Gathered maritime leaders at Zappeion Megaron for a full day of dialogue on sustainability, innovation and responsible growth. The event opened with remarks from Helena Athoussaki, Principal of the ESG Shipping Awards and Chair of the Conference, who highlighted shipping’s global role and responsibility.

The official opening by Minister Vassilis Kikilias emphasized the need for balanced and effective regulation, noting that “Shipping stabilizes global commerce, but regulation must be realistic and fair.”

Mr. George Alexandratos, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, emphasized shipping’s long-standing leadership in transparency, environmental responsibility and social contribution, reminding attendees that “ESG is already part of shipping’s DNA” Bloomberg LP delivered a data-driven keynote exploring the rising influence of sustainable finance, transparency and credible transition plans. Mrs. Irene BermontPenn underlined that long-term business performance is tied to strong ESG foundations, stating that “Companies with long-term ESG integration significantly outperform.” Throughout the day, companies presented tangible ESG strategies across decarbonization, technology, human wellbeing and governance, demonstrating how sustainability frameworks are now embedded in everyday decision-making. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings emphasized transparency, stating “Our reporting framework is designed for full transparency.” Pacific Basin Shipping Limited reinforced its measurable approach: “We commit to responsible, measurable decarbonisation.” Seaven Tanker & Dry Management Inc. highlighted the social dimension, noting “Crew and safety culture define our ESG backbone.” Technological innovation was showcased as a key driver of environmental progress. Columbia Group highlighted operational gains through advanced analytics, noting “AI and digital twins redefine fleet efficiency.” At the ESG Spotlight, DeepSea Technologies echoed this with “If you can measure it, you can reduce it.” Carbon market dynamics were also addressed, with Tallon Commodities Ltd stressing the financial implications of emissions management: “Accepting the ETS early reduces cost. Prices are rising, yet many still don’t hedge—creating avoidable expense.” Stakeholders from ports, fuel suppliers, finance, diplomacy and policy discussed the need for coordinated transition frameworks. This sentiment was captured by H.E Matthew Lodge, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, who noted that “Shipping transition cannot be achieved by one stakeholder alone.” The Hot-Topics Flash Discussion explored the next frontier of the industry, from nuclear potential to automation and cybersecurity. Offering a direct reality check, Dr. George Pateras, Former-President at Hellenic Chamber of Shipping & Deputy Chairman, Contships Management Inc stated, “We all believe nuclear is the only green fuel going forward but the perception must be changed; the next generation must be persuaded of the benefits of nuclear.” Human-focused sessions underscored wellbeing, mental health, connectivity and inclusion as essential to maritime resilience. Companies shared best practices ranging from telemedicine to family engagement, demonstrating the strong link between human factors and operational reliability. As OSM Thome noted, “People are the foundation of maritime resilience.” Education and youth development were presented as strategic imperatives for the future workforce. Maritime academies and youth programs showcased the importance of ESG-integrated training. Capturing this commitment, Tsakos Group stated that “Building youth talent is an industry duty.” Programs such as Adopt-a-Ship were highlighted for inspiring thousands of students and strengthening their connection to maritime careers. Governance discussions emphasized the increasing importance of structured oversight, transparency and accountability. Companies showcased how ESG-linked KPIs, risk management tools and independent boards are reinforcing long-term corporate integrity. As Navios Shipmanagement Holdings Corporation expressed, “Governance is long-term risk management.” The Bloomberg shipowners interview added leadership perspectives on competitiveness, fuel strategy and technological readiness. Dr. Nicolas P. Tsakos, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) Ltd. stressed that “Technology must come before mandates,” while Mr. Stamatis Tsantanis, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (SHIP). added that “Fuel flexibility defines the future.” Live polling during the Conference revealed strong alignment on key industry priorities. Most delegates expect EUA prices to stay above €80 by 2026, while decarbonization technologies were voted the top investment focus for the year. LNG/Bio-LNG emerged as the most likely transition fuel toward 2030 and regulatory uncertainty was identified as the biggest barrier to decarbonization. Notably, threequarters of participants viewed nuclear propulsion as at least somewhat likely by 2040, reflecting growing openness to future-fuel innovation. This year’s Conference welcomed more than 400 participants and representatives from over 200 shipping companies, with contributions on stage from 20 leading ship-owning and ship-management companies, including Alma Shipmanagement & Trading S.A., Capital Ship Management Corp., Century Bulk Carriers Management Co., Chandris (Hellas) Inc., Columbia Group, Contships Management Inc., Latsco Marine Management Inc., Lemissoler Shipmanagement Ltd, Navios Shipmanagement Holdings Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Oceandiva, Oldendorff Carriers GmbH & Co. KG, OSM Thome, Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, Performance Shipping Inc., Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (SHIP)., Seaven Tanker & Dry Management Inc., Silver Lake Shipping Company SA, Star Bulk Carriers Corp., Tsakos Group. Scholarships were awarded by LPC to support ESG-related executive education, reinforcing the Awards’ role in empowering the next generation of maritime leaders. A charitable contribution from the ESG Shipping Awards was also made, with memberships for the Adopt-a-Ship program formally handed over to Mrs. Irene Notias, Director, Adopt a Ship by Project Connect. The closing message was delivered by Mr. Jan Fransen, Chairman of the Judging Committee, who emphasized industry-wide collaboration, noting that “Sustainability is not a sprint. It is a shared journey, and we walk it together as an industry.” He announced submissions for the ESG Shipping Awards 2026 for December 1st , 2025, with the ceremony scheduled for May 15, 2026, in Athens. The elegant layout, seamless production flow, and attention to detail were repeatedly acknowledged, reflecting the work of Ms. Stelina Markoulaki, Event Planner and founder of Digital Shadows, and Ms. Katerina Vasilaki, Producer (The Flying Pig), whose teams delivered a “wonderful set-up” and a highly professional environment for dialogue and collaboration. For more information or media assets, please contact: [email protected]