9th Mare Forum Geneva 2026

Why You Can't-Miss

This Mare Forum is more than a conference; it’s an annual think tank where innovation meets collaboration. It’s where the future of shipping is shaped.
If you want answers, connections, and inspiration, this is where you’ll find them.
Lively debates. Unfiltered discussions. No fluff. Just the ideas and people shaping the future of the shipping industry.
It’s inspiring. It’s personal. It’s powerful.



Why This Mare Forum Geneva Stands Out

If you work in shipping, trade and logistics and want to stay ahead of the curve, you should attend the 9th Mare Forum Geneva 2026.
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This is not another industry event packed with long speeches and company slides. It’s a fast-paced, high-level brainstorming arena where top minds dive into the real issues, openly, honestly, and interactively.

- Engaging Discussions:
Forget monotonous, predictable and boring presentations. Mare Forum is all about meaningful dialogue, where panellists and audience participants engage in stimulating, unscripted conversations.

- Thought Leadership:
Explore key topics such as the future of shipping, trade patterns, logistics, geopolitics, energy transition, decarbonization, investment strategies, ship finance, and human capital imperatives.

- Networking Opportunities:
Connect with industry leaders, including shipowners, capital providers, investors, charterers, logistics professionals, energy executives, regulators, and other decision-makers shaping the maritime world.

- Realistic Solutions:
If you are in shipping and want to know what will happen next, come to Mare Forum. The good answers will be there.

Topics that Matter

- The Game Has Changed, Global trade, geopolitics, and maritime strategy

- Is the Maritime Energy Transition Under Siege?
- Smart Investments, finance, risk, and reward

- The Human Factor and the Leadership Imperative

- Innovation, digitalisation, and the next frontier
- The Gamble for Tomorrow
- Enhancing the Swiss and European Maritime Competitiveness.

Who Will Be There?

Join a powerful gathering of top maritime leaders for an exclusive, high-impact dialogue on the future of the shipping industry. An exclusive mix of:


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- Charterers & commodity traders
- Shipowners & shipping executives

- Investors & capital providers

- Energy industry leaders

- Maritime regulators & consultants

- Shipbuilders, class societies, lawyers & tech pioneers

- Visionary entrepreneurs
This gathering promises unmatched networking opportunities, sparking new ideas and partnerships.
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Be There. Be Heard. Be Part of It.



We look forward to meeting you in Geneva 

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S P E A K E R S

(tentative)

- Florence Schurch Secretary General, SuisseNégoce
- Harris Antoniou Founder and Managing Director, Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd and Board Member, Zug Commodity Association, ZCA
- Ioannis (Jannis) Kostoulas, President, Mare Forum
- Michael Kleiner Economic Development Officer, REPUBLIC AND STATE OF GENEVA
- Andrew Wilson Head of Energy Research, Barry Rogliano Salles (BRS)
- Rafael Huber Human Resources Leader, Ocean Transportation and World Trading Group, CARGIL
- Akshat Singhal, Carbon Lead, Olam AgriL
- Katalin Dobranszky Senior Director, Policy Analysis, Social Affairs and Finance, European Shipowners (ECSA)
- Pierre Pochard Business Development Manager, DNV
- Alberto Perez Head of Maritime Commercial Markets, Lloyd's Register
- Geert Dokter CEO, Conoship International BV
- Mark Assaf Chief Human Resources Development Section– TRAINFORTRADE, UNCTAD
- Francesco Morici Chartering Manager, Christiania Shipping
- Nicolo de Caro Operations Manager, ABC Maritime AG
- Serge Claus Education & Training Manager SUISSENÉGOCE, and President, HR Vaud
- Yasmina Rauber Former General Secretary, Zug Commodity Association) ZCA, and Founder & CEO, Yas Coaching
- Gaël Coronel Regulatory & Public Affairs Officer, Suissenegoce
- Nurettin Caliskan President International Relations, Turkish Shipbuilders Association GISBIR
- Maarten Sickler Director Sales, Conoship International
- Mike Konstantinidis Maritime Digitalisation Expert
- Georgios (Ilios) Kostoulas Executive Director, Mare Forum
- Andreas Chrysikos Sales Manager, GLANDER Bunkering
- Mathilde de Mareuil Headhunter Shipping & Trading Network (STN)
- Maryana Yarmolenko Stober President, Wista Switzerland
- Cyrus Goharian, Finance specialist, DS Energy
- Beatriz Vacotto Head of the Maritime Unit. International Labour Standards Department, ILO
- Capt. Edwin Vella Principal and Chief Operating Officer, MaritimeMT
- Lili Flour Business Development Director, GT WINGS
- More panellists to be announced - stay tuned

