The Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Limassol holds 2024 Keynote Annual Event (pics)

On Thursday, 17 October, the first Keynote Annual Event of the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Limassol, took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Limassol.

With the presence of 200 Members and guests, including government and U.S. Embassy officials, military personnel and many distinguished shipping industry leaders and executives of the Cyprus maritime community, the event was a resounding success.

The 2024 Keynote Annual Event brought together esteemed dignitaries, including: the Attorney General, George L. Savvides, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeades, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Giorgos Papanastasiou, the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Cyprus and Honorary President of the Club, . Julie D. Fisher, the Shipping Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Marina Hadjimanolis, the Cyprus Navy Commander, Commodore Minas Solomonides, the Commander of Port & Marine Police Unite, Cyprus Police, Michalis Katsounotos, the Head of Limassol Port Police Station, Act. Chief Inspector Andreas Chatziioannou and the President of the International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus, Costis Frangoulis.

Robert D. Kaplan was the evening’s keynote speaker.

Kaplan is an American best-selling author of twenty-two books on foreign affairs. He holds the Robert Strausz-Hupé Chair in Geopolitics at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a brilliant geopolitical thinker and journalist, and a careful and nuanced scholar who has an extraordinary breadth of expertise and record of accomplishment.

The event opened with the welcoming remarks of the President, Polys V. Hajioannou. During his address, Hajioannou paid tribute to this year’s 50th anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion and continued occupation of Cyprus, presenting a moving documentary – courtesy of ALPHA Cyprus – recounting the tragic events of 1974.

He then introduced the event keynote speaker, Robert D. Kaplan, for a dynamic speech on the pressing issues of geopolitics and its impact.

Robert D. Kapaln delivered a powerful speech on “A world in terminent crisis: from the globe down to the region.” From China and Middle East to Ukraine, Russia, Europe, Africa and the United States, Kaplan shared his perspective on the current global geopolitical situation, reflecting on crucial geopolitical developments and geoeconomic shifts. He also spoke about the Israel-Gaza conflict, concluding his speech with valuable insights on the Cyprus problem, especially focusing on the role and influence of Greece, UN and the Great Powers’ on the solution.

At the end of his speech, Kaplan answered a number of questions from the audience.

The atmosphere was very warm and Kaplan was genuinely welcomed by all attendees.

After the speech concluded, a buffet reception was followed at the gardens of the Four Seasons which was attended by all the guests.

Every year, the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Limassol, will host its Keynote Annual Event featuring renowned world-class keynote speakers to share their invaluable knowledge and expertise, delivering speeches that make an impact to the Cyprus maritime community.