On 16 May 2013, China Classification Society (CCS) and Paragon Shipping Inc. (Paragon) signed the Frame Cooperation Agreement and the Classification-Entry Agreement for Two 4,800TEU Container Ships to be built in China in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in the witness of Li Keqiang, Premier of the People’s Republic of China and Antonis Samaras, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic. Mr. Yang Chuantang, Chinese Minister of Transport, Mr. Du Qiwen, Chinese Ambassador to Greece, and a number of other guests attended the signing ceremony. Mr. Sun Licheng, President of CCS and Mr. Michael Bodouroglou, CEO of Paragon signed the agreement on behalf of the two parties.

According to the agreement, both sides will carry out a comprehensive cooperation in such areas as exchange of technical standards, business promotion and support, shipbuilding, classification survey during operation and ship financing.

Paragon is an international shipping company specializing in the transportation of drybulk cargoes and containers. The witnessing of the agreement signing by the leaders of the two countries would attract more Greek shipowners to choose services provided by CCS and further promote the cooperation between the shipowners of Greece and the Mediterranean region and China’s shipbuilding, shipping, financing and insurance industries.