9th Mare Forum Mykonos 2026

Following eight highly successful editions of Mare Forum Mykonos, and building on the conclusions and recommendations of the 1st Mare Forum Chios held in May this year, we are delighted to announce the 9th Mare Forum Mykonos, taking place on 28 August 2026 at the St. John Resort in Mykonos.

Why Mare Forum Mykonos Is a Must-Attend Event

➤ Mare Forum is a Forum of Ideas
Mare Forum conferences are renowned for their dynamic exchange of ideas and spirited debate. There are no long speeches, no corporate sales pitches, and no predictable soundbites. Instead, we foster open dialogue, challenge assumptions, and encourage the free exchange of perspectives among all participants.

➤ Who Will Be There
This exclusive, limited-capacity event brings together a diverse and influential group of participants, including:
Shipping Executives, Shipowners and Ship Managers, Capital Providers and Investors, Traders, Logistics Providers, Energy Executives and Charterers, Regulators, Lawyers, Consultants, Shipbuilders, Classification Societies, and forward-thinking entrepreneurs.

➤ Why You Can’t Miss It
Mare Forum is not just another conference—it is a dynamic annual think tank. It is where innovation meets strategy, and where leading maritime minds converge to shape the future of global shipping through dialogue, insight, and collaboration.

Programme

09:00 - 10:00 Registration and Network
10:00 - 12:00 Forum
11:20 - 12:10 Networking Break
12:10 - 15:00 Forum
20:00 - 22:00 Networking Reception

At Mare Forum Mykonos, all registered participants act as discussion panellists. The format is highly interactive, encouraging open dialogue, critical thinking, and the exchange of ideas.

In light of current global developments in trade, shipping, energy security and transition, safety, technology, and risk management, we are developing an innovative conference programme, including:

- Geopolitics and shifting global trade patterns; regulatory developments and Europe’s global positioning
- Energy security and realistic transition pathways- Shipping markets outlook (by ship type) - Where will the smart money go next?
- Finance & strategy: what owners want vs. what capital providers expect
- Shipbuilding, robotics, ship recycling, circularity, navy and defence
- Cybersecurity, AI, and digitalisation: challenges and opportunities
- The human factor: investing in people and future talent.
- Maritime Tourism: Cruise Ships, (Super)yachts, Marinas and Regulations, imperatives
- Maritime Greece, Europe, and the global landscape

P R O G R A M M E

09:00 – 09:50

Registration-Welcome Coffee – Executive Networking          

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

09:50 – 10:10
Session 1

Setting the Scene - Opening & Welcome - Keynote Speakers

A dynamic start featuring visionary leaders who will frame the global, regional, local and industry challenges ahead.
A roadmap for a day filled with strategy and forward-thinking dialogue.

SPEAKERS:
- Ioannis Kostoulas, President, Mare Forum
- Antonios Faraklas, Managing Director, Chartworld Shipping Corporation
‍- Theofilos Xenakoudis Chief Commercial Officer, IRI/TheMarshallIslands Registry
- George Tsavliris, Principal, Tsvliris Group
- Dimitris Monioudis, Managing Director - Rethymnis & Kulukundis Ltdand Chairman, INTERCARGO Technical Committee and
CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN

10:10 – 10:50
Session 2

Geopolitics First: The Game Has Changed

Mastering Global Waters Under Threats

- Chris Fragou, Director of Intelligence, Crisis Monitor
‍- Erhan Esinduy, Foreign Relations Commission Member, Turkish ShipbuildersAssociation, GISBIR
‍- Theofilos Xenakoudis, Chief Commercial Officer, IRI/TheMarshallIslands Registry
‍- Tom Softeland, Chairman, Spinnaker
- Alexander Prokopakis, Executive Director, International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA)
- Dagfinn Lunde, Chairman and Co-Founder, eShipfinance.com
- Nicolas A. Vernicos, President Emeritus, International Chamber of Commerce -Hellas and President VERNICOS Tugs & Salvage
- Ana  Alexe, Real Estate Broker, UAE

10:50 – 11:30
Session 3

Is the Maritime Energy Transition Under Siege?
Between Ambition and Reality — Where Do We Stand?

