10th Mare Forum Istanbul 2026

Why attend

- For Turkish Shipowners, Ship Managers, and Charterers:
Understand how global market shifts, geopolitical tensions, sanctions risks, capacity overcapacity, and changing trade routes directly impact your competitive position. Learn how leading operators are securing financing, retrofitting fleets, and positioning for profitability in 2026 and beyond.
- For Turkish Shipbuilders and Repair Yards:
Gain intelligence on global demand for specialised and eco-friendly vessels. Identify market segments where Turkish yards can lead. Access capitalproviders, strategic partners, and decision-makers from Europe, Asia, and the USA.
- For Investors, Capital Providers, and Financiers:
Discover where shipping opportunities exist in a market of capacity oversupply and margin compression. Explore alternative investment structures,green finance mechanisms, and the impact of IMO Net-Zero regulations on asset valuations.
- For Government, Regulators, and Policy Makers:
Shape the future of Turkish maritime competitiveness. Engage withindustry leaders on government support mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, and the policy conditions necessary for sustainable growth.
- For Maritime Service Providers, Lawyers, and Consultants:
Connect with the C-suite executiveswho make strategic decisions. Understand evolving client needs around sustainability, sanctions compliance, financing innovation, and risk management.

The 10th Mare Forum Istanbul difference

- Dynamic, Candid Debate
At Mare Forum, executives don't read speeches. Panellists engage in direct, challenging debategrounded in market reality and strategic insight. Audiences participateactively. Ideas are exchanged honestly. The result: genuine intelligence andactionable insights.
- No Boring Presentations
We reject the traditional conference model oflong speeches and corporate presentations. Instead, curated discussions amongdecision-makers, the people who actually shape the industry.
- High-Quality Participants
Over ten years, Mare Forum has built a reputation for attracting senior shipping executives, investors, and thought leaders. If you are serious about maritime business, you should attend Mare Forum.
- Networking Opportunities
Beyond theformal sessions, Mare Forum provides excellent networking opportunities. The intimate venue, structured breaks, and evening reception create space formeaningful conversations, partnerships, and business development.

If you are active in the shipping business and interested in doing business in Türkiye, this forum is not to be missed.
The 10th MareForum Istanbul 2026 - Where Leaders Gather, Ideas Collide, and the Future of Shipping Takes Shape.
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SPEAKERS AND PANELLISTS

(Tentative)

-Murat Kiran, President, Turkish Shipbuilders Association GISBIR
-Tamer Kıran, Chairman, Turkish Chamber of Shipping
-Ali İbrahim Kontaytekin, Vice President, Turkish Shipowners Association
-Ioannis (Jannis) Kostoulas, President, Mare Forum
-Antonios Faraklas, Managing Director, Chartworld Shipping Corporation
-Christophe Tytgat, Secretary General/CEO, SEA Europe & CESA
-Dimitris Monioudis, Managing Director - Rethymnis & Kulukundis Ltd, and Chairman, INTERCARGO Technical Committee
-Nurettin Caliskan, President International Relations, Turkish Shipbuilders Association GISBIR
-Erhan Esinduy Foreign Relations Commission Member, Turkish Shipbuilders Association, GISBIR
-Mehtap Karahalli Ozdemir, Secretary-General, Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association GISBIR
-Geert Dokter, CEO, Conoship International BV
-Jianjun (JJ) Wang, CEO, Goldsea International Company Limited
-Mustafa Insel, Head of Technical Affairs and R&D commission, Turkish Shipbuilders Association GISBIR
-Nuri Mert Can, General Manager, Transbosphor Maritime
-Yunus  Emre Askin Deputy Managing Director, Ilkfer Group
-Sena Apak Heuvels, Managing Partner, Sena Apak Heuvels
-Peter Molloy, Managing Director, Sea3R
-Geert Dokter, CEO, Conoship International BV
-Iraklis Tsirigotis, Director of Origination, Neptune Maritime Leasing
-Maarten Sickler, DirectorSales, Conoship International
-Dimitris Lyras, Managing Director, Ulysses Systems
-Ertug Yasar, Managing Director, Ursa Shipyard
-Diederik Legger, Country Manager, Marlow Navigation
-Mehmet Avcı, External Affairs Manager - Türk Loydu
-Gürsel Yıldız, Managing Director- BMC Marine
-Dilan Oruc, Founding Partner, DBO Marine Service
-Bintug Baran Gulustur, Regional Marketing Manager, Yalova Shipyard
-Cihan Bayrak, General Manager, Çeksan Shipyard
-Murat Eristi, Financial  Advisor, Turkish Shipbuilders Association
-Erdeniz Erol, Research & Development Manager, ELKON Marine Electric Technologies
-Mustafa Sungu, Founder / Chairman of The Board, Norse Shipyard

