UK Chamber of Shipping unveils Shipping UK 2026: Navigating the Future
Flagship Westminster conference to bring together shipping leaders, policymakers and defence strategists to examine sustainability, security and the future of maritime
London, UK – The UK Chamber of Shipping has unveiled details of Shipping UK 2026: Navigating the Future, its flagship international conference, which will take place at the QEII Centre, Westminster, on Tuesday 6 October 2026. Tickets are now on sale.
Hosted by the UK Chamber of Shipping in partnership with Riviera Maritime Media, Shipping UK 2026 will bring together senior figures from shipping, government, finance, defence and technology to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the maritime sector as it looks towards 2030.
With geopolitical tensions affecting global trade and shipping facing increasing pressure to decarbonise while maintaining secure and resilient operations, the conference will examine the UK’s role in international maritime policy and the practical implications for shipowners, operators and the wider industry.
The programme will look at the connections between regulation, security, finance, technology, workforce requirements and the energy transition, with a particular focus on the decisions the industry will need to make over the next few years.
Rhett Hatcher, Chief Executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping, said:
“Shipping is central to the UK’s economic strength, energy security and national resilience. At a time of geopolitical uncertainty and accelerating climate ambition, Shipping UK 2026 will bring together the people who can turn strategy into practical action.
“This is not just dialogue; it is about shaping the decisions, partnerships and investment needed to support a sustainable, competitive and secure maritime sector through to 2030 and beyond.”
Edwin Lampert, Executive Editor and Head of Business Relations at Riviera Maritime Media, said:
“Riviera Maritime Media is proud to partner with the UK Chamber of Shipping on Shipping UK 2026. This event brings together some of the most influential voices in global maritime to address the defining challenges of our time: sustainability, security and strategic competitiveness.”
Two conference streams
Shipping UK 2026 will combine keynote addresses, senior-level panel discussions, specialist breakout sessions and plenary debates across two main programme streams.
The conference will open with a panel entitled “The triple imperative: How sustainability, security and regulation define the 2030 maritime landscape.”
Moderated by Karrie Trauth, EVP Shipping & Maritime at Shell and President of the UK Chamber of Shipping, the session will examine the relationship between international regulation, finance, technology and workforce development as shipping responds to environmental and security pressures.
Panellists will include John Denholm, Chairman of the Board of the International Chamber of Shipping, and Scott Bergeron, Executive Director of Oldendorff Carriers.
The Sustainability and Prosperity programme will examine decarbonisation, transition finance, changing supply chains and the future maritime workforce.
The Security and Innovation stream will focus on geopolitical risk, war readiness, future fuels, digital transformation and the measures shipping companies can take to strengthen operational resilience and commercial performance.
Morning breakout sessions will cover supply chain trends, recruitment and retention, passenger shipping to 2030 and de-risking investment in maritime transition technologies.
Contributors include Jos Standerwick, Head of Membership at the Baltic Exchange and Consultant to Maritime London; Phil Parry, CEO of Spinnaker; Andy Harmer, Managing Director UK & Ireland at CLIA; and Claire Wright, Managing Director of Hanwha Ocean Europe.
Shipping and national security
The relationship between commercial shipping and national security will also form an important part of this year’s programme.
In a keynote address entitled “The 2030 Security Landscape: Aligning commercial maritime interests with UK war readiness,” Major General Paul Maynard OBE, Director Strategy and Policy – Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, Royal Marines, will examine changes in the UK’s approach to protecting critical Atlantic trade routes and what these could mean for commercial maritime operators.
The afternoon programme will include breakout discussions on risk mitigation, future fuel pathways, digital return on investment and protecting commercial margins.
Sessions will feature senior industry figures including John Stawpert, Principal Director Marine at the International Chamber of Shipping; Virginia Crosbie, Managing Director of NEMO; Nick Chubb, Founder of Thetius; and Nicolas Ponet, Head of Sales at Vanguard Tech.
Global financial commentator and broadcaster Susannah Streeter will moderate the conference and lead plenary discussions bringing together the main conclusions from the breakout sessions.
With the event taking place in Westminster, delegates will also have the opportunity to hear directly from policymakers, regulators and senior decision-makers at a time when maritime policy is being shaped by significant economic, environmental and security pressures.
Shipping UK 2026 will focus firmly on the years ahead, examining the decisions shipping companies, governments and investors will need to make as they prepare for the operating environment of 2030.
The conference will conclude with “The Way Ahead”, drawing together the main themes from the day and considering the actions required to support a sustainable, competitive and secure maritime sector.
A networking drinks reception hosted by the UK Chamber of Shipping will follow in the exhibition area at the QEII Centre.
Shipping UK 2026: Navigating the Future takes place on Tuesday 6 October 2026 at the QEII Centre, Westminster, London. Tickets are now on sale.
