This was already the fourth time that the Ship Finance Forum was hosted by Hamburg Messe and Financial Times Deutschland. The subject was “Tomorrow’s Champions” and gave answers to the latest global financing questions in shipbuilding and shipping. More than 200 participants and eminent speakers came together on the day before SMM.

Herbert Fromme, Correspondent, Lloyd’s List and Financial Times Deutschland, to the 4. Ship Finance Forum:

„The Ship Finance Forum 2012 focuses on „Tomorrow’s Champions“, because one thing is certain: Companies will emerge from the crisis either as winners or as losers. We want to identify the relevant business drivers, to discuss the concepts and sources of finances that will determine the business tomorrow and we want to find alternatives to current ideas in the shipping industry. The answers given by the internationally renowned experts may not please everyone – but they will provide new insights. We are confident that the delegates to the Ship Finance Forum will have a clearer vision of the future by the end of the conference and before the opening of the SMM.”

Programme items:

1. Shipping’s new normal: benefiting from the new environment
   Market forecasts and new ways for shipping companies to finance projects
2. Alternative sources of financing: private equity, bonds, etc.
   Will investors and ship owners find a common basis?
3. The future of the KG model – small fry or comeback?