More panellists to be announced
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P R O G R A M M E

[The programme, including the speakers and panellists, will be published soon. Stay tuned.]

‍12:00–13:00‍

Registration, Light Lunch and Networking

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‍13:00–13:50

Session 1:
Opening and Welcome - Setting the scene & strategic context

- Conference Chairman
- Organizers
- Keynote speakers

Opening Statement: Setting the stage for 2026, his session establishes the strategic context for Türkiye's maritime future. Key themes include:

- Ten years of Mare Forum impactand industry leadership
- Türkiye's geopolitical and economic positioning in global shipping
- The competitive landscape: Europe, Asia, and the USA
- Why Turkish maritime mattersnow more than ever

13:50–14:40

Session 2:
Storms, Sanctions and Sea Lanes:
Türkiye in a Fractured Geopolitical Seascape.

Markets, geopolitics & the fight for profitability,
Where to invest your Money today?

‍Global Dynamics Reshaping Shipping—And Why Türkiye Matters The world is more unpredictable than ever. Trade tensions between the USA, China, andEurope. Sanctions risks in Russia and Iran (Europe?). Energy security concernsdriving LNG growth. Suez Canal, Panama, Ormuz, Malaka, Venezuela.. . Container, tankers, drybulk, volatilities, can pressure rates. How do these mega-trends affect Turkish shipowners, shipbuilders, and service providers?

Key Questions:
- Geopolitical Risk & Sanctions: How are leading shipowners identifying, managing, and hedging against trade sanction risks? What are the operational and financial implications of sanctions on Turkish operators?
- Global Trends and Market Forecasts & Segment Analysis: Where is demand growing? Where is it contracting? What do experts forecast for containers, dry bulk, tankers, and LNG in 2026–2030?
- Route & Trade Pattern Shifts: How are geopolitical tensions reshaping global trade routes? What new opportunities emerge for operators positioned to exploit these shifts?
- Turkish Competitive Position: Which market segments offer the best opportunity for Turkish-owned and Turkish-built vessels?

SESSION CHAIRMAN:
‍to be announced soon
DISCUSSION PANELLISTS:
to be announced soon

14:40–15:20

Session 3:
Is the Maritime Energy Transition Under Siege?
The IMO net-zero framework & the regulatory reckoning

Global Regulations:
- What happened at IMO - What next?
- With green fuels still scarce, rising costs, geopolitical turmoil, and regulatory uncertainty, the race todecarbonisation is facing headwinds – where are we now?
- Are current decarbonisation goals realistic? Are zero-emission targets a mirage? Is the maritime industry’s journey to zeroemissions stalling before it truly begins?
- What strategies can deliver impact now?
- Who will lead — and who will lag — in the transition?
- and more, much more!

Critical Questions for Turkish Operators & Builders:
- Compliance Pathways: What are youroptions for meeting GFI targets? Retrofits? Alternative fuels? Speed reduction?Vessel replacement?
- Financial Impact: What will compliancecost? What is the ROI on different pathways? How do you finance green retrofits and newbuilds?
- Technology & Infrastructure: Are alternative fuels (methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, nuclear) ready at scale? What about port infrastructure for bunkering?
- Competitive Dynamics: How will IMO regulations reshape global shipping order books? Which vessel types will be in demand
- Turkish Shipbuilding Opportunity: How can Turkish yards position themselves for the green vessel boom?‍

