On Friday, May 30, New York Maritime Inc. president Peter Shaerf (center) opened the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York City, highlighting the growing importance of the marine industry in the equity markets globally. On NASDAQ alone there are 40 maritime companies listed. Shaerf, flanked by about 50 colleagues from the New York metro area, noted the importance of the timing of the occasion, prior to the opening of the Posidonia exhibition in Athens, Greece.