With thousands of shipping professionals heading to Greece for Posidonia, one of the world’s most important maritime gatherings, Athens-based shipbroker Simon Ward of Ursa Shipbrokers has released an updated etiquette guide aimed at helping attendees navigate the busy week ahead.
Ward’s eight-point advisory is designed for everyone attending the event, from industry newcomers to long-time shipping executives, and focuses on balancing networking, professionalism, and social events during what is often an intense week across Athens.
One of the first reminders in the guide is simple: pace yourself. Ward notes that long nights and excessive partying can quickly affect energy, focus, and decision-making during the following day’s meetings and events. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” he advises.
The guide also places strong emphasis on respecting hosts and organisers. According to Ward, hospitality is taken seriously in Greece, and guests should show appreciation rather than taking invitations and generosity for granted simply because they are part of the shipping industry.
Another major point concerns alcohol and public behaviour. While Posidonia is known for its packed social calendar, Ward warns attendees against becoming excessively drunk at industry events, noting that public behaviour is quickly noticed in the tightly connected world of shipping.
“Everyone sees everything,” the guide states, reminding visitors that reputations travel fast in an industry where personal relationships remain extremely important.
Ward also advises attendees to avoid risky behaviour on the roads during the event week, stressing that local enforcement in Athens has become stricter and that traffic violations or reckless driving can quickly lead to penalties.
Beyond professional etiquette, the guide includes practical advice such as staying hydrated, eating properly during the busy schedule, and remaining fully engaged in conversations rather than constantly scanning the room for more important contacts. According to Ward, many professionals lose valuable networking opportunities by failing to properly focus on the people directly in front of them.
The final recommendation is a classic one for conferences and shipping gatherings alike: always carry enough business cards, as not everyone still relies entirely on digital contact-sharing tools.
Posidonia remains one of the shipping industry’s largest global events, bringing together executives, brokers, shipowners, charterers, financiers, and service providers from around the world for a week of meetings, networking, and business discussions in Athens.
