The Global Maritime Forum Annual Summit 2026 will be held on 21-22 October in Shanghai, China.
The Annual Summit takes place at a pivotal moment for global trade. The maritime sector is grappling with the far-reaching, often violent implications of a shifting geopolitical landscape and macroeconomic uncertainty that challenge its ability to safely maintain the lifelines that deliver food, energy, and essential goods to the global market.
This year’s Annual Summit has three overarching themes:
Trade in a time of rupture
Leading by example through uncertainty
Equipping the sector for the future
Each of these will be addressed in both plenary sessions and the intimate working groups that are the hallmark of the Global Maritime Forum Annual Summit.
The Shanghai event marks the first time that the Global Maritime Forum will hold its Annual Summit in mainland China. Boasting many of the world’s largest ports and nearly two-thirds of the global shipbuilding market, China’s maritime scale, innovation, and leadership make it an ideal place to bring together decision-makers from across geographies and the maritime value chain for two days of debate, fresh perspectives, and agenda-setting.