8th Mare Forum Geneva 2025

This prestigious conference is where the shipping and trading industry's clever minds -principals and executives- come together to explore the future.

Here, attendees don’t just listen; they actively engage in vibrant discussions, debating the future of shipping, global trade, geopolitics, energy transition and security, decarbonisation, investments, ship finance, artificial intelligence and digitalisation and the all-important Human Factor.

Unlike traditional conferences packed with monotonous presentations and predictable speeches, Mare Forum is a dynamic platform where discussions come alive. Panellists and attendees interact seamlessly, ensuring every session is an engaging and thought-provoking experience.

Expect a powerful convergence of industry leaders, including shipping executives, shipowners, ship managers, charterers, traders, investors, energy executives, regulators, maritime lawyers, consultants, shipbuilders, classification societies, and innovative entrepreneurs.

This gathering promises unmatched networking opportunities, sparking new ideas and partnerships.

If you work in shipping and trade and want to stay ahead of the curve, you should attend the 8^th Mare Forum Geneva 2025.

We look forward to your participation

MARE FORUM

‍
P R O G R A M M E ‍

Wednesday, 12 March, at the Hotel Beau-Rivage Geneva
‍

LIST OF PANNELISTS (Tentative)

[The list of speakers and discussion panellists will be published soon - stay tuned]

- Zhongyi (John) Su Group Chairman & CEO, Erasmus Shipinvest Group
- Keith Dawe Head of Decarbonisation and Energy Transition, Cargill Ocean Transportation
- Salvatore Castellano Freight Decarbonization Manager, COFCO
- Michael Kleiner Economic Development Officer, REPUBLIC AND STATE OF GENEVA
- Harris Antoniou Founder and Managing Director Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd, Board Member Zug Commodity Association)
- Ioannis (Jannis) Kostoulas, President, Mare Forum
- Maryana Yarmolenko Stober, Associate General Counsel EMEA at ADM. and President, WISTA Switzerland
- Alberto Perez Head of Maritime Commercial Markets, Lloyd's Register
- Geert Dokter CEO, Conoship International BV
- Pierre Pochard Business Development Manager, DNV
- Andreas Chrysikos Sales Manager, GLANDER Bunkering
- Mark Assaf Chief Human Resources Development Section, TRAINFORTRADE., UNCTAD
- Maarten Sickler Director Sales, Conoship International
- Yasmina Rauber General Secretary of the ZCA (Zug Commodity Association) / Founder of YAS Coaching
- Mathilde de Mareuil Headhunter at Shipping & Trading Network (STN) Vice President at WISTA CH
- Matthis Pasche General Secretary, CTA Association
- Frida Youssef Chief, Transport Section, Trade Logistics Branch/ DTL UNCTAD
- Jan Fransen Managing Director, Green Award
- Philippe Nasr President, CTA Association
- Nikolas G. Theodorou Chief Strategy Officer & Director, ABC Maritime AG & ABC Hellenic Mgt. Ltd.
- Serge Claus Education & Training Manager SUISSENÉGOCE
- Mike Konstantinidis, Managing Director, Vessel Optimisation, ZeroNorth A/S
- Oriane Minger Carbon Finance Manager, SCB Environmental Markets SA
- Andrew Wilson Head of Energy Research, Barry Roliano Sales (BRS)
‍- Katalin Dobranszky Senior Director Policy Analysis, Social Affairs and Finance, European Community Shipowners Association ECSA
- Francesco Morici Chartering Manager, Christiania Shipping
- Soizick Jegou Director Supply chain, HELM SWISS GmbH
- Mustafa El Zein Alternative Fuels trading, Glander International Bunkering (Dubai)
- Cyrus Goharian, Finance specialist at DS Energy
- Liliane Flour Division on Technology and Logistics, UN trade & development
- Akshat Singhal, Carbon Lead, Olam Agri
- Volkmar Galke Director, WinGD
‍- More panelists to be announced

12:00
Registration

13:10
Session 1

Opening and Welcome

Ioannis (Jannis) Kostoulas, President, Mare Forum
Zhongyi (John) Su Group Chairman & CEO, Erasmus Shipinvest Group and [CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN]
Michael Kleiner Economic Development Officer, REPUBLIC AND STATE OF GENEVA
Maryana Yarmolenko Stober, Associate General Counsel EMEA at ADM. and President WISTA Switzerland
more speakers to be announced

13:30
Session 2

Who is afraid of the Future? Making Profitable Investments in an Unpredictable Future

Join insights and perceptions from shipping executives, analysts, charterers, shipbuilders, regulators, and capital providers.

Global Uncertainty, Geopolitics: 

- Exploring the unpredictable landscape of global trade and shipping.
- Addressing world tensions, regionalisation, evolving trade patterns, and supply chain disruptions.
‍
The Commodities and Shipping Market Outlook:

- Coal, iron ore, Agri-commodities and Containers. Analysing trends and trade patterns   

- Chemicals, Oil and gas Analyzing trends and trade patterns

- Short Sea Shipping Outlook Analysing trends and trade patterns

The Future of AI in Shipping Realities and  Myths
- What are the key challenges in implementing AI at scale in the maritime and trading sector?

