The Mare Forum Odyssey continues — next stop: Rotterdam.
Following the success of the 23 previous Mare Forum Ship Finance events held in the Netherlands – and the numerous Mare Forums hosted in key maritime hubs such as Oslo, Geneva, Monaco, Athens, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Mykonos, Rotterdam, Singapore, and across the USA — we are delighted to announce our return to Rotterdam for the 24th Mare Forum Ship Finance 2025 – The Capital Providers – Shipowners, Dialogue, on Wednesday 5 November
Theme: The Capital Providers – Shipowners, Dialogue
Date: Wednesday, 5 November 2025
Venue: Ahoy Exhibition Centre, Rotterdam (In conjunction with: International Europort Exhibition)
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 Brilliant Maritime Minds Converge to Shape the Future
If you want answers, connections, and inspiration, this is where you’ll find them.
No scripted monologues, no corporate boring, and predictable speeches – Just sharp, unfiltered debates and honest conversations between brilliant minds on the biggest maritime questions of our time:
PROGRAMME – REGISTER NOW
https://www.mareforum.com/
TENTATIVE LIST OF PANELLISTS:
– Annet Koster Managing Director, Royal Association of Netherlands’ Shipowners
– Pieter Baan Director, ING Business Banking Shipping
– Sotiris Raptis Secretary General, European Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) (tbc)
– Ioannis Kostoulas President, Mare Forum
– Thecla Bodewes CEO, Royal T Shipyards
– Pieter van der Burg, Managing Director, NESEC
– Jan-Willem Schellingerhout Head Dutch Shipping, Hamburg Commercial Bank
– Gilbèrt de Bock Managing Director, De Bock Maritime B.V.
– Robert Wester, Director, Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd
– Rico Luman Senior Economist – research lead – global sector research, ING Bank
– Nienke Blans CFO, MSea Group
– Stephen Walsh Head of Brokerage, SCB Environmental Markets SA
– Caspar van Overklift , Business Development & Manager ESG, ForestWave, Member of Spliethoff Group
– Geert Dokter, CEO, Conoship International BV
– Michiel Steeman, Managing Partner, Zuyderzee Capital
– Paul Altena Director, International Safety, Environmental, Digitalization and Classification Affairs, Sea Europe
– Michael de Visser Managing Director, SEAHORSE Consulting & Invest
– George Xiradakis President of the Association of Banking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping and CEO, XRTC Business Consultants Ltd.
– Marc Buijs Lending Specialist and Board Member, Young Maritime, ING BANK and and Board Member, Young Maritime
– Marina Tzoutzouraki, CFO and co-founder, eShipfinance com
– Connie Roozen Tax Partner, C&B More
– Erhan Esinduy Managing Director – ESKOMARINE
– Fabrizio Vettosi Managing Director, VSL Club SpA Investment & Advisory
– Yannis Triphyllis Board Member, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping
– Joep Gorgels CFO / CBDO – Chief Financial and Business Development Officer, EST- FLOATTECH
– Francesco Morici Chartering Manager, Christiania Shipping
– Phrixos Papachristidis Chief Executive Officer, Hellespont Group
– Francesco Fuselli Managing Director, Banchero Costa & co
– Katalin Dobranszky Senior Director, Policy Analysis, Social Affairs and Finance, European Shipowners (ECSA)
– Dagfinn Lunde Chairman and Co-founder / Chairman eShipfinance.com, DagMar Navigation Ltd / Cleaves Securities AS
– Heleen Quint Senior Export Credit Specialist, Atradius Dutch State Business
– Nurettin Caliskan President International Relations,, Turkish Shipbuilders Association GISBIR
– Nemos Kostoulas Managing Director and Founder, Phaeste Innovations
– Peter Molloy Managing Director, Sea3R
– Harris Antoniou Founder and Managing Director, Neptune Maritime Leasing
– Erik Witjens Chairman, Rotterdam Maritime Services Community RMSC
– Sean Fairley Principal Consultant, DREWRY
– Wouter Guijt, Founder, Nexus Energy
– Tim Voorham, senior associate Zuyderzee Capital,
– Robert Mackay Insurance Broker, FDR
– Esther Roth Program manager Maritime Cluster, City of Rotterdam
– Sam Peetsold Director Investments and Finance, Dutch Shipping Investments, DSI
– Thijs Slavenburg Managing Partner, Zuyderzee Capital
more panellists to be announced – stay tuned
THEMES TO BE DISCUSSED:
Geopolitics First!– The Game Has Changed. Who’s afraid of the current and future geopolitical trends in trade, shipping, and ship finance?
Navigating the storms of global uncertainty in trade and shipping.
Smart Investment Moves: Where should the money go? Market predictions in containers, dry bulk, tankers, cruise ships, gas carriers, etc. Top analysts, investors, charterers, and owners. Opportunities abound in shipping and commodity markets—find the smart bets of tomorrow.
Shipowners’ Strategies – Owners’ visions of the fleet of the future are shaped by bold decisions today.
Diversification in types, whether big or small, public or private? Grow or consolidate? Where to invest your money today? Investing and Financing Requirements
Finance & Strategy What shipowners want… what capital provides. Alternative ship finance, leasing, bonds, short Sea Shipping,
Bridging the gap between ambition and investment.
Maritime Energy Transition and Security – Waiting for Godot.The long and winding voyage toward a greener maritime future.
Alternative Fuels and Propulsion Systems: CO2 captures, nuclear, debunking myths and examining production capacities and infrastructure.
Progress. Setbacks. Momentum. Making money while investing in green and innovative shipping
Next-Gen Technology– Investing in AI in Shipping, Automation, and Innovation. – Realities and Myths
Revolutionising shipping, trade, and logistics
People First – Creating tomorrow’s talent for shipping, trade, and logistics.
Invest in People, build the future.
Enhancing the European and Netherlands Maritime Competitiveness – Creating a brilliant European and Netherlands maritime future.
A strategic dialogue on: Shipping • Maritime Hubs • Ship Finance & Investment • Shipbuilding & Marine Equipment • Research & Development • Related Industries • High-Value Maritime Services.
A powerful exchange of ideas with the sea’s key stakeholders:Shipowners, charterers, regulators, shipbuilders, equipment manufacturers, investors, capital providers, ports, consultants, and entrepreneurs. Together, they will confront challenges, seize emerging opportunities, and shape the future of European and Dutch maritime leadership.
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.
If you are an owner needing help finding a good capital provider, come to Mare Forum. Here they are.
If you are a capital provider needing help finding a good owner, come to Mare Forum and meet them.
If you are in shipping and ship finance and want to know what will happen next, come to Mare Forum. Good answers will be there.
Rest assured, the Mare Forum Shipfinance conference will be an inspiring and enriching experience.
We are excited to see you participate.
Kind regards,
MARE FORUM
https://www.mareforum.com/
PROGRAMME – REGISTER NOW
https://www.mareforum.com/
