Hosted by the UK Chamber of Shipping in partnership with Riviera Maritime Media, Shipping UK 2026 will explore the UK’s leadership in international maritime policy and convene global shipping leaders, policymakers, and military strategists.

Rhett Hatcher, CEO of the UK Chamber of Shipping, said:

Shipping UK 2026 is where maritime strategy meets policy and action. In an era of geopolitical fracturing and accelerating climate imperatives, this conference brings together the voices that matter to chart a course that safeguards both planetary health and operational security. This is not just dialogue; it's about shaping outcomes.

Commenting on the partnership, Edwin Lampert, Riviera Maritime Media's Executive Editor and Head of Business Relations, said:

Riviera Maritime Media is proud to partner with the UK Chamber of Shipping on Shipping UK 2026. This event brings together the most influential voices in global maritime to address the defining challenges of our time: sustainability, security, and strategic competitiveness.

This premier international event will unite global shipping leaders, policymakers, and innovators for a day of insight, dialogue, and strategic debate on the future of maritime.
Featuring an innovative dual-stream architecture, keynote addresses, panels and breakouts will focus on Sustainability and Prosperity - covering decarbonisation, transition finance, supply chains, and workforce - alongside a stream focussed on Security and Innovation, addressing geopolitical risks, war readiness, future fuels, and digital transformation.

Why This Conference Matters Now

A Strategic Platform for a Fracturing Era

What distinguishes Shipping UK 2026 from other maritime events is its integration of commercial shipping strategy with exploration of the UK regulatory and policy landscape and defence and security planning. 

Policy Influence, Not Just Policy Discussion: Hosted in Westminster at the QEII Centre, Shipping UK 2026 connects industry leaders directly with policymakers and regulatory authorities. This is about shaping policy, not just reacting to it.

Military-Commercial Integration: Senior defence leadership will address how commercial operators can align with UK security strategy in an unstable security environment, representing unprecedented content for a commercial shipping conference.

De-Risking Transition Finance: Gain specific strategies to de-risk investments in decarbonisation technology and future fuels, with insights from leading financial institutions and operators at the frontier.

Geopolitical Navigation: Practical protocols for operating in a fracturing geopolitical landscape, including sanctions navigation, regional tensions and cyber-physical threat mitigation.

2030 Horizon Scanning: This is not a retrospective event. Every session is calibrated to the 2030 maritime landscape: regulatory shifts, cargo patterns, workforce demands, technology readiness and security postures.

Secure your place - Tickets are available now via the official event page

Spaces are limited, so book now and take advantage of the early bird discount.  

The conference programme will include:

Opening Keynote: High-level address on the regulatory frameworks shaping the 2030 maritime landscape.

Strategic Security Keynote: Senior defence leadership addressing the 2030 security landscape, including how commercial operators can align operational planning with evolving security postures and the protection of critical Atlantic trade routes.

Opening Panel: The triple imperative: How sustainability, security and regulation define the 2030 maritime landscape, exploring how the IMO's framework is designed to mandate sustainability targets, de-risk transition finance and foster the technological and workforce innovation required to meet the environmental imperatives and operational security.

Strategic Breakout Sessions

The conference is structured around six high-impact breakout sessions that move beyond discussion to deliver actionable intelligence:

Morning Sessions (Sustainability & Prosperity):

1. Global Supply Chain Trends - Pinpointing efficiency gains and forecasting cargo shifts through to 2030.
2. Recruiting and Retaining Talent Amid Turbulence - Securing maritime talent in a challenging geopolitical and security climate.
3. Passenger Shipping Into the Next Decade - How companies will adapt customer expectations regarding onboard facilities and sustainability criteria.
4. Green Light or Green Lite? De-Risking Essential Energy Investments - Public and private investment strategies to reduce risks and unlock the capital energy transition projects need.

Afternoon Sessions (Security & Innovation):

5. Risk Mitigation Masterclass - Strategies to counter complex physical and cyber threats arising from today's fracturing geopolitical landscape, including actionable security protocols for navigating regional tensions, political fallout, and sanctions.
6. Future Fuel Pathways - The exact status of each future fuel in terms of development, regulation, and training. Learn which path is maturing fastest and how to protect your investment.
7. Digital ROI: Unlocking Competitive Efficiencies - How industry leaders are maintaining competitive edge through next-generation opportunities across voyage optimisation and preventative vessel maintenance.

Synthesis and Action

Following each stream of breakout sessions, plenary synthesis sessions will bring delegates together for moderated Q&A designed to distil key findings and strategic challenges. The conference concludes with The Path Forward closing remarks outlining immediate post-conference actions required to safeguard maritime sustainability and security.