SESSION CHAIRMAN:
to be announced soon
DISCUSSION PANELLISTS:
to be announced soon

15:20–15:50 ‍

Networking break

15:50–16:40

Session 4:
The Turkish shipbuilding competitiveness & market positioning

Competition and Sustainability in Turkish Leadership in Specialised Vessels, Short Sea Shipping, and Winning the Green Transition
Turkish shipyards are world leaders in specialised vessel construction—tugs, fishing vessels, offshore support, and hybrid/electric vessels.
Yet 2024 brought challenges: rising costs, financingdifficulties, and global competition have squeezed export volumes and margins.

The fundamental question: How does Turkish shipbuilding compete, grow market share, and lead the green vessel revolution?

The Challenge:
- Wage inflation and rising labour costs
- Difficulty accessing affordable project finance
- Competition from Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, and Asian yards
- New VAT rules are reducing price competitiveness
- Global push toward alternative fuels creates both opportunity and technical risk

The Opportunity:
- Record global demand for eco-friendly, specialised vessels
- European short-sea shipping resurgence (regional solution to congestion)
- Ageing global fleet requiring replacement and retrofits
- Turkish yards' unique strength in niche, high-value vessel segments

Core Topics:
- Competitive Position: How can Turkish yards compete on cost, innovation, and quality? What is Türkiye's competitive advantage vs. Europe and Asia?
- Specialised Vessel Strategy: Which segments offer the highest returns? Tugs? Fishing vessels? Offshore support?Hybrid ferries?
- Green & Alternative Fuel Vessels: Can Turkish yards lead in zero-carbon ship design and construction? What investments and partnerships are needed?
- European Short-Sea Shipping: Is this a growth opportunity for Turkish yards? What do European regulations require?
- Financing & Investment Models: How can shipyards attract and secure long-term project financing? What are innovative financing structures?
- Technological Advancement: How canTurkish yards accelerate R&D, automation, robotisation, and digital manufacturing to improve productivity?
- Strategic Alliances & Consolidation: Are partnerships, mergers, or joint ventures the path forward?
- Government Support: What policy, tax, and financing support would move the needle?

SESSION CHAIRMAN:
to be announced soon
DISCUSSION PANELLISTS:
to be announced soon

16:40–17:10

Session 5:
The Turkish shipping leadership & the future fleet growth.
Financing and strategy in volatile markets

Turkish Shipowners: Building Order Books, Securing Financing, and Winning Market Share. Turkish-owned shipping companies operate a diverse fleet across multiple segments. The agenda for growth is clear: expand order books with modern, eco-compliant vessels; secure affordable long-term financing; and leverage Türkiye's geographic position as a major trade hub connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Key Strategic Questions:
- Order Book Trends: What are Turkish shipowners ordering? What vessel types offer the best returns? How do Turkish order books compare to global benchmarks
- Financing Challenges & Solutions: Access to capital is a bottleneck. What are emerging financing models? How can shipowners secure long-term project finance at competitive rates?
- Fleet Modernisation: What technologies are operators adopting to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and lower operating costs?
- Alternative Fuels & Compliance: How are Turkish shipowners preparing for IMO Net-Zero? What is the ROI of retrofits vs newbuilds?
- Growth Opportunities: Where is demand growing fastest? Short-sea shipping? Energy transition support vessels? Asian-European trade?
- Geopolitical Resilience: How are successful operators hedgin against sanctions, trade war escalation, and route disruptions?
- Türkiye as Logistics Hub: How can Turkish operators leverage Istanbul's strategic position in global trade
- Long-Term Vision: What are the strategic drivers for 2026–2030? Fleet growth? Specialization? Geographic expansion?

SESSION CHAIRMAN:
to be announced soon
DISCUSSION PANELLISTS:
to be announced soon

17:10–17:50

Session 6:
Technology Transformation: AI, Big Data, Smart Ports, and Operational Excellence.