SESSION CHAIRMAN:
Harris Antoniou Founder and Managing Director Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd, Board Member Zug Commodity Association)
DISCUSSION PANELLISTS:
Frida Youssef Chief, Transport Section, Trade Logistics Branch/ DTL UNCTAD
Francesco Morici Chartering Manager, Christiania Shipping
Geert Dokter CEO, Conoship International BV
Andrew Wilson Head of Energy Research, Barry Roliano Sales (BRS)
Zhongyi (John) Su Group Chairman & CEO, Erasmus Shipinvest Group
Mike Konstantinidis, Managing Director, Vessel Optimisation, ZeroNorth A/S
Katalin Dobranszky Senior Director Policy Analysis, Social Affairs and Finance, European Community ECSA
Cyrus Goharian, Finance specialist at DS Energy
Akshat Singhal, Carbon Lead, Olam Agri

14:30
Session 3

Waiting for Godot! - The Maritime Energy Transition

Are we progressing, or are we taking one step ahead and two steps backwards?
‍A critical look at the journey towards energy sustainability in shipping.

- Energy Production Outlook: Current trends and forecasts
- Alternative Fuels: Debunking myths and examining production capacities and infrastructure.
- Preparing for Change: Assessing readiness for retrofits and the capacity of repair yards.
- Port Infrastructure Needs: Identifying essential upgrades and action plans.
- Accelerating Transformation: The role of industry-wide initiatives like green corridors etc
- Immediate Actions:  What can we do now to help accelerate the     availability of zero-carbon ships while at the same time reducing shipping’s footprint: slow steaming, retrofits, ESG reporting, and     verification
- Innovations and Realities: New technologies and successful decarbonisation case studies.‍
- Trends in Short-Sea Shipping

SESSION CHAIRMAN:
Alberto Perez Head of Maritime Commercial Markets, Lloyd's Register
DISCUSSION PANELLISTS:
Keith Dawe Head of Decarbonisation and Energy Transition, Cargill Ocean Transportation
Salvatore Castellano Freight Decarbonization Manager, COFCO
Maarten Sickler Director Sales, Conoship International
Jan Fransen Managing Director, Green Award
Nikolas G. Theodorou Chief Strategy Officer & Director, ABC Maritime AG & ABC Hellenic Mgt. Ltd.
Oriane Minger Carbon Finance Manager, SCB Environmental Markets SA
Mustafa El Zein Alternative Fuels trading, Glander International Bunkering (Dubai)
Andrew Wilson Head of Energy Research, Barry Roliano Sales (BRS)
Volkmar Galke Director, WinGD
‍
15:40
Networking Break

 16:00
Session 4

Investing in People, Creating the Future Talent in Shipping, Trade and Logistics

‍Addressing the human capital trends essential for the industry’s evolution.

- Skillset Demands: The necessity for new skills, charisma, diversity, and talent in shipping. How to achieve this?
- Attracting New Talent: What are the strategies to engage and recruit the next generation?
- Educational Role: What is the role of shipping and trading education in a sustainable context?
- Future Trends: Understanding what the younger generation seeks in a career.
- Industry Image: Strategies for improving the public perception of shipping. 

SESSION CHAIR:
Yasmina Rauber General Secretary of the ZCA (Zug Commodity Association) / Founder of YAS Coaching
DISCUSSION PANELLISTS:
Mark Assaf Chief Human Resources Development Section, TRAINFORTRADE., UNCTAD
Philippe Nasr President, CTA Association
Mathilde de Mareuil Headhunter, Shipping & Trading Network (STN)
Serge Claus Education & Training Manager SUISSENÉGOCE
Liliane Flour Division on Technology and Logistics, UN trade & development
Soizick Jegou Director Supply chain, HELM SWISS GmbH
Nikos Marmatsouris Commercial Partner, Next Maritime
more panellists to be announced soon

16:40
Session 5

Ménage à trois
Strategic Partnerships: Shipowners, Charterers, and Regulators

‍Exploring their interconnected strategies for a sustainable future.

- Competitiveness: Will maritime Switzerland and Europe lose Competitiveness to East and West?  
- Multi-Relationship Dynamics: What is the role of charterers, shipowners, capital providers and regulators in the multi-relationship structure of their interests, focusing on sustainable and commercially viable shipping and trading industry?
- Navigating Regulations: - How can the shipping and trading industry be proactive and create Proactive approaches to international, regional, and local regulations?
- Green Agenda Evolution: Assessing the progress and incentives needed for quality shipping and the ESG agenda.
‍
SESSION CHAIRMAN:
Pierre Pochard Business Development Manager, DNV
DISCUSSION PANELLISTS: (tentative)
- Harris Antoniou Founder and Managing Director Neptune Maritime Leasing Ltd, Board Member Zug Commodity Association)
- Katalin Dobranszky Senior Director Policy Analysis, Social Affairs and Finance, European Community ECSA
- Michael Kleiner Economic Development Officer, REPUBLIC AND STATE OF GENEVA
- Jan Fransen Managing Director, Green Award
- Frida Youssef Chief, Transport Section, Trade Logistics Branch/ DTL UNCTAD
- Francesco Morici Chartering Manager, Christiania Shipping
- Keith Dawe Head of Decarbonisation and Energy Transition, Cargill Ocean Transportation
- Salvatore Castellano Freight Decarbonization Manager, COFCO
- Mike Konstantinidis, Managing Director, Vessel Optimisation, ZeroNorth A/S
- more panellists to be announced
‍

17:20

Conclusions and Recommendations

 17:30 – 19:30

Networking Drinks

- If you are interested in joining as a partner at this mare forum in Geneva and other mare forums around the globe, then contact global@mareforum.com
‍There are many possibilities ahead. 

‍The previous seven forums in Geneva have been powerhouses of bold ideas, spirited debates, and forward-thinking dialogue.