Key Takeaways from the 10th Mare Forum Istanbul 2026

May 22 / Maritime Trainer

The global maritime industry is undergoing an unprecedented structural shift. From navigating strict decarbonisation mandates to mitigating geopolitical supply chain disruptions, the decisions made today will define the next decade of international trade.

To address these defining challenges, the 10th Mare Forum Istanbul 2026 gathered world-class shipowners, shipbuilders, and technological innovators at the Crowne Plaza Istanbul Asia.

Organised in strategic cooperation with GISBIR (the Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association), the summit served as a critical platform to explore Türkiye’s shipping expansion and its integration into the global maritime supply chain.


Türkiye’s Strategic Role in Global Shipping

The conference opened with a high-level panel featuring Ioannis Kostoulas (President of Mare Forum), Ceren Gülcek (Vice President of GISBIR), and Selçuk Esenyel (Founder & Managing Partner of Esenyel & Partners and Conference Chairman)

The opening session established how the Turkish maritime cluster operates as a crucial geopolitical and commercial bridge between Europe, Asia, and the USA. During his opening statement, Conference Chairman Selçuk Esenyel explained that the maritime sector currently sits at the absolute epicentre of commercial, geopolitical, and financial transformations. He emphasized that international platforms like the Mare Forum are vital for driving global collaborations. Esenyel also stated his strong belief that Türkiye's strategic maritime strength and regional influence will become even more decisive in the upcoming period.

Geopolitical Risks, Sanctions, and Shifting Trade Routes

The second session, moderated by Erhan Esinduy (Foreign Relations Commission Member at GISBIR), focused on the macroeconomic realities of modern shipping. With rising trade tensions between the US, China, and Europe, alongside operational risks in the Suez and Panama Canals, the panel outlined how Turkish operators are adapting.

 Key Geopolitical Challenges and Strategies:

—

1

Sanctions Compliance: 

Advanced risk management and hedging strategies against compliance risks.
2 

Route Optimisation:

Navigating changing trade patterns and capitalising on the growing global demand for LNG.
3

Market Resilience: 

Maintaining profitability despite capacity oversupply and market volatility.

The Maritime Energy Transition: IMO Regulations & Alternative Fuels

Chaired by Mustafa İnsel (Head of Technical Affairs and R&D Commission at GISBIR), the third session tackled the maritime energy transition and the realities of the IMO Net-Zero framework.

Transition Challenge & Impact on Turkish Maritime Sector

01

Fuel Scarcity

Limited global availability of green methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen at scale.

02

Regulatory Pressures

Tightening FuelEU Maritime and IMO mandates increasing operational costs.

03

Yard Opportunities

High demand for green retrofits, eco-friendly vessel replacement, and carbon-neutral designs.

Shipyard Competitiveness and Specialised Shipbuilding

Türkiye is globally recognised as a market leader in specialised vessel construction, including tugs, fishing vessels, offshore support vessels, and hybrid/electric ferries. Session 4, chaired by Rona Kaspi (Senior Partner at AKT Law Firm), provided a candid analysis of the commercial pressures facing Turkish shipyards.

The speakers systematically detailed the economic headwinds, such as managing wage inflation, rising labour costs, and local VAT rule updates. They further discussed the fierce competition coming from established European yards in Norway, the Netherlands, and Spain, as well as Asian shipbuilders. To counter this, the panel suggested accelerating R&D, automation, robotisation, and securing innovative project financing models to sustain Turkey's high-value niche market share.

Fleet Modernisation and Capital Access for Shipowners

Chaired by Chris Vartzis (Partner at Stephenson Harwood), the fifth session addressed fleet growth. The discussion focused on how Turkish shipowners can successfully expand their order books with modern, eco-compliant tonnage.

The experts present identified green finance mechanisms and alternative investment structures as the primary solutions to overcome traditional capital bottlenecks. They stated that resolving these financing issues is key to strengthening Türkiye's status as a premier regional logistics hub connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Digital Transformation: AI, Big Data, and Smart Ports

The final technical session, moderated by Associate Professor Ziya Saydam (Piri Reis University), explored how digitalisation is redefining operational excellence in shipping. 

 MARITIME DIGITAL ARCHITECTURE

AI & BIG DATA

Voyage optimisation & predictive maintenance

CYBER RESILIENCE

Securing connected onboard systems

SMART PORTS

Blockchain tracking & automated logistics
The panel highlighted that the return on investment (ROI) for digital shipping technologies is rapidly increasing. The speakers concluded that by upgrading Turkish ports into automated, cyber-resilient logistics hubs and investing in the digital upskilling of the maritime workforce, the region is unlocking massive entrepreneurship and startup potential.

Driving Collaboration at the GISBIR Garden

The 10th Mare Forum Istanbul concluded with a closing roundtable where all participants established a unified strategic vision for 2026 and beyond.

Following the formal debates, delegates transferred to the GISBIR Garden in Tuzla for the evening networking cocktail and gala dinner. This exclusive reception provided the ideal environment for global maritime executives, capital providers, and policymakers to reinforce professional relationships, exchange candid industry intelligence, and foster the partnerships that will drive the future of international shipping.