1st Mare Forum Chios 2026

Mare Forum is proud to announce the 1st Mare Forum Chios 2026 — our newest conference, taking place for the first time on the island of Chios. Backed by our leading partners, Chartworld Shipping Corporation and IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry, this event carries serious high-level positioning and genuine global relevance.
It will take place on Friday, 8 May 2026, at the Chios Chandris Hotel.

Chios is not only a cornerstone of Greece’s maritime heritage but also a place of immense historical and cultural significance. It aligns perfectly with our philosophy of hosting Mare Forum conferences in exceptional locations, both major global hubs and distinguished, characterful destinations that have shaped maritime history and presence.

Chios and Oinousses are not simply islands — they are pillars of global shipping. Remarkably, nearly 12% of the world fleet is controlled by shipowners originating from these two historic maritime communities. Their legacy, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit have shaped international shipping for generations.
‍That fact alone tells you everything you need to know about why this conference matters.

Here, in this storied setting, maritime leaders, bright minds, thinkers, and innovators come together to explore the future of shipping, exchange ideas, and spark new collaborations inspired by the island’s enduring spirit of seafaring excellence.

‍

🔴 Why Attend the 1st Mare Forum Chios 2026?

The Mare Forum conferences:

The Mare Forums are a hallmark for their vibrant exchanges of ideas and spirited debates. High-level executives from the shipping, trade and chartering, capital providers, regulators and almost all shipping services providers come together in an interactive and dynamic setting to discuss the pressing issues shaping the future of the global shipping industry.‍

Engaging Discussions:

Forget monotonous presentations. Mare Forum is all about meaningful dialogue, where panellists and audience participants engage in stimulating, unscripted conversations.

Thought Leadership:

Explore key topics like shipping's future, trade patterns, logistics, geopolitics, energy transition, decarbonisation, investment strategies, ship finance, and human capital imperatives.

Networking Opportunities:

Connect with industry leaders, including shipowners, capital providers, investors, charterers, logistics professionals, energy executives, regulators, and other decision-makers shaping the maritime world.‍

Realistic Solutions:

If you are in shipping and want to know what will happen next, come to Mare Forum. The good answers will be there.‍‍

🔴 Who Will Be There?

The event brings together a diverse group of participants, including Shipping Executives, Shipowners, and Ship Managers, Capital Providers, Investors, and Traders, Logistics Providers, Energy Executives and Charterers, Regulators, Lawyers, Consultants, Shipbuilders, Classification Societies, the Press, and Smart Entrepreneurs.‍

🔴 Why You Can't-Miss This

‍Mare Forum is more than a conference; it’s an annual think tank where innovation meets collaboration. It’s where the future of shipping is shaped. `
If you want answers, connections, and inspiration, this is where you’ll find them.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join the conversation defining the maritime industry’s future.

We look forward to your participation in an exciting and invigorating event in Chios.

🔴 Tentative list of Speakers & Panellists

- Marina Hadjimanolis, Shipping Deputy Minister, Cyprus
- Antonios Faraklas, Managing Director, Chartworld Shipping Corporation
- Ioannis Kostoulas, President, Mare Forum
- Theofilos Xenakoudis, Chief Commercial Officer, IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry
- Dwain Hutchinson, Managing Director and CEO, Bahamas Maritime Authority
- Jonathan Jones, Managing Director of JLJ Maritime
- George Tsavliris, Principal, Tsavliris Salvage Group
- Dimitris Monioudis, Managing Director - Rethymnis & Kulukundis Ltd and Chairman, INTERCARGO Technical Committee
- George Koufos, Manager Business Development, ABS
- Theofanis Moustakatos, Head of Shipping, National Bank of Greece, NBG
- Dionyssios Theodoratos, Deputy CEO of Attica Group  &  President  of the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN)
- Plamen Tonchev,  Head of Asia Unit, Institute of International Economic Relations and MERICS European China Policy Fellow
- Chengi Kuo, Professor Emeritus, University of Strathclyde
- John Platsidakis, Costamare Shipping Company S.A. | Shipping Executive | Honorary Chairman of Intercargo
- Andreas Hadjipetrou, Chief Commercial Officer, Columbia Group
- Charles Ellinas, CEO & Founder, EC Cyprus Natural Hydrocarbons Company Ltd (eCNHC)
- Dimitris Patrikios, Managing Director, VShips Greece
- Leonidas Polemis, CEO, Empire Chemical Tankers
- John Cotzias Projects & Finance, Xclusiv Shipbrokers Inc
- Dimitris Lyras, Managing Director, Ulysses Systems
- Jan Jaap Nieuwenhuis, Managing Director, Conoship International
- Costas Kontes, Commercial Officer, Navilands Management Holdings S.A.
- Serafeim Kapros, Professor, University of the Aegean
- Marina Christoulaki, OPERATIONS FLEET MANAGER, NAVARONE SA
- Theodoros Kontes, Honorary President, GreekCruise Ship Owners Association
- Ilias Bissias, Asst. Professor | Dept. of Shipping, Trade & Transport, University of the Aegean
- Nurettin Caliskan, President International Relations, Turkish Shipbuilders Association GISBIR
- George Xiradakis, President of the Association of Banking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping, CEO, XRTC Business Consultants Ltd,
- Angelos Roupas Pantaleon, European Mar LDA - Greek Representative, Second Wind & Partners
- John Fafalios, General Operations Manager, Fafalios Limited and CEO, Care4C
- Georgios Kostoulas, Executive Director, Mare Forum
- Marina Tzoutzouraki, CFO and co-founder, eShipfinance.com
- Erhan Esinduy, Foreign Relations Commission Member, Turkish Shipbuilders Association, GISBIR
- Dagfinn Lunde, Chairman and Co-founder, eShipfinance.com, DagMar Navigation Ltd and Chairman Cleaves Securities AS
- Evangelos Boulougouris, Professor, Head of Department at Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde
- Theodosis Stamatellos, Global Technical Client Care Director, Lloyd's Register
- Dionissis Christodoulopoulos Managing Director, Greece, Cyprus, Balkan & Black Sea Region, Everllence Hellas Ltd
- Vassilios Dimoulas, Technology & Innovation Director, East Europe, Mediterranean Sea, Middle East, India and Africa, BUREAU VERITAS
- Stefanos Fragos, CEO, Allied Shipbroking
- Costas Constantinou, Managing Partner, Moore Greece and Moore's Global Shipping Leader

