According to Global Maritime Forum, over 200 executives from the shipping, energy, and financial sectors gathered in Tokyo to discuss shipping decarbonization and set new standards for seafarer well-being at the seventh Global Maritime Forum Annual Summit. This year’s summit, hailed as a success by participants, expanded its community of action by incorporating diverse perspectives.
Announcement for 2025
The event concluded with the announcement that the Global Maritime Forum Summit will take place in Antwerp in 2025. Leaders from the maritime industry, including Antwerp-Bruges CEO Jacques Vandermeiren and CMB.TECH CEO Alexander Saverys emphasized Antwerp’s role as a hub of maritime innovation and its commitment to energy transition and digitalization.
Decarbonization and Industry Transformation
Discussions at the summit focused on accelerating the maritime industry’s decarbonization efforts. International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez expressed confidence that the organization will continue to progress toward its greenhouse gas reduction goals. The summit highlighted the need for economic models to bridge the price gap between traditional and green fuels, stressing that the industry must take immediate action rather than adopt a wait-and-see approach.
Human Sustainability and Seafarer Well-Being
A key theme at the summit was seafarer well-being, with calls for better support and protection. Industry leaders acknowledged the importance of developing universal principles and standards to improve crew welfare. Transparency, trust, and improved working conditions for seafarers were identified as essential steps to ensuring safety and minimizing accidents in the industry.
Governance and Resilience
Governance emerged as a critical area of focus, with participants addressing the need to enhance the maritime sector’s resilience in the face of global challenges such as piracy, cyberattacks, and geopolitical tensions. The discussions centered on maintaining the safety of human life and ensuring the continued functioning of global trade.
Closing Remarks
The summit, supported by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), featured dynamic and productive discussions on complex issues such as decarbonization and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). MOL Chief Operating Officer Toshiaki Tanaka expressed optimism about the industry’s future, anticipating further progress at next year’s summit in Antwerp.
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Source: Global Maritime Forum