- Smart, Safe and Connected: DigitalShipping, AI and cyber‑resilient logistics hubs in Türkiye.
- Innovations & the maritime operations imperatives
- Investing in People, Creating the Future Talent in Shipping,
- Maritime Entrepreneurship: Unlocking Türkiye’s Innovation Potential

Shipping isbecoming increasingly digital. Advanced onboard systems, real-time vessel monitoring, AI-driven optimisation, smart port infrastructure, and blockchain-enabled supply chain visibility are transforming operations and unlocking new efficiencies.

What's Changing:
- Big Data & Analytics: Vast onboard sensor data is now actionable. Real-time optimisation of fuel consumption, route planning, and maintenance schedules.
- AI & Machine Learning: Predictive maintenance, autonomous voyage optimisation, and risk assessment.
- Smart Ports & Automation: Port automation via AGVs and robotics, reducing vessel turnaround times andoperational costs.
- Cybersecurity & Digitalisation: Increasing digital connectivity creates new vulnerabilities. Increasing digital connectivity creates new vulnerability. How do operators protect critical systems?
- Supply Chain Visibility: Blockchain, IoT sensors, and real-time tracking provide unprecedented supply chain transparency - critical for compliance, riskmanagement, and customer service.
- Alternative Fuels Management: New fuel types require sophisticated onboard systems and operational protocols.

Critical Questions:
- Competitive Advantage: How much operational efficiency can technology unlock? What is the ROI?
- Turkish Maritime Digitalisation: Are Turkish operators and yards investing in digital transformation? What gapsexist?
- Port Infrastructure: Are Turkish port supgrading to smart, automated systems? What investments are needed?
- Talent & Training: What skills are needed for digital-age maritime operations? How can Turkish maritime institutions upskill the workforce?
- Regulatory Alignment: How do digitalisation investments align with IMO compliance and ESG reportingrequirements? Why must the maritime industry value entrepreneurship more to keep pace with rapidly evolving global trends?
- How can shipping and ports move faster in adopting new technologies and business models emerging from startups?
- Türkiye already has many successful startups, including in maritime. How can we ensure these success stories continue and scale?
- What support mechanisms (investment, pilots, regulation, partnerships) are needed to turn potentialinto sustained innovation?
- Can Türkiye leverage its talent, shipbuilding strength, and operational know-how to become a high-potential maritime entrepreneur ship hub?

SESSION CHAIRMAN:
to be announced soon
DISCUSSION PANELLISTS:
to be announced soon

17:50 – 18:10‍

Session 7:
Closing roundtable - A Candid Debate on Türkiye’s Maritime Future
Conclusions, recommendations and food for the future ‍

General Discussion: All Conference Participants, Organisers, and Chairman

A free-flowing, candid discussion with all conference participants.
Topics include:
- Key insights and takeaways from the day
- Emerging consensus on Turkish maritime priorities for 2026 and beyond
- Commitments and next steps for industry collaboration
- Vision for the 11th Mare Forum

SESSION CHAIRMAN:
‍to be announced soon

DISCUSSION PANELLISTS:
to be announced soon

19:10 – 20:30

Networking reception

20:30 - 22:00 ‍

Networking dinner

.................‍

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CONFERENCE VENUE and HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Participants who wish to stay at the conference venue, Crowne Plaza Istanbul Asia (an IHG Hotel), can benefit from specially negotiated discounted rates arranged with the organizers.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
Single Standard Room: €105
Double Standard Room: €125

The above rates include buffet breakfast and are subject to 10 per cent VAT (Value Added Tax) and 2 per cent Accommodation Tax.
Any increase in VAT will be reflected in the above rates, and the hotel reserves the right to adjust the quoted prices in case of any additional applicable taxes.

OTHER DETAILS
Complimentary WiFi and wired high-speed internet access in all guest rooms and meeting areas
Complimentary parking for in-house guests‍

TO BOOK A ROOM

Participants attending the Mare Forum conference who wish to book a room at the conference venue may contact the hotel representative below for reservations.

Mr. Oguzhan Ucarkus
oguzhan.ucarkus@cpistanbulasia.com

When mentioning “GISBIR Mare Forum” during the reservation process, the special discounted rates stated above will be applied.’’

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