis Juma Buamim, managing director and group chief executive,
Gulf Navigation Holding and Chris Peters, chief executive, Emirates Ship Investment Company.
For more information about the conference programme please go to: www.tmstankerconference.com
