At the Global Maritime Forum Annual Summit 2025, leaders, policymakers, and maritime experts explored a pressing question — how can the shipping industry sustain its crucial role amid rising fragmentation and global uncertainty?
According to the Global Maritime Forum (GMF), shipping stands at a crossroads. As the foundation of international trade, it faces mounting pressures from geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, trade disputes, and the growing effects of climate change. These forces are testing the industry’s resilience and driving a deeper conversation about how to safeguard global connectivity in an increasingly divided world.
Belgium’s Minister of Justice and the North Sea, Annelies Verlinden, emphasized that resilience is no longer optional — it is a necessity. “We must manage geopolitical tensions, climate challenges, natural disasters, and insecurities arising from wars, hybrid conflicts, and espionage,” she stated.
This notion of resilience — the ability to adapt, recover, and thrive amid adversity — was also highlighted earlier this year during Crew Welfare Week 2025, underscoring its importance not only at the policy level but also for seafarers who live and work at sea.
Renowned journalist Anne Applebaum reflected on the shifting global order, observing that while the world has always been multipolar, the absence of a strong rule-making power, such as the United States, has created a sense of disorientation.
The Global South at the Forefront of Impact
GMF further noted that while uncertainty affects the entire maritime ecosystem, countries in the Global South face heightened vulnerability.
Kamal-Deen Ali, Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, explained that Africa’s fragility is being amplified by environmental pressures and global political shifts. “Governance is key to resilience,” he stressed, pointing out that peace and security on land are intertwined with maritime security at sea.
Adding to this, Arvin Boolell, Mauritius’ Minister of Blue Economy and Fisheries, highlighted the indispensable role of maritime trade for island nations. “If a country like Mauritius doesn’t export, it dies. Shipping is not only shopping — it is life, livelihood, lifestyle, and living,” he said, capturing the essence of how deeply shipping is woven into national survival.
Collaboration as the Path Forward
As protectionism rises and geopolitical frictions reshape global trade, industry leaders at the summit agreed on one central theme — collaboration is the only viable path.
“We need to invest in multilateralism, working together to overcome these issues,” said Verlinden, emphasizing that no single nation, no matter its size, can solve such challenges alone.
Echoing this sentiment, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez urged dialogue as a cornerstone for progress: “We sort out challenges by facing each other — understanding where we’re coming from and what needs to be done.”
His remarks reflect a consistent call for constructive dialogue within the maritime community, especially at a time when tensions continue to threaten maritime safety and operational stability.
An Industry Built on Adaptability
Despite the current challenges, the tone of the summit remained one of cautious optimism. Meei Wong, CEO of Circle Digital Ventures, reminded the audience that shipping has endured and evolved through centuries of disruption.
“Shipping is a very old industry — there’s nothing it hasn’t seen. It’s resilient, ever-changing, and people in this sector adapt quickly,” she remarked.
The Global Maritime Forum’s 2025 summit underscored a timeless truth: in a world growing more fragmented, collaboration, resilience, and adaptability remain the industry’s strongest anchors.
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Source: Safety4Sea
