China-Greece Shipping Agora Convenes in Piraeus as China P&I Club Launches CPI Services (Hellas)

On June 12, 2025, the China-Greece Shipping Agora & China P&I Club Reception took place at the PPA Grand Auditorium in Piraeus, Greece. Organized by China P&I Club (CPI) and supported by the Chinese Embassy in Greece, COSCO Shipping, CCS Athens Branch, Lockton P.L. Ferrari, the event attracted over 100 participants, including the representative of Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of Greece, officials and major shipowners from both countries.

Key speakers included Mr. Fu Xuyin, the Vice Minister of Transport of China; Mr. Kostas Katsafados, Deputy Minister of Climate Change of Greece, Greek Parliament Member Elected at Piraeus; Mr. Fang Qiu, Chinese Ambassador to Greece; Mr. Lin Ji, the Executive Vice President of China COSCO Shipping; Mr. Nicholas Inglessis, the Principal of Alberta Shipmanagement (a member of the China P&I Club); and Mr. George Xiradakis, President of Association of Banking & Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping.

In his address, Capt. Xu Lirong, the Chairman of China P&I Club, highlighted the significance of China-Greece shipping cooperation. As Asia’s largest international P&I Club, CPI is boosting its global services and optimizing its business layout. The membership of Alberta Shipmanagement in 2024 underscores its international recognition. Going forward, CPI will focus on frontier shipping research, insurance innovation, and enhancing its global partner network.

A highlight of the event was the inauguration of CPI Services (Hellas), which marks China P&I Club’s official presence in Greece and ushers in a new phase in China-Greece shipping cooperation. Dr. Song Chunfeng, the Managing Director of CPI, presented the club’s global reach, core services, and contributions to shipping safety.

The event effectively served as a platform for Chinese and Greek shipping companies to exchange ideas. It deepened mutual understanding, enhanced China-Greece shipping cooperation, injecting new energy into the future of China-Greece shipping relations and global shipping industry.

CPI was established in Beijing in January 1984 and its headquarters was relocated to Shanghai in 2017. In addition to Greece, CPI has branch offices in multiple cities in the Chinese Mainland, as well as in Hong Kong, China; the United Kingdom; and Singapore. As of now, CPI’s total entered tonnage has reached 98 million GT, with members from nine countries and regions, including Greece.