Page 60: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2017)

Vancouver International Maritime Centre (VIMC) oices

All Images: VIMC ally what the sentiment has been, ‘you know, we didn’t including Robert Allen Naval Architects and VARD he Vancouver International even think of Canada.’ For me what is important is to Marine.

Maritime Centre (VIMC) is raise that awareness. At the same time I’m sensitive to on a mission to grow the the other established maritime centers; we are not try- Discuss a few recent successes since VIMC’s re- ing to disrupt the other maritime centers that are out establishment?

city and port into one of

T there. What we want to do is offer yet another option for AAL shipping is a multi-purpose operator, opened the world’s premiere maritime cen-

North America. If it makes business sense, Canada is a a branch in Vancouver for business development op- ters. Maritime Reporter & Engineer- major player and they need to know that. portunities and to bring the AAL brand closer to local shippers. Greystoke Marine Management, a company ing News recently spoke with Kaity

But you already have a good start, in terms of founded by ex-Teekay senior executives, established

Arsoniadis-Stein, Executive Director companies present, correct? its start-up company in Vancouver, to provide commer- of the newly re-established VIMC, for

There are a number of international shipping com- cial and technical expertise to ? nancial investors in the panies and shipping lines in Vancouver including shipping industries. her insights on the pace and direction

Teekay, Seaspan, Valles, Oak, Fairmont, Waterfront, Norton Rose Fulbright, one of the world’s largest mari- of the initiative.

Inter-Oceans, CSL, Gearbulk, GriegStar, Hanjin, China time law ? rms established a signi? cant presence in Van-

Ocean Shipping, CMA CGM, Evergreen, Seabridge, couver in January 2017.Harry Theochari, senior partner

Let’s start out easily. Why Vancouver? Why now?

Oldendorff, MSC, etc. All of the Classi? cation soci- with Norton Rose Fulbright in London attributes the de-

Why Vancouver? Projections and studies indicate that eties have a Vancouver presence and DNV GL is the cision to position into Vancouver to be based on the fore- global trade will increase and shift to the Paci? c due to largest. Furthermore, there are many agents including cast of the high demands from Asia including South East the demand of resources by China and India. Canada ACGI Shipping, Canpotex, Colley West, Compass Ma- Asia for Canada’s resources where a young population is a resource rich trading nation that spends billions on rine, Montship, Westward Shipping, Wilhelmesen, the will have high demands for resources and that Vancou- infrastructure and corridor initiatives as well as global list is extensive. ver’s maritime industry will be pivotal in helping Cana- trade agreements. Why now? Updates made in 2014 to

Some interesting facts: dian businesses continue to meet this demand.

Canada’s Income Tax Act provide additional bene? ts ? Teekay Corporation, now one of the world’s to international shipping companies based in Canada largest marine energy transportation, storage and You are the ‘tip of the VIMC spear.’ Who ? lls out and companies can perform a wide range of activities production companies moved into Canada in the the VIMC team?

in Canada without creating a taxable presence. These early 1990’s and from its Vancouver base created We have a dynamic and enthusiastic team that drives advantages are enshrined in federal legislation and have ? ve publicly traded companies and has expanded this initiative forward. I give exceptional mention to been there since the early 1990s.

into other segments such as gas and offshore. Yvonne Rankin Constantine, our Director of Interna-

Also, it should be noted that Port Vancouver is the ? Seaspan Ship Management, the largest in- tional Business Development and Marilena Kostakos largest port in Canada and the most diversi? ed in North dependent container leasing company in the world our Director of Projects. Furthermore, we have a repre-

America with over 3,000 vessel calls in 2015 and 140 can boast the largest IPO in the marine sector on sentative running our Greek Of? ce, George Giannakis. million throughput, with a strong cruise industry busi- the New York Stock Exchange, when it went public We also work with incredible consultants including Da- ness, too.

in 2005. vid Van Hemmen and Global Public Affairs. Methanex, the world’s largest producer and VIMC is fully funded by government, with govern-?

So if the Vancouver International Maritime Cen- supplier of methanol to international markets is ment funding our promotional activity for three years tre (VIMC) is intent on driving this initiative, headquartered in Vancouver including its shipping to get this off the ground. We’re working now toward a provide some insight on where you are today.

arm (a wholly owned subsidiary), Waterfront Ship- ? ve year extension of funding to give the initiative more

What we are doing is an ambitious initiative, and ping. Six of their product tankers are duel fuel, ca- time to gain support. when you look at maritime centers around the world, pable of running on methanol. it is a 10 to 20 year process to get them established.

And there is more. Vancouver can boast its very own When and why did you personally get involved

We are in year two. I believed in it before I started, and

Arbitration Association, the Vancouver Maritime Ar- in the VIMC?

two years in I believe in it even more: the potential for bitrators Association, with more than 50 arbitrators My previous position was as the President and Secre-

Vancouver is enormous. To date I’ve met with (C-Suite on the roster. And Vancouver is also home to several tary-General of the International Ship-owners Alliance executives at) more than 400 ship owners, and gener- world leading engineering and technical companies, of Canada. In my role representing ship owners to gov- 60 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • MAY 2017

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