The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of the Hellenic Republic, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) will co-host the high-level ‘Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit’ in Athens this June.
Centered on the theme ‘Navigating global megatrends, mitigating risk, and the role of shipping in economic security and prosperity,’ the summit aims to build consensus and share critical perspectives on maritime trade challenges.
The Summit will bring together Ministers and high-level members of the maritime value chain, including Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the Hellenic Republic, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, European Commission, Alexis Vafiades, Minister of Transport, Communications and Work, Republic of Cyprus, Fu Xuyin, Vice Minister of Transport, the People’s Republic of China, and Karin Orsel, CEO, MF Shipping; President, ECSA, who have already confirmed their participation.
Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of the Hellenic Republic, welcomed the Summit, emphasizing Greece’s historic maritime tradition and the need for substantial discussions on the growing challenges facing international shipping amidst geopolitical and regulatory shifts.
The Summit, focused on global megatrends like geopolitical conflict, supply chain security, and technological impact, will bring together ministers, policymakers, and industry leaders from shipping, finance, energy, and logistics to collaborate on solutions for economic security and prosperity.
Melina Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, highlighted the sector’s current challenges and the importance of cooperation, while Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman of the ICS, stressed the need for industry and governments to unite in addressing the sector’s most pressing issues.
“The shipping sector is playing a central role in the current discourse on global trade. We face more challenges and threats than we have in probably two decades. This is why we want to bring leaders together to discuss the best solutions at the critical intersection of policymaking and industry action. Industry and governments must work together to address these challenges, we cannot work in isolation.”, Emanuele Grimaldi said.
The Summit will address key topics such as regulatory changes, GHG emissions, and seafarer training, with ABS as the lead sponsor.
Some of the key discussions will also centre on the regulatory framework around greenhouse gas emissions (in particular the GHG pricing mechanism), the outcomes of MEPC83 meeting and importantly, the next steps, and the progress of the Clean Energy Marine (CEM) Hubs initiative.
