Breaking new ground

The Global Maritime Forum’s inaugural Annual Summit will convene some of the most influential leaders from across the maritime spectrum – those who have the drive and the influence to make change happen. Together, they will unpack the challenges facing the industry and develop tangible solutions to enhance the role and positive impact of the global maritime industry.

New platform-based business models could fundamentally transform traditional shipowning and the maritime supply chain. The rise of automation, AI, big data and other emerging technologies holds huge potential to revolutionize business operations and increase the industry’s positive impact on society, including the ability to improve environmental and safety performance and drive economic growth.

Governments have committed to reducing international shipping’s environmental impact. It has yet to be determined what will propel the industry forward in the not too distant future. Developing the fuels of the future will require an unprecedented level of collaboration across the industry and with a wide range of stakeholders.

Breaking new ground The merchant fleet has distributed goods and contributed to wealth creation around the world for centuries, and it is strongly committed to serving the world’s growing populations going forward. However, geopolitical tension and fears of new trade wars represent a real risk as world leaders seek to protect their populations from the dislocations that have occurred in our interconnected global economy.

The actions that leaders take now will have significant and longstanding implications for the industry as well as for society. The Annual Summit will discuss this new ground and how the industry can work together to explore possible responses and uncover new opportunities to unleash the potential of global seaborne trade and increase sustainable long-term economic development and human wellbeing.

Shaping the future of global seaborne trade will require engagement from all parts of the maritime value chain. The Global Maritime Forum’s Annual Summit will convene a select group of key industry leaders with policymakers, experts, NGOs and other influential decision-makers and opinion shapers from around the world. They have the breadth and quality of engagement to represent with authority the views and interests of the entire maritime spectrum.

Together they will address global challenges that are particularly important to the maritime industry.

This cross-industry and multi-stakeholder approach aims to challenge the traditional silos within the global maritime industry to strengthen collaboration between all stakeholders and to identify new strategies for tackling long-term challenges and creating new opportunities.

The ambition is that the discussions at the Annual Summit will give birth to decisions that make a real difference, not only for the industry, but for society as well. The meeting will gather those who have the drive and the influence to make change happen in an environment and through a process that is purposefully designed to lead to breakthrough solutions to complex problems. By facilitating co-creative processes that enable deep dialogue, critical reflection and creative thinking, the meeting will encourage the emergence of truly new solutions and of informed, collective action.

The programme will consist of high-level panel discussions and keynote speeches featuring key business leaders, top government officials and prominent thought leaders. They will set the context and highlight the most significant challenges and opportunities in the global economy. In addition, the programme will include briefing sessions with leading experts to inspire and challenge the discussions.

New perspectives from inside and outside the industry will be provided to ensure a thorough understanding of the major forces shaping the industry.

The format of the Annual Summit will be highly collaborative, and participants will be invited to contribute actively in the working groups.