Breaking new ground
The Global Maritime Forum’s Annual Summit convened 200 decision-makers from across the entire maritime spectrum to address key challenges and opportunities facing global seaborne trade.
'The maritime industry can and must play an active role in shaping the future of trade.'
February 07 2019
The backdrop for the discussions was the rapidly changing geo-economic outlook with the world on the brink of a severe trade conflict between its two biggest economies the US and China. At the Annual Summit, this rise of protectionism was discussed and linked to more fundamental geopolitical shifts that could lead to significant changes in international trade and thus impact the maritime industry.
A key message in the discussions was that the maritime industry can and must play an active role in shaping the future of trade, since in these times of uncertainty, it cannot be expected that governments alone will manage to create trading conditions that foster sustainable and inclusive growth.
The importance of shipping’s decarbonization, safety and digitalization were reflected in the working groups where several groups chose to address these issues:
- Urgent action needed to advance shipping’s decarbonization
- Safety a top priority for the maritime industry
- Maritime’s digital transformation requires a new mindset
Other issues discussed at the Summit included how the maritime industry can attract the talent of the future; how regulation can support innovation; how the 2020 Sulphur cap can be successfully implemented and how ship recycling can become more transparent and sustainable.
For more information please download the report.