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P R O G R A M M E

‍[The detailed programme, including the list of discussion panellists, will be published soon. Stay tuned]

‍Geneva is the power centre of global shipping and trade - be part of it.

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12:30 – 13:00

Registration and coffee – Executive Networking

Warm conversations to start. Connect with leaders from across the maritime world.

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13:00 – 13:20

Session 1
Setting the Scene - Opening& Welcome - Keynote Perspectives

A dynamic start featuring visionary leaders who will frame the global, regional, local and industry challenges ahead.
A roadmap for an afternoon filled with strategy and forward-thinking dialogue.
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PANELLISTS/SPEAKERS:
- Ioannis (Jannis) Kostoulas, President, Mare Forum
- Harris Antoniou Founder and Managing Director, Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd and Board Member, Zug Commodity Association, ZCA and Conference Chairman
- Florence Schurch Secretary General, SuisseNégoce
- Michael Kleiner Economic Development Officer, REPUBLIC AND STATE OF GENEVA
- more panellists/speakers to be announced
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13:20 – 14:00

Session 2
Geopolitics First: The Game Has Changed - Mastering Global Waters Under Threat

‍A fast, sharp, high-level session to understand tomorrow’s geopolitics - today.

- How are shifting geopolitical blocs reshaping trade, shipping, ship finance and insurance?
- What are the emerging risks—and unexpected opportunities—in a fractured world?
- Exploring the unpredictable landscape of global trade and shipping.
- Addressing world tensions, regionalisation, evolving trade patterns, and supply chaindisruptions.

PANELLISTS:
- Andrew Wilson Head of Energy Research, Barry Rogliano Salles (BRS)
- Geert Dokter CEO, Conoship International BV
- Katalin Dobranszky Senior Director, Policy Analysis, Social Affairs and Finance, European Shipowners (ECSA)
- Mark Assaf Chief Human Resources Development Section– TRAINFORTRADE, UNCTAD
- Florence Schurch Secretary General, SuisseNégoce
- Michael Kleiner Economic Development Officer, REPUBLIC AND STATE OF GENEVA
- Harris Antoniou Founder and Managing Director, Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd and Board Member, Zug Commodity Association, ZCA and session moderator
- more panellists to be announced
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14:00 – 14:40

Session 3
Is the Maritime  Energy Transition Under Siege?

Where are we truly heading, and how fast can we get there?

- What strategies after IMO can deliver impact now?
- With green fuels scarce, costs rising, and geopolitics unstable—where do we stand?
- Are current decarbonisation goals realistic, or is zero-emission ambition slipping away?
- Who will lead, and who will lag, in the transition?
- Alternative propulsion & fuels: hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, nuclear, carbon capture
- New vessel designs & the future of short sea shipping

PANELLISTS:
- Pierre Pochard Business Development Manager, DNV and session moderator
- Francesco Morici Chartering Manager, Christiania Shipping
- Nicolo de Caro Operations Manager, ABC Maritime AG
- Maarten Sickler Director Sales, Conoship International
- Lili Flour Business Development Director, GT WINGS
- Akshat Singhal, Carbon Lead, Olam AgriL
- Gaël Coronel Regulatory & Public Affairs Officer, Suissenegoce
- more panellists to be announced
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14:40 – 15:10

The Networking Break

‍Coffee. Conversations. Insights. Deals.

