Conference Programme

Navigating the Next Wave: Market Rebalancing, Energy Transition, and Operational Resilience in Tanker Shipping

Exploring how the industry is recalibrating strategies in a changing global environment

11th November 2026, Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai

The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference 2026 will bring together leading industry stakeholders to examine how tanker shipping is adapting to a rapidly evolving global landscape. As market dynamics continue to rebalance, geopolitics influences trade flows, energy transition accelerates, and operational demands grow more complex, the industry is increasingly recalibrating its strategies to remain competitive and resilient.

Changing global trade policies, regulatory frameworks, and broader geopolitical developments are continuing to reshape fleet deployment, routing decisions, and commercial priorities across the tanker sector. Against this backdrop, the conference will focus on practical, commercially viable approaches to navigating change, enhancing performance, and aligning with sustainability goals, while maintaining operational efficiency and profitability.

The sessions will reflect both current market realities and the emerging scenarios that are likely to define the next phase of tanker shipping.

Conference Programme

8:30

Registration

Sponsor

9:00

Welcome Refreshments

9:30

Welcome Address

Clive Woodbridge

Editor, The Maritime Standard

9:35

Keynote Address

10:00

Sponsor

Session 1: Market Rebalancing and Strategic Positioning in a Changing Landscape

This session will explore how tanker owners and operators are responding to evolving market conditions, shifting trade patterns, and energy transition pressures. It will examine how the industry is navigating a period of market rebalancing, including adjustments within arecovery-driven global trade environment, and the implications for fleet deployment, routing, and commercial strategy.

Industry leaders will share insights on maintaining commercial performance while recalibrating their approach to market positioning and long-term investment decisions.

Topics Covered:

Evolving global trade flows and their impact on tanker demand and routing strategies
The impact of trade policies, sanctions, and regulatory frameworks on tanker markets
Assessing the impact of regional geopolitical developments on the short- and long-term outlook for tanker shipping trades
Supply and demand outlook across crude, product, chemical, and gas tanker segments
Fleet optimisation strategies: balancing utilisation, efficiency, and long-term value
Investment trends: newbuildings, retrofits, and lifecycle management
Energy transition and its influence on tanker markets and cargo demand

Speakers

Caterine Vestereng

SVP and Global Segment Director

DNV

Andrew McKeran

Chief Growth Officer for LR and OneOcean

Lloyd’s Register

Ahmed Al Abri

Chief Executive Officer

ASRY

Rovine Chandrasekera

Partner

STEWARTS

Dereck Wate

CEO

Gulf Energy Maritime

11:15

Refreshment Break

11:30

Panel Discussion

Senior industry leaders, policymakers, financiers, maritime stakeholders, and sustainability experts will come together to examine the regulatory, market, and financial forces influencing the transition to net-zero maritime transport. The panel will explore evolving regulations, carbon markets, alternative fuel pathways, financing mechanisms, and investment readiness, while considering the commercial and operational challenges of decarbonisation. Delegates will gain practical perspectives on navigating uncertainty and accelerating the maritime industry's transition towards a lower-carbon future.

12:30

Q & A Session

An interactive Q&A will give delegates the opportunity to engage directly with speakers and panelists, raising questions on regulation, carbon pricing, alternative fuels, financing, investment decisions, and the practical implementation of maritime decarbonisation strategies. The