‍more to be announced soon‍
‍

🔴 Please note that, according to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (YPA), infrastructure upgrade works are currently underway at Chios Airport.
‍As a result, flight capacity to and from Chios may be limited during the period of the Mare Forum Chios conference.

Participants are therefore kindly advised to arrange and issue their air tickets at their earliest convenience in order to avoid possible availability constraints closer to the event dates.

.....

‍

P R O G R A M M E

[Stay tuned — the final list of speakers, panellists, will be announced soon!]

Bold Ideas. Dynamic Discussions. Real Opportunities. Join shipowners, financiers, innovators, policymakers, charterers, entrepreneurs, and visionary leaders for a full dayof high-level debates, networking, and strategic insights shaping the future of maritime industries.

08:30 – 09:30

Registration- Welcome Coffee – Executive Networking

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

09:30 – 10:30
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.

PANELLISTS:
- Ioannis Kostoulas, President, Mare Forum
- Antonios Stamos Faraklas, ManagingDirector, Chartworld Shipping Corporation
- Theofilos Xenakoudis, Chief Commercial Officer, IRI/TheMarshall Islands Registry
- Marina Hadjimanolis, Shipping Deputy Minister, Cyprus
- Representative Ministry (Greece)
- Dimitris Monioudis, Managing Director, Rethymnis &Kulukundis Ltd and Chairman, INTERCARGO Technical Committee and CONFERENCE MODERATOR

10:30 – 11:20
Session 2

Geopolitics First: The Game Has Changed

Mastering Global Waters Under Threats

PANELLISTS:
- John Platsidakis, Costamare Shipping Company S.A. | Shipping Executive| Honorary Chairman of Intercargo
- Plamen Tonchev,  Head of Asia Unit, Institute of International Economic Relations and MERICS European China Policy Fellow
‍- George Tsavliris, Principal, Tsavliris Salvage Group
‍- Charles Ellinas, CEO & Founder, EC Cyprus Natural HydrocarbonsCompany Ltd (eCNHC)
- Costas Th. Kontes Chief Commercial Officer, NavilandsManagement Holdings S.A
‍- Erhan Esinduy, Foreign Relations Commission Member, TurkishShipbuilders Association, GISBIR
‍- Theofilos Xenakoudis Chief Commercial Officer, IRI/TheMarshall Islands Registry
- Dwain Hutchinson, Managing Director and CEO, Bahamas Maritime Authority,
‍
‍- Audience Participants

11:20 – 12:10 ‍

Networking Break

12:10 – 13:00
Session 3

Is the Maritime Energy Transition Under Siege?

Between Ambition and Reality — Where Do We Stand?

PANELLISTS:
- Chengi Kuo, Professor Emeritus,University of Strathclyde
- George Koufos, Manager Business Development, ABS
- Jan Jaap Nieuwenhuis, Managing Director, Conoship International
- Theodosis Stamatellos, Global Technical Client Care Director,Lloyd's Register
- Evangelos Boulougouris, Professor, Head of Department at Naval Architecture, Ocean and MarineEngineering, University of Strathclyde
- Kostas Petrakis, HSQE Director atChartworld
- Dionissis Christodoulopoulos, Managing Director Greece, Cyprus and Balkan Countries,Everllence Hellas Ltd
- Angelos Roupas Pantaleon, European Mar LDA- Greek Representative, Second Wind & Partners
- Nurettin Caliskan, President International Relations, TurkishShipbuilders Association GISBIR
- Audience Participants

13:00 – 14:00‍

Networking Light Lunch

14:00 – 15:10
Session 4

SmartCapital: Where Should the Money Go in 2026 and Beyond?
Finance & Strategy: What Owners Want — What Capital Providers Expect

Your competitive advantage begins with the right intelligence.

