"The inaugural 'Global Shipping Minds' Summit has been designed to offer something distinct. A focused, high-level discussion featuring an exceptional line-up of international shipping leaders and experts, including prominent shipowners and senior industry and academic personalities whose perspectives are particularly valuable to the sector," Alexandros Josephides, Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber notes.
In an interview with CBN in the run up to the 27 November Summit, participation in which is by direct personal invitation only, Josephides elaborates on the thinking behind the Chamber's decision to organise the event and why its timing is particularly significant.
He also underlined the Chamber's role in invitatives such as the Summit, saying, "Beyond representing the industry, we want to create opportunities for its leaders to engage directly in discussions on the critical issues shaping shipping’s future, contribute their expertise and ensure that the industry’s perspective is heard in the wider international debate."
The inaugural edition of the high-level international 'Global Shipping Minds' Summit, organised by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, is coming up this November. Recent geopolitical events have had a particular impact on the shipping sector. Can you go into more detail about why events such as this one are so important at this time?
The Cyprus Shipping Chamber is organising its inaugural 'Global Shipping Minds' Summit on 27 November 2026, with the ambition of establishing it as a leading international platform for strategic dialogue on the forces shaping the future of shipping.
The timing is particularly significant given the current geopolitical tensions and their direct impact on shipping, from the security of key maritime routes to operational problems and costs and global trade flows. These developments underline the importance of bringing industry leaders together to exchange perspectives and assess the implications for the sector.
The energy transition is equally timely, with the Summit taking place just days before the IMO’s 85th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 85), scheduled for 30 November to 4 December 2026. The industry needs regulatory clarity and a predictable, globally aligned framework to support investment and advance decarbonisation.
Through the Summit, we aim to facilitate informed discussion on these pressing issues, bringing together the perspectives of those who lead and shape the industry to explore the challenges ahead and their implications for global shipping.
Can you tell us more about what attendees can expect in terms of the crucial themes that will be explored and the high-calibre speakers that will be featured at the ‘Global Shipping Minds’ Summit?
The inaugural 'Global Shipping Minds' Summit has been designed to offer something distinct. A focused, high-level discussion featuring an exceptional line-up of international shipping leaders and experts, including prominent shipowners and senior industry and academic personalities whose perspectives are particularly valuable to the sector.
Rather than covering a wide range of topics, we have deliberately concentrated on two key themes, which are “Energy Security and the Transition to Alternative Shipping Fuels” and “Geopolitics and the Future of Global Shipping”. These are among the most pressing issues facing our industry today, with far-reaching implications for global trade, maritime operations, investment decisions and the long-term competitiveness of shipping.
What makes the Summit particularly valuable is the opportunity to explore these challenges in depth, from the perspective of those who lead, operate and shape the industry. Our aim is to move beyond general discussions and bring forward informed, practical insights into how shipping can navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical, regulatory and energy landscape.
Ultimately, 'Global Shipping Minds' is about bringing together the people who understand these challenges firsthand, encouraging meaningful dialogue and providing an industry-focused perspective on the decisions that will shape the future of global shipping.
Who is the Summit specifically aimed at, and who do you believe will benefit most from attending?
The Summit is designed as a specialised, high-level gathering, with participation by direct personal invitation only. It brings together senior representatives of the global shipping industry, including leading shipowners, shipmanagers and other key industry figures from both Cyprus and abroad.
We believe that the value of the Summit lies in bringing together decision-makers who can contribute their experience and perspectives to discussions on the key challenges shaping the future of shipping. At the same time, hosting such an international gathering reinforces Cyprus’s position as a leading maritime centre and reflects the Cyprus Shipping Chamber’s long-standing commitment to advancing the industry and strengthening its international standing.
The Cyprus Shipping Chamber has been representing the interests of the Cyprus shipping industry for more than three decades. How does the launch of 'Global Shipping Minds' reflect the Chamber’s evolving role in supporting and advancing Cyprus shipping internationally?
For more than 35 years, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber has served as the collective voice of the Cyprus shipping industry, representing its members in Cyprus and internationally and working closely with the relevant authorities and industry stakeholders to safeguard the sector’s interests and strengthen its competitiveness.
The launch of the 'Global Shipping Minds' Summit is a natural extension of this role. Beyond representing the industry, we want to create opportunities for its leaders to engage directly in discussions on the critical issues shaping shipping’s future, contribute their expertise and ensure that the industry’s perspective is heard in the wider international debate.
Through this initiative, the Chamber is taking a further step in advancing its mission, which is not only to represent Cyprus shipping, but also to actively contribute to the dialogue and thinking that will help shape the industry’s future, for the benefit of Cyprus, international shipping and global trade.
