Posidonia 2026 marked another strong milestone for HEMEXPO and the Greek maritime equipment and technology industry, reaffirming the sector’s growing capabilities, innovation capacity, and international orientation.
Throughout the exhibition, the HEMEXPO Pavilion served not only as one of the largest presences at Posidonia, but also as a dynamic platform for industry engagement, strategic dialogue and international collaboration.
A Major Collective Presence
HEMEXPO hosted one of the largest pavilions at Posidonia 2026, covering 420 sqm in Hall 3 (Stand 3.131) and bringing together 14 leading Greek maritime equipment and technology companies.
In addition to the Pavilion, HEMEXPO member companies were present across the exhibition, bringing the total HEMEXPO footprint to more than 1,000 sqm. This strong collective presence highlighted the depth, maturity, and competitiveness of Greece’s maritime manufacturing and technology ecosystem.
A Platform for Strategic Industry Dialogue
A key highlight of HEMEXPO’s participation was the event organised within the Pavilion:
“The European Industrial Maritime Strategy: Navigating the Opportunities of Strengthening and Growing the Greek and EU Maritime Industrial Base.”
The event brought together industry stakeholders to discuss Europe’s maritime industrial base. It also built on ongoing engagement with SEA Europe, reinforcing the importance of coordination for the maritime sector at European level.
Presentations were delivered by:
- Eleni Polychronopoulou, President of HEMEXPO
- Ioannis Retsas, General Director for Strategic Trade Development, Enterprise Greece
- Vassilios Demetriades, HEMEXPO Principal Advisor for EU Regulatory Policy and Government Affairs
International Engagement and High-Level Visits
Hosted in Greece, Posidonia 2026 attracted industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and delegations from across the world, creating valuable opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. Throughout the exhibition, the HEMEXPO Pavilion welcomed a wide range of distinguished visitors and international delegations, reflecting the sector’s global relevance.
Among them were the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Melina Travlou and Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, who engaged with HEMEXPO members and learned more about the capabilities and international outlook of the Greek maritime equipment industry.
The Pavilion also welcomed Nikos Androulakis, President of PASOK, representatives of the Embassy of South Africa in Greece, and a delegation from the Philippines, including Ambassador Giovanni Palec and representatives of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the country’s maritime administration under the Department of Transportation.
HEMEXPO also strengthened its long-standing cooperation with Asociación Cluster Naval Gallego through the visit of its Managing Director, Oscar Gomez, further reinforcing cross-border collaboration in maritime innovation and industrial development.
Innovation, Research and Maritime Decarbonisation
A key development was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HEMEXPO and the Hellenic Institute of Marine Technology (HIMT), strengthening the link between research and industry and supporting the development of Greece’s maritime innovation ecosystem.
The HEMEXPO Pavilion also hosted the SEASTARS project booth throughout the exhibition, providing visibility to ongoing European research in maritime decarbonisation and innovative ship design. The booth served as a meeting point for discussions with industry stakeholders and project partners.
SEASTARS and FLEETfor55 projects organised an Open Day during Posidonia 2026, presenting early results, design concepts, and collaborative pathways towards zero-emission shipping. The event brought together researchers, industry representatives, and classification society experts for an open exchange on the challenges and opportunities of maritime decarbonisation.
Engaging the Next Generation
HEMEXPO also dedicated part of its presence to the future of the sector, welcoming students from Merchant Marine Academies (AEN), members of the Young Executives Shipping (YES) Forum, and participants from the DM Mentoring Club.
These engagements provided insight into career pathways within the maritime technology sector and highlighted the importance of attracting and developing new talent for the industry’s future growth.
