Uncharted Waters
Trade wars, armed conflicts, cyberattacks, and the risks posed by the dark fleet are just some of the challenges creating elevated uncertainty for the global shipping industry. Despite these headwinds, the sector is sailing into uncharted waters with its collective hands steady at the helm. The historic agreement to make shipping the world’s first industry with internationally mandated emission reduction targets provides an encouraging example of multilateralism and global governance still at work. At the Global Maritime Forum Annual Summit in Antwerp, industry leaders will work together to address the sector’s collective issues and demonstrate resilience in a fragmenting world.
Resilience in a fragmenting world
As the lifeblood of global commerce, the shipping industry is deeply impacted by geopolitical uncertainty. But it also must contend with sector-specific challenges like the threat of new port fees, a power struggle over the Panama Canal, and attacks and hijackings in the Red Sea that threaten the safety of seafarers. Meanwhile, shifting priorities threaten to undermine the industry’s progress and investments in its green transition. These and other macro issues will be the undercurrent of the discussions participants will have in Antwerp.
The path ahead for shipping decarbonisation
The Annual Summit will be held at a crucial time for maritime decarbonisation. In April, the International Maritime Organization made history by establishing a global fuel standard that sets greenhouse gas intensity reduction targets for each year through 2035 and defines penalties for failing to meet them. This made shipping the first and only industry to put a price on emissions and set internationally mandated targets on carbon intensity. Nevertheless, much work remains to be done. Crucial details about the implementation of the measures will need to be developed between now and their entry into force in 2027.
Creating a safer, more attractive industry
International shipping faces a shortage of up to 90,000 trained seafarers by next year, driven by geopolitical conflicts, fleet growth, better job opportunities in traditional seafarer nations, and deteriorating working conditions. This shortage heightens risks to safety and supply chain resilience, necessitating urgent action to make maritime careers more appealing. Efforts are underway, including amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention and initiatives by the All Aboard Alliance to improve safety, inclusivity, and working conditions. The 2025 Annual Summit will build on this momentum.
Scanning the horizon
Navigating trade unpredictability, realising the sector’s decarbonisation goals, and staving off a potentially disruptive labour shortage all require immediate focus, but what new challenges and untapped possibilities might the future hold? At the Annual Summit, participants will work together to identify emerging threats, future opportunities, and long-term trends likely to impact the sector in the years to come. Participants will determine which topics to explore, whether it’s the implications of global demographic changes, the formation of new trade routes and blocs, potential security and material chokepoints, the business and human implications of artificial intelligence, or something else altogether.
Meet the Annual Summit team
Ingrid is responsible for the successful delivery of the Annual Summit and for incubating new initiatives and projects in line with the Global Maritime Forum's mission.Ingrid Sidenvall Jegou
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Head of Annual Summit, Global Maritime Forum
Jean-Baptiste ensures the Summit’s content, logistics, and people come together to give guests a clear horizon from which to navigate the maritime future. He also leads special initiatives.Jean-Baptiste Paquel
Senior Project Manager, Global Maritime Forum
Ida is responsible for researching into new areas towards developing and incubating new projects and programmes. She also works on the content and design of the Annual Summit and is responsible for identifying speakers.Ida Tang Mikkelsen
Project Coordinator, Strategic Initiatives and Annual Summit, Global Maritime Forum
Juš is supporting the content development and design of the Annual Summit and the scoping and research of new potential initiatives of the Global Maritime Forum.