SHIPROUTE 2026 in Istanbul united 650 maritime leaders to explore geopolitical risks, financing, and the green transition in the industry.
SHIPROUTE 2026, organized by KOSDER, brought together 650 maritime representatives in Istanbul. Geopolitical risks, financing, and green transformation were addressed.
International maritime representatives gathered in Istanbul.
The Shipping Route Istanbul 2026 (SHIPROUTE '26), organized by the Association of Shipowners and Operators (KOSDER), took place on October 8 at the Divan Kuruçeşme in Istanbul. The third conference brought together approximately 650 domestic and foreign representatives from the maritime sector.
Germany participated as a guest country in the organization, where the effects of geopolitical developments on maritime transportation, financing and risk management, green energy, digitalization, and international cooperation were discussed.
Emphasis on international cooperation in opening speeches.
The opening speeches of the conference were delivered by KOSDER Chairman Neslihan Torlak, President of the German Shipowners' Association (VDR) Gaby Bornheim, Germany's Consul General in Istanbul Dr. Regine Grienberger, and Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Durmuş Ünüvar.
Fulvio Carlini, President of the Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA), also gave a speech at the conference.
Effects of geopolitical tensions on maritime transportation were discussed.
In the first panel moderated by Neslihan Torlak, Tamer Kıran, Chairman of the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping, Gaby Bornheim, Dr. Regine Grienberger, and René Gomez, President of the Panama Chamber of Shipping, participated.
The panel evaluated the effects of global geopolitical developments on maritime trade, the challenges faced by international maritime transportation, and the relationships between the sector and political decision-makers.
Financing and risk management in the maritime sector were addressed.
The second panel, moderated by Prof. Dr. Oral Erdoğan, Chairman of the Turkish Lloyd Foundation, focused on the financing needs of the maritime sector.
Speakers included Metin Düzgit, Vice President of ICS, Dr. Jerzy Majewski, Director of NorthCape, Orhan Özalp, Country Manager of Deutsche Bank Turkey, and JJ Wang, CEO of Goldsea International.
The session discussed financing maritime investments in the face of global economic uncertainties, credit solutions, and risk management.
Green energy and digitalization were on the agenda.
The third panel of the conference evaluated the European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS), the FuelEU Maritime regulation, alternative fuels, and digitalization.
The session, moderated by Nils Aden, featured VDR CEO Martin Kröger, FGE NexantECA manager Cüneyt Kazokoğlu, GİSBİR Secretary General Mehtap Özdemir, and OceanScore manager Orestis Nikolopoulos.
The conference concluded with a gala dinner.
Following the three panels held throughout the day, SHIPROUTE 2026 continued with a cocktail and gala dinner. The organization was completed with the participation of executives from international maritime organizations, shipowners, financial institutions, and industry professionals.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
