Leaving aside for a moment the discussions on geopolitical issues, cargo capacities, insurance premiums, and freight rates, the third day of Posidonia 2026, the world’s leading shipping exhibition, found industry officials turning their attention to two issues that will shape the next decade for shipping. The safety and dignity of seafarers and the race to decarbonize global shipping dominated discussions in the halls of the Athens Metropolitan Expo, among leading figures—from the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners and the ministers of shipping representing some of the world’s most important maritime nations.
The day’s agenda, shaped by the strong presence of high-level representatives from political and regulatory authorities, demonstrated why Posidonia remains the forum where the shipping world redefines itself.
Asked to describe the most pressing issue on the IMO’s agenda, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated: “The welfare and safety of seafarers is our top priority. The industry depends on its people—the men and women who are on ships every day and are responsible for keeping global trade moving. In conflict zones, seafarers are on the front lines, facing uncertainty, psychological stress, and anxiety about their families. The most pressing issue on our agenda right now is the pursuit of de-escalation and conflict resolution. I will continue to work with all states and stakeholders to defend seafarers.”
This statement takes on particular significance in the current geopolitical climate —with maritime trade routes under pressure from regional conflicts and tensions at key chokepoints, which are increasingly endangering merchant ships and the seafarers on board.
The IMO Secretary-General added:“I call on the industry to stand with the IMO in defending the principle of freedom of navigation, which includes rejecting special transit fees or other discriminatory measures. I hope that at Posidonia we will see strong commitments to the energy transition, with an increased focus on energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels, and with an eye toward the future through orders for dual-fuel ships. Above all, we must continue to invest in the maritime workforce, supporting diversity and inclusion, while also finding more ways to attract the next generation of seafarers.”
No voice carries more weight at Posidonia than that of the Greek shipping community—the largest in the world—and this year, the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Melina Travlou, used her speech to present the perspective of the world’s strongest maritime nation.
As she said,“seafarers should never face conditions of heightened risk, let alone risks to their very lives. We hope that peace and respect for international law will prevail, so that the seas remain open, safe, and free for the benefit of all peoples.”
At the same time, Ms. Traoulou argued that the green transition cannot be treated as a problem that the shipping industry can solve on its own or within a timeline dictated by regulatory processes rather than by the availability of the necessary technologies and infrastructure:“Decarbonizing shipping depends entirely on external factors. The availability of safe fuels, suitable technologies, and adequate infrastructure depends exclusively on other sectors. The green transition must be technologically feasible, economically viable, coordinated at the global level, and based on a level playing field. Otherwise, higher costs will be imposed across the entire supply chain without achieving the corresponding environmental benefits.”
Few flag states have articulated a clearer or more proactive philosophy in response to the current regulatory vacuum than Malta. Its position is based on three interrelated principles: that global solutions must ultimately take precedence over regional ones; that technological neutrality through a goal-based approach is non-negotiable; and that, in the meantime, flag state authorities have a responsibility to fill the regulatory gap with credible and commercially beneficial interventions.
“We are moving forward dynamically, overcoming administrative inertia; if a ship can fully demonstrate its safety through Alternative Design and Arrangements, our technical department will facilitate its immediate entry into service, rather than placing it on hold due to bureaucratic delays,” stated Dr. Ivan Tabone, Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen at the Malta Ship Registry.
The Malta Ship Registry’s approach to the delayed finalization of the IMO framework is equally direct. Malta is not waiting for a diplomatic resolution to prepare its fleet for the measurement requirements that will ultimately apply to global shipping emissions.
Dr. Ivan Tabone explains: “The IMO’s Zero Emissions Framework may face diplomatic and political delays, but the work that needs to be done on the technical guidelines must not stop; Malta is already actively preparing its fleet for the operational reality of greenhouse gas fuel intensity measurements. Malta continues to strongly support a unified, global, level playing field that rewards actual carbon reduction, rather than forcing shipowners to grapple with fragmented regional compliance frameworks.”
Cyprus’ Minister of Shipping, Marina Hatzimanoli, attended Posidonia 2026 with a message addressing both the process of good governance and the substance of shipping policy. “Shipping faces multiple pressures simultaneously, from geopolitical instability and trade disruptions to the challenges of decarbonization, digitalization, and the evolving regulatory landscape. “Open and constructive dialogue between policymakers and industry stakeholders is therefore more important than ever,” she said.
Ms. Hatzimanoli also emphasized the importance of human capital for the maritime transformation, noting that the digitalization of shipping emphasizes continuous investment in workforce skills—an issue that echoes the emphasis placed by the IMO Secretary-General himself on the industry’s human capital.
These positions echo the views of several government officials from around the world. From the other side of the globe, yet with a strong commitment to the international discussion, Singapore’s Senior Minister for Law and Transport, Murali Pillai, presented the perspective of Asia’s leading shipping hub at Posidonia 2026: “Amid a more complex and rapidly changing environment, Singapore remains committed to being a reliable hub for global trade. We are charting our course and investing in the digital and carbon-neutral capabilities of our port to support a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable maritime future,” he said.
Stretching across the narrow strait between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean—a corridor through which approximately 60,000 ships pass each year—Gibraltar has long drawn its maritime identity from its geography. But geography alone does not create a competitive shipping hub, and Minister Gemma Arias-Vasquez made it clear that Gibraltar’s ambitions extend far beyond the enduring advantage of its location.
As she said,“Gibraltar’s vision is based on its role as a major Mediterranean port and fuel supply hub. We support seafarers’ rights through practical support for the well-being of crews visiting Gibraltar, enforcing the standards of the Maritime Labour Convention on Gibraltar-flagged ships, and fostering a port community that recognizes seafarers as a fundamental driver of global trade. Regarding decarbonization, Gibraltar supports a realistic transition through cleaner fuel supply, readiness for alternative fuels, and full alignment with IMO targets, ensuring that the shipping sector reduces emissions while remaining safe, competitive, and resilient.”
The third day of Posidonia 2026 concluded with the sense—shared by all delegations—that the shipping industry is at a turning point unlike any it has ever faced. The regulatory framework for decarbonization is being built in real time, with imperfections and under diplomatic pressure. Geopolitical turmoil is testing the rules of free navigation and the safety of the seafarers who make global trade possible. And the organizations and authorities that will shape the future of shipping are, at this very moment, making the investments and choices that will determine that future.
These two issues—human resources and the environment—are at the top of the priorities for the organizers of Posidonia. Having received ISO certification as a sustainable event for the third consecutive year, Posidonia remains the first exhibition in Greece to achieve this distinction, reflecting the organizers’ commitment to minimizing environmental impact while maximizing benefits for the local economy. And Poseidonia’s official charity partner, The Seafarers’ Charity, exists precisely for the purpose that the Secretary-General of the IMO and the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners highlighted in their remarks: to build a world where seafarers and their families are treated with respect, security, and dignity.
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.