With geopolitical instability, the energy transition, and technological transformation redefining the priorities of global shipping, Posidonia 2026 opens its doors on June 1, aiming to be the largest and most talked-about event in the history of the institution.
More than 40,000 shipping industry professionals from around the world are expected to gather in Athens for an event where insurance, risk management, digitalization, sustainability, and maritime safety are at the heart of the conference program.
Against the backdrop of geopolitical challenges in the Middle East, global shipping is at the center of international attention, highlighting the strategic role of maritime transport in global trade, energy security, and economic stability. With hundreds of ships stranded for months in the Strait of Hormuz and energy supply chains under intense pressure, the resilience of the shipping industry is being tested once again on a global scale.
Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, stated:
“Greek shipping is not just about a select few. It concerns society itself, development, jobs, and the daily lives of citizens. Posidonia is the premier international meeting place where critical decisions regarding the future of global shipping, energy, and the economy are discussed, with a direct impact on local communities and people’s lives.”
In this particularly complex environment, the importance of Posidonia takes on even greater significance, as does the contribution of shipping to maintaining the stability of global trade.
Melina Travlou, president of the Union of Greek Shipowners, stated:
“In an era of international challenges and multiple divisions, Greek shipping, as a pillar of stability, resilience, and global continuity, unites the world and leads with vision, determination, and institutional responsibility. The strategic value of shipping is also highlighted at Posidonia 2026, a prestigious event that promotes meaningful dialogue and cooperation to shape the future of the industry. “We proudly welcome the international shipping community to Greece, home to the world’s strongest shipping industry.”
Georgios Alexandratos, president of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, stated:
“The Posidonia 2026 exhibition once again confirms its role as the premier international meeting place for the global shipping community, where partnerships, ideas, and new perspectives for the present and future of the industry are born. It is the place where shipping is not merely presented, but evolves.”
Ioannis K. Lyras, chairman of the Poseidonia Steering Committee, noted that this year’s event is taking place amid intense geopolitical tensions and increased attacks on commercial shipping, while also highlighting the importance of international cooperation and peaceful trade.
This year’s exhibition will host a record number of 24 national pavilions—including the official delegations from Germany and Italy, which are returning after a long absence—at the 45,000-square-meter exhibition space of the Athens Metropolitan Expo.
In total, 2,227 exhibitors from 83 countries and territories will participate in the event, representing every sector of the international shipping industry. Compared to the 2024 event, the number of exhibitors has increased by nearly 9%.
The rapid technological transformation of shipping will be strongly reflected at Posidonia 2026, with more than 30 exhibitors presenting Artificial Intelligence applications and capabilities specifically designed for shipping activities.
At the same time, the industry’s accelerating transition toward sustainability and regulatory compliance is driving demand for environmental technologies, with approximately 100 exhibitors showcasing solutions that support shipping’s journey toward net-zero emissions.
Theodoros Vokos, CEO of “Posidonia Exhibitions,” stated during the press conference prior to the event’s opening:
“The crisis in the Gulf highlighted the resilience of the shipping industry, which not only responded effectively to the challenges but also reaffirmed its importance to the global economy, continuing to operate seamlessly and support international trade under adverse conditions.”
As he noted, Posidonia 2026 has essentially already begun, as conferences, business meetings, and networking events have been taking place for weeks prior to the official opening.
At the same time, he estimated that the economic impact of this year’s event will be the largest in the institution’s history, with the total revenue generated expected to exceed 100 million euros.
Yannis Moralis, mayor of Piraeus, stated that the city welcomes the international shipping community with great joy, highlighting Piraeus’s longstanding connection to shipping and its role as one of Europe’s most important ports.
Posidonia 2026 is expected to attract high-level international participants, including the President of Panama, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the European Commissioner for Transport, as well as more than ten ministers and deputy ministers from maritime nations.
The event also reinforces its commitment to sustainability by receiving ISO certification as a sustainable event for the third consecutive year, remaining the first exhibition in Greece to achieve this distinction.
This year’s conference program will include approximately 70 events, several of which will take place outside the exhibition hall due to increased demand. Among the key topics on the agenda, nuclear energy stands out as a potential marine fuel, with a special event examining the role of advanced nuclear technologies in commercial shipping and coastal energy production.
Meanwhile, the Posidonia Games are expanding this year with the addition of the Posidonia Tour cycling race, while proceeds from the sporting events will continue to support charitable organizations and NGOs.
The Posidonia 2026 is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, and the Union of Greek Shipowners, with the support of the Municipality of Piraeus and the Hellenic Maritime Cooperation Committee.