ANNUAL SUMMIT 2026 - PROSPECTS FOR MARITIME TRANSPORT
ANNUAL SUMMIT 2026
The prospects for maritime transport are shaped by a complex mix of technological innovation, geopolitical shifts, environmental imperatives, and economic realignment. Thus, global maritime trade is expected to slow, reflecting fragile global economic conditions and geopolitical tensions. However, due to disruptions in key maritime chokepoints, ships are taking longer routes, increasing voyage distances, alternative ports, and consequent costs. The industry is rapidly adopting AI, big data, and IoT for route optimization, predictive maintenance, and smart port operations, while trials and early deployments of greener ships and autonomous vessels are underway, promising reduced emissions, enhanced safety and efficiency.
Political instability and climate events are reshaping global shipping lanes, and the industry’s focus on sustainability and decarbonization is unchanged. Last, but not least, as deep automation and digital tools become standard, there's a growing need for training and reskilling maritime workers to handle new technologies. Despite short-term challenges—like rising costs, geopolitical instability, and regulatory pressures—the long-term outlook for maritime transport remains cautiously optimistic.
To sum it up: At the Annual Summit 2026 we will look at the growing complexity of being a shipowner.
THURSDAY 16 APRIL
09:30–10:00 REGISTRATION AND COFFEE, TEA & SNACKS
10:00–10.15 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
10:15–12.00 KEYNOTE OPENING SPEAKERS
A geopolitical overview: what world do we operate in?
Audun Kolstad Wiig, Subject Matter Expert Geopolitical Risk, DNB, Oslo
Owning complexity: what we're learning from shipowners trying to navigate an uncertain decade
Martijn Bergink, President, Marine Division Alfa Laval, and CEO of Framo
Q&A session
12:00–13:00 LUNCH
13.00–13.45 The supply chain and port performance relationship: “It’s complicated”
Dr. Jan Hoffmann, Global Lead, Maritime Transport and Ports, World Bank, Online
13:45–14:00 COFFEE BREAK
14:00–14:30 The US right now: an insider’s view on their effort to make American shipbuilding great again - and more
Jon Halvard Bolstad Olsen, Managing Director, Innovation Norway Silicon Valley, and Consul of Commercial Affairs, Royal Norwegian Consulate General, San Francisco
14:30–16:15 MAIN SESSION incl. coffee breaks
WORKSHOP: PROSPECTS FOR MARITIME TRANSPORT
Introduction: Kjartan Bru, Head of Transportation Capital Markets Nordics, BNP Paribas SA, Norway Branch
16:15–17:30 SUMMARY OF GROUP WORKS AND PANEL DISCUSSION
Moderator: Kjartan Bru, Head of Transportation Capital Markets Nordics, BNP Paribas SA, Norway Branch
17:30–18:30 PRE-DINNER SPEAKER
Three decades of building future resilient shipping – perspectives from the regulator. OR: The insider story of what really happened at the IMO that day.
Sveinung Oftedal, Chief Negotiator on Green Shipping in the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, and Chair of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Working Group at the IMO
19:30 APERITIF & ANNUAL SUMMIT DINNER
FRIDAY 17 APRIL
09:00–09:30 Macroeconomic outlook in changing times
Elisabeth Holvik, Chief Economist, SpareBank 1
09:30–10:15 Greener shipping - is it all over?
Anders Valland, Research Manager, SINTEF Ocean
10:15–10:45 People Investment in Shipping - new fuels and the value of trust
Ronald Spithout, Managing Director, OneHealth by VIKAND LLC, USA
10:45–11:15 COFFEE REFILL & MINGLING
11:15–12:45 CLOSING SPEAKERS
Navigating emerging commercial, operating and technology risk
Martin Crawford-Brunt, CEO, Lookout Maritime, London
AI – where do we go?
Paula Doyle, CDO, Aker BP ASA
12:45-13.00 CLOSING REMARKS, LUNCH & END OF SUMMIT
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FEE AND REGISTRATION*:
Members: NOK 12,900
Non-members: NOK 14,900
Price includes all meals, drinks and single room accommodation 1 night which we book for you.
If you have any inquiries or dietary restrictions please contact us on post@shippingoffshorenetwork.no
* TERMS & CONDITIONS: No-shows and cancellations after Thursday 2 April will be invoiced 100%.