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15:10 – 15:50

Session 4
Smart Investments: Where Should the Money Go in 2026 and Beyond?
What Owners and Charterers Want — What Capital Providers Expect

Your competitive advantage begins with the right intelligence. Investors, analysts, charterers, and owners share their best signals. Find tomorrow’s winning bets—before everyone else. How ambition meets capital

- Market outlook across segments: containers · dry bulk · tankers · cruise · LNG/LPG ·short sea
- What are the next profitable cycles—and where are the pitfalls?
- Alternative Ship Finance: Leasing, alternative finance, bonds, and new models
- Government incentives and subsidies
- The investment case for short sea shipping
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PANELLISTS:
- Andrew Wilson Head of Energy Research, Barry Rogliano Salles (BRS)
- Alberto Perez Head of Maritime Commercial Markets, Lloyd's Register
- Katalin Dobranszky Senior Director, Policy Analysis, Social Affairs and Finance, European Shipowners (ECSA)
- Mike Konstantinidis Maritime Digitalisation Expert
- Geert Dokter CEO, Conoship International BV
- Andreas Chrysikos Sales Manager, GLANDER Bunkering
- Cyrus Goharian, Finance specialist, DS Energy
- Geert Dokter CEO, Conoship International BV
- Harris Antoniou Founder and Managing Director, Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd and Board Member, Zug Commodity Association, ZCA and session moderator‍
- more panellists to be announced ‍
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15:50 –16:30

Session 5
Investing in People, Creating the Future Talent in Shipping, Trade and Logistics

Addressing the human capital trends essential for the industry’s evolution.

- Skillset Demands: The necessity for new skills, charisma, diversity, and talent in shipping.
- How to achieve this?• Attracting New Talent: What are the strategies to engage and recruit the next generation?
- Educational Role: What is the role of shipping and trading education in a sustainable context?
- Future Trends: Understanding what the younger generation seeks in a career.
- Industry Image: Strategies for improving the public perception of shipping.
- The rise of next-gen tech: AI, automation, digitalisation and the Human Factor

PANELLISTS:
- Yasmina Rauber Former General Secretary, Zug Commodity Association) ZCA, and Founder & CEO, Yas Coaching and session moderator
- Serge Claus Education & Training Manager SUISSENÉGOCE, and President HR Vaud
- Beatriz Vacotto Head of the Maritime Unit. International Labour Standards Department, ILO
- Capt. Edwin Vella Principal and Chief Operating Officer, MaritimeMT
- Francesco Morici Chartering Manager, Christiania Shipping
- Nicolo de Caro Operations Manager, ABC Maritime AG
- more panellist to be anouunced

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16:30 - 17:10

The Gamble for Tomorrow
The Shipowners - Charterers – Regulators, Roundtable; Enhancing the Swiss and European Maritime Competitiveness.

How can Geneva expand its role as a global maritime, trade, and financial hub?

- What is the role of charterers, shipowners, capital providers and regulators in the multi-relationship structure of their interests, focusing on sustainable and commercially viable shipping and trading industry?
- Where to invest now to secure an advantage in the next decade?
- Will maritime Switzerland and Europe lose Competitiveness to East and West?
- How can Europe—and Geneva—lead the new maritime era?
- Innovation, regulation, talent, research, and global positioning
- What must change today to win tomorrow?
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PANELLISTS:
- Harris Antoniou Founder and Managing Director, Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd and Board Member, Zug Commodity Association, ZCA and Conference Chairman
- Florence Schurch Secretary General, SuisseNégoce
- Michael Kleiner Economic Development Officer, REPUBLIC AND STATE OF GENEVA
- Andrew Wilson Head of Energy Research, Barry Rogliano Salles (BRS)
- Alberto Perez Head of Maritime Commercial Markets, Lloyd's Register
- Nicolo de Caro Operations Manager, ABC Maritime AG
- Geert Dokter CEO, Conoship International BV
- Pierre Pochard Business Development Manager, DNV
- more panellists to be announced
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17:10 – 17:30

Session 7
Roadmap for the future
Strategic Conclusions and Recommendations - Food for thought to carry beyond Geneva

- Conclusions
- Recommendations
- Food for thought to carry beyond Geneva

by
- General Discussion
- Conference Chairman
- Organiser

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17:30 – 18:30

Networking Drinks

Relaxed, elegant, and unforgettable, end the day with great company and Geneva’s hospitality.

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