PANELLISTS:
‍
The market:

‍- John Cotzias, Projects & Finance, Xclusiv Shipbrokers Inc
- Theodoros Kontes, Honorary President, Greek Cruise Ship Owners Association andDirector, Majestic International Cruises Inc
- Dionyssios Theodoratos,Deputy CEO of Attica Group &President of the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN)
‍- Cass Technava Representative
- Liona- Eleonora Bachas, Hellaschart - shipbroker bulkers & containers (to be confirmed)
- Hellenic Short Sea Shipowners Association Representative (invited)

‍Shipfinance:
‍-Theofanis Moustakatos, Head of Shipping, National Bank of Greece, NBG
‍- Stefanos Fragos, CEO, Allied Shipbroking
‍- Marina Tzoutzouraki, CFO and co-founder, eShipfinance
- George Xiradakis, President of the Association ofBanking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping, CEO, XRTC BusinessConsultants Ltd,
- Audience Participants

15:10 – 16:00
Session 5

The rise of next-gen tech - challenges and opportunities: Cybersecurity, AI,automation, Digitalisation

PANELLISTS:
- Vassilios Dimoulas, Technology & Innovation Director EMA zone, BureauVeritas
- Panos Theodosopoulos, CEO, METIS
- Cui Yuwei, Manager, China Class Society, CCS
- Jonathan Jones, Managing Director of JLJ Maritime
- Dimitris Lyras, ManagingDirector, Ulysses Systems
- Maarten Sickler Director Sales, Conoship International
- Dagfinn Lunde, Chairmanand Co-founder, eShipfinance.com, DagMar Navigation Ltd
- Audience Participants
‍

16:00 – 16:50
Session 6

The Shipowners’ Roundtable: The Gamble for Tomorrow – Investing in People

PANELLISTS:
- Antonios Stamos Faraklas, Managing Director, Chartworld Shipping Corporation
- Leonidas Polemis, CEO, Empire Chemical Tankers
- John Fafalios, GeneralOperations Manager, Fafalios Limited and CEO, Care4C
- Dimitris Patrikios,Managing Director, VShips Greece
- Andreas Hadjipetrou, ChiefCommercial Officer, Columbia Group
- Marina Christoulaki, OPERATIONS FLEET MANAGER, NAVARONE SA
- Serafeim Kapros, Professor,University of the Aegean
‍- Ilias Bissias,Asst. Professor Dept. of Shipping, Trade & Transport, University of theAegean
‍- Kostas Petrakis, HSQE Director at ChartworldShipping Corporation

16:50 – 17:40
Session 7

Greece towards The Singapore of Europe.
How can Maritime Europe and Greece strengthen its competitiveness in an increasingly complex, highly competitive global market?

PANELLISTS:

- Costas Constantinou, Managing Partner, Moore Greece and Moore'sGlobal Shipping Leader
- Charles Ellinas, CEO &Founder, EC Cyprus Natural Hydrocarbons Company Ltd (eCNHC)
- John Platsidakis,Costamare Shipping Company S.A. | Shipping Executive | Honorary Chairman ofIntercargo
- Theodoros Kontes, Honorary President, Greek Cruise Ship Owners Association
- Theofanis Moustakatos, Head of Shipping, National Bank of Greece,NBG
- Dionyssios Theodoratos, Deputy CEO of Attica Group  & President  of the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN)
- George Xiradakis, President of the Association ofBanking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping, CEO, XRTC BusinessConsultants Ltd,
- more panellists to be announced
- Audience Participants

17:40 – 18:00
Session 8

Roadmap for the future
Strategic Conclusions and Recommendations

PANELLISTS:
- Ioannis Kostoulas, President, Mare Forum
- Antonios Stamos Faraklas, ManagingDirector, Chartworld Shipping Corporation
- Theofilos Xenakoudis, Chief Commercial Officer, IRI/TheMarshall Islands Registry

18:00 – 19:30 ‍

DRINKS - Relaxed,elegant, and unforgettable, end the day with great company and Chios hospitality

.....

SATURDAY 9 MAY‍

Social Programme

10:30 - 14:30 Visiting the famous villages of Chios

‍

......

CONFERENCE VENUE/HOTEL:

If you wish to book your room at the conference venue, CHIOS CHANDRIS HOTEL, at special Mare Forum discounted rates:
‍Visit: https://www.chioschandrishotel.gr/
‍Select your stay dates and room preferences, then enter the special booking code mare26fo (at the top of the hotel webpage) to access the Mare Forum rates.

ADDRESS: CHIOS CHANDRIS HOTEL, 2nd Evgenias Chandri str., Chios Island - GRTEL: 0030 2271044401-10