Investopia Forum: Shipping experts discuss maritime landscape and future of global trade

A panel discussion titled “Charting the Course: Shipping in an Era of Transformation”, brought together industry experts at the Investopia Global Mediterranean Forum in Limassol to examine how shifting geopolitical dynamics, evolving regulations, and rapid technological advancements are reshaping the maritime landscape and what it means for the future of global trade.

Dr Waddah Ghanem Al Hashmi, Board Member at the Emirates Shipping Association, and Mark O’ Neil, president and CEO of Columbia Group, discussed the two sides’ collaboration during the forum.

Entering the collaboration, O’ Neil said, Columbia had its own platform – SmartSea – that offered a series of services that the UAE could benefit from.

SmartSea, powered by Sita, transforms outdated manual operations into automated, real-time digital systems, improving decision-making and operational efficiency.

“The UAE saw the opportunity in this, as did Abu Dhabi; that is, to create one IT backbone across the entire logistics landscape,” O’ Neil explained. And this is what the two sides are working on, with Abu Dhabi and the UAE as the Launchpad, as he said the region “is so fertile for such opportunities”.

And Columbia Group is now in the process of creating companies that are from the UAE, but based in Cyprus.

Al Hashmi agreed: “You don’t have to invest in the UAE; you can invest in Cyprus for the UAE.”

Al Hashmi also referred to the challenges facing shipping right now, what with new regulations, technological changes and changing employability. “People don’t want to go to sea anymore, technology is changing everything,” he pointed out.

In their closing remarks, both Al Hashmi and O’ Neil agreed on one thing: “Don’t sit around waiting for someone to come to you with an opportunity; go out there and meet people and find it yourself.”

The panel was moderated by Ali Shehab, Global Director of Special Projects and Services at DNV.

Event ID:

In partnership with:

Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Republic of Cyprus, Invest Cyprus, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Main sponsor: Eurobank

Gold Sponsors: Altia, Columbia Group, Finvasia

Silver Sponsors: Athlos Capital, Ecommbx, EY, Perfect Circle Trust, Argyrides & Associates LLC, STI Taxand Cyprus, K.Treppides & Co Ltd

Sponsor: IMR

Organisers: Investopia & IMH