- Jason Stefanatos, Decarbonization Director, DNV
- George Koufos, Manager Business Development, ABS
- Maarten Sickler, Director Sales, Conoship International
- Dionissis Christodoulopoulos, Managing Director, Greece, Cyprus and Balkan Countries, Everllence Hellas Ltd
- Konstantinos  Filippou Head of Regional Sales, NB  ABB Marine & Ports
- Helena Athoussaki, Chief Sustainability Officer, Motor Oil Group
‍- Erhan Esinduy, Foreign Relations Commission Member, Turkish ShipbuildersAssociation, GISBIR
- Alexander Prokopakis Executive Director, International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA)
- Apostolos Poulovassilis, Director, Greece, OneOcean
- Emre Ersoy, Partner, ErsoyBilgehan Lawyers & Consultants

11:30 – 12:00‍

NetworkingBreak

12:00– 12:50
Session 4

Money Talks: Capital Providers, Investments, funds, subsidies, Regulation
Owners Want — What Capital Providers Expect

- Tom Softeland, Chairman, Spinnaker
- Alexandros Damianidis, Partner, Watson Farley & Williams
- Philippos Piperas, CEO, NESS MARINE BROKERS (HELLAS ) LTD
- Vasileios Terzis, Managing Director, Queensway Navigation Co. Ltd
- Mohamed  Rabie,  S&P Shipbroker  Acquire Shipbrokers Co.
- John Belousis, Managing Director, INDEPENDENT AVERAGE ADJUSTERS
- Dagfinn Lunde, Chairman and Co-Founder,  eShipfinance.com
- Helin  Ozcelik, Analyst, Strategy Finance Global
- George Xiradakis, President of the Association of Banking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping, CEO, XRTC BusinessConsultants Ltd, (to be confirmed)

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12:50 – 13:40
Session 5

Investing in People - The Future Maritime Workforce - Creating the Future Talent in Shipping
The rise of next-gen tech: cyber-security, AI, automation, Digitalisation and the

PANELLISTS:
- Antonios Faraklas, Managing Director, Chartworld Shipping Corporation
‍- Geert Dokter, CEO, Conoship International BV
- Martin Rowe Managing Director Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Hellas Ltd
‍- Ilias Bissias,Asst. Professor, Dept. of Shipping, Trade & Transport, University of the Aegean
- Marina Christoulaki, OPERATIONS FLEET MANAGER, NAVARONE SA (to be confirmed)
- Spyridon Tarasis, Maritime Business Operations Consultant, International Registries, Inc.
- Eleftherios Makaris, DPA / Operations Manager, Efshipping Company SA
- John Fafalios, General Operations Manager, Fafalios Limited and CEO, Care4C
- Nicolaos Karimalis, COMPLIANCE AND ASSURANCE MANAGER, UNITEAM MARINE
- Helen Thanopoulou, Professor, Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport, University of the Aegean
- Georgia Vasilaki, Global Head of Indirect Procurement, Inchcape Shipping Services

13:40 – 14:20
Session 6

The Future of Maritime Tourism in Greece- Imperatives
Cruiseships, Yachting, Marinas, Finance, Investments, the role of Government and industry

‍- Theodoros Kontes, Director, MAJESTIC INTERNATIONAL CRUISES INC and Honorary President of the Greek Cruise Ship Owners Association
- Gina Polemi, President, HCPY Union of Yachting
- Nicolas A. Vernicos, President Emeritus, International Chamberof Commerce -Hellas and President VERNICOS Tugs & Salvage
- George Tsavliris, Principal, Tsavliris Salvage Group
- Dimitrios Beis, Legal Director, Hill Dickinson International
- Manuela Bottiglieri, Insurance & Claims Manager,Alexandria Shipping (Hellas)S.A
- Nurettin Caliskan, President, International Relations,, TurkishShipbuilders Association GISBIR
- Theofilos Xenakoudis Chief Commercial Officer, IRI/TheMarshall Islands Registry
- Akis Tsirigakis CEO, Nautilus Offshore
- Maria  Gkoutsiou, Senior Partner, Major & Grove International Law Firm

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14:20 – 15:00
Session 7‍

Roadmap for the future - Strategic Conclusions and Recommendations

General Discussion - All Participants

20:00 – 22:00

THE NETWORKING RECEPTION

Join us for a relaxed and elegant evening reception, where connections are deepened and new partnerships begin.

If you are looking for answers, meaningful connections, valuable networking, and inspiration, this is where you will find them. This is where the right questions are asked, and realistic answers emerge.

It will be inspiring. Be there.
 


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We look forward to meeting you in Mykonos
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To book a Room at the Saint John Hotel Villas and Spa.

Please contact the reservations department, mentioning the MARE FORUM conference (discount rate)

Popi Giannaraki
Reservations Department
Saint John Hotel Villas & Spa

Phone: +30 22890 28752
Email: info@saintjohn.gr

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