Friday, 8 May 2026 | Chios Chandris Hotel | Chios Island, Greece
Some places don’t just host conferences. They define why shipping exists.
Chios and Oinousses are not simply islands — they are the birthplace of some of the world’s most influential shipping dynasties. Remarkably, nearly 12% of the global fleet is controlled by shipowners originating from these two communities. Their legacy, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit have shaped international shipping for generations.
Mare Forum is proud to bring its conference series to Chios for the very first time.
The 1st Mare Forum Chios 2026 is a landmark event — backed by leading partners Chartworld Shipping Corporationand IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry — and will bring together the industry’s top minds for a full day of high-level debate, strategic dialogue, and genuine networking in one of the most storied maritime settings on earth.
Why You Should Be in Chios on May 8
Forget passive presentations. Mare Forum is built on unscripted, spirited debate — where panellists and the audience alike drive the conversation. Here is what to expect:
Bold Topics. Geopolitics and trade disruption. The energy transition under pressure. Smart capital allocation. AI, cybersecurity and digitalisation. Shipowner investment in people. Greece’s role as the Singapore of Europe.
Senior Voices. Every seat at the table is occupied by someone who actually makes decisions — shipowners, financiers, charterers, policymakers, regulators, and innovators.
Real Networking. Morning coffee, a networking lunch, and an elegant drinks reception at the end of the day — all in the unique setting of Chios
One Day, One Destination, Unlimited Impact.
Programme at a Glance — Friday, 8 May 2026
08:30 – 09:30 | Registration, Welcome Coffee & Executive Networking
09:30 – 10:30 | Session 1: Setting the Scene — Opening, Welcome & Keynote Speakers
10:30 – 11:20 | Session 2: Geopolitics First: The Game Has Changed — Mastering Global Waters Under Threats
11:20 – 12:10 | Networking Break
12:10 – 13:00 | Session 3: Is the Maritime Energy Transition Under Siege? Between Ambition and Reality
13:00 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch
14:00 – 14:50 | Session 4: SmartCapital — Where Should the Money Go in 2026 and Beyond?
14:50 – 15:40 | Session 5: The Rise of Next-Gen Tech — Cybersecurity, AI, Automation & Digitalisation
15:40 – 16:20 | Session 6: The Shipowners’ Roundtable — The Gamble for Tomorrow: Investing in People
16:20 – 17:10 | Session 7: Greece Towards the Singapore of Europe — Strengthening Maritime Competitiveness
17:10 – 17:30 | Session 8: Roadmap for the Future — Strategic Conclusions & Recommendations
17:30 – 19:00 | Drinks Reception — Relaxed, Elegant & Unforgettable
Saturday, 9 May (optional): Social Programme — Visiting the famous villages of Chios
List of panelists:
More panelists to be announced. The following have already confirmed their participation:
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, JLJ Maritime
George Tsavliris — Principal, Tsavliris Salvage Group
Dimitris Monioudis — Managing Director, Rethymnis & Kulukundis Ltd; Chairman, INTERCARGO Technical Committee
George Koufos — Manager Business Development, ABS
Theofanis Moustakatos — Head of Shipping, National Bank of Greece (NBG)
Dionyssios Theodoratos — Deputy CEO, Attica Group; President, Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN)
Plamen Tonchev — Head of Asia Unit, Institute of International Economic Relations; MERICS European China Policy Fellow
Chengi Kuo — Professor Emeritus, University of Strathclyde
John Platsidakis — Shipping Executive, Costamare Shipping Company S.A.; Honorary Chairman, INTERCARGO
Andreas Hadjipetrou — Chief Commercial Officer, Columbia Group
Charles Ellinas — CEO & Founder, EC Cyprus Natural Hydrocarbons Company Ltd (eCNHC)
Dimitris Patrikios — Managing Director, V.Ships 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 S.A.
Theodoros Kontes — Honorary President, Greek Cruise Ship Owners Association; Director, Majestic International Cruises Inc.
Ilias Bissias — Assistant Professor, Dept. of Shipping, Trade & Transport, University of the Aegean
Nurettin Caliskan — President of International Relations, Turkish Shipbuilders Association (GISBIR)
George Xiradakis — CEO, XRTC Business Consultants Ltd; President, Association of Banking & Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping
Angelos Roupas Pantaleon — European Mar LDA – Greek Representative, Second Wind & Partners
John Fafalios — General Operations Manager, Fafalios Limited; CEO, Care4C
Georgios Kostoulas — Executive Director, Mare Forum
Marina Tzoutzouraki — CFO & Co-founder, eShipfinance.com
Erhan Esinduy — Foreign Relations Commission Member, Turkish Shipbuilders Association (GISBIR)
Dagfinn Lunde — Chairman & Co-founder, eShipfinance.com; Chairman, Cleaves Securities AS; DagMar Navigation Ltd
os Boulougouris — Professor & Head of Department, 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 & Africa, Bureau Veritas
Stefanos Fragos — CEO, Allied Shipbroking
Costas Constantinou — Managing Partner, Moore Greece; Moore Global Shipping Leader
Kostas Petrakis — HSQE Director, Chartworld Shipping Corporation
Panos Theodosopoulos — CEO, METIS
Cui Yuwei — Manager, China Classification Society (CCS)
Maarten Sickler — Director Sales, Conoship International
Getting There & Where to Stay
Conference Venue: Chios Chandris Hotel 2nd Evgenias Chandri Str., Chios Island, Greece Tel: +30 2271 044401–10
Special Mare Forum hotel rate available. Visit chioschandrishotel.gr, select your dates, and enter booking code mare26fo at the top of the page to unlock the discounted rate
Important Travel Notice The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (YPA) is currently carrying out infrastructure upgrade works at Chios Airport. Flight capacity to and from Chios may be limited around the event dates. We strongly advise all participants to book their flights as early as possible
Registration: €300
Questions? Write to us at hello@mareforum.com
