1st Mare Forum Germany 2026

Competitiveness - Maritime Europe vs The World

The Mare Forum Odyssey Continues – Next Stop: Hamburg. At a turning point for Europe and the world, where global trade is being reshaped, geopolitical balances are shifting, shipping, energy security and transition have become strategic imperatives, and finance and investment decisions will define the decades to come, Mare Forum Germany comes to Hamburg, on the occasion of the SMM Exhibition. (Scroll down 🔻)

At a turning point for Europe and the global economy, where international trade flows are being reshaped, geopolitical relations are shifting, and shipping, energy security, and the energy transition have become strategic priorities, financial and investment decisions will play a decisive role in shaping the decades ahead.

Against this backdrop, Mare Forum will organise Mare Forum Germany 2026 on Monday, 31 August 2026, in Hamburg (Hafen Hotel) in the framework of SMM, with the central theme:

“How will Maritime Europe increase its competitiveness with the rest of the world?”

In this critical moment, Mare Forum brings together Germany’s, Europe’s, and the world’s leading maritime thinkers and decision-makers for a high-level, in-person strategic dialogue focused on one fundamental question: How can Maritime Europe strengthen and increase its competitiveness and shape its future in an increasingly complex and contested global order?

In a dynamic roundtable setting, top maritime industry leaders, policymakers, financiers, innovators, shipowners, and tech pioneers will exchange bold views and strategic ideas on the future of maritime Europe.

Building on a long series of impactful debates worldwide, Mare Forum once again provides a neutral, high-trust platform where leaders from shipping, shipbuilding, ports, energy, finance, technology, policy, and innovation come together, not to deliver scripted speeches, but to challenge assumptions, exchange real-world insights, and co-design solutions for the future.

- A Holistic Debate on Europe’s Maritime Future

‍The conference will address the entire maritime value chain, exploring the interconnected forces shaping Europe’s competitiveness, including:
shipbuilding, shipping, ports, capital, energy security and energy transition, fuels, circularity, ship recycling, critical raw materials needs, investing in people, cybersecurity, digitalisation and AI, investments and finance, tech industries, regulations, port infrastructure development, maritime hubs collaboration, strategic initiatives, technological advancements, and the geopolitical factors.

During this one-day conference, the following strategic pillars will be addressed in a series of sessions:

- Geopolitics and shifting global trade patterns
- Regulatory developments and Europe’s global positioning
- Energy security and realistic transition pathways
- Europe’s maritime industrial edge: shipbuilding, robotics, ship recycling, circularity, navy and defence
- Critical raw materials and marine equipment manufacturing
- Cybersecurity, AI and digitalisation
- Access to capital, maritime finance and investment flows
- The Human Factor – investing in people and future talent
- Ports infrastructure imperatives
- European Maritime Hubs – services collaboration
- Conclusions and recommendations for the European and global industry

The conference will conclude with concrete conclusions and recommendations for the European and international maritime industry.

- Why You Can't-Miss This

Mare Forum is more than a conference; it’s a forum of ideas, it’s an annual think tank shaping the future of shipping.
It’s where the future of shipping is shaped. `
If you want answers, connections, and inspiration, this is where you’ll find them.
Mare Forum is where connections turn into partnerships,
Where ideas turn into strategies,
Don’t miss this opportunity to join the conversation defining the maritime industry’s future.

‍Be There. Be Heard. Be Part of It. 

We look forward to your participation in an exciting and invigorating event in Hamburg.

P R O G R A M M E

[The conference programme and the list of speakers and panellists will be published soon - Stay tuned]
Every session is linked to one key goal:
‍boosting Europe’s global maritime competitiveness, practically, strategically, and sustainably.
‍
08:00 – 09:00

Registration and Networking

Meet fellow maritime leaders and change makers.

09:00– 09:50

session 1

Welcome and Keynote Speakers: Bold visions from industry pioneers and government visionaries
Geopolitics – The Global Game Shift - Risks and rewards

Setting the scene: Trade tensions, regulatory waves, critical raw materials imperatives and the European response (views)

09:50 – 10:30

session 2

Regulations Ahead - New policy initiatives and trends supporting EC maritime Competitiveness

What comprehensive policy initiatives is the EU putting forward to support and enhance the international competitiveness of European maritime shipping?

10:30 – 11:20

session 3

The Green Shift: Energy Transition and Security - Are we progressing, or are we taking one step ahead and two steps backwards?

Alternative Fuels Production and New Propulsion Systems, Geopolitics, Investments, and PortInfrastructure.

11:20 – 11:50

Networking break

11:50 – 12:40

Session 4

Shipbuilding, marine equipment, and Circular Maritime Innovation: Europe’s Industrial Edge; Can It Be Revived and Increased?

Manufacturing industries, robotics, circularity, ship recycling, Short Sea Ships, Investments and finance

12:40- 13:40

Networking Lunch

13:40 – 14:30

session 5

Money Talks: Capital Providers, Investments, funds, subsidies, Regulation

Where will the smart money come from, and what does the maritime European industry need? The role of capital providers, public money, industry and governments.

14:30 – 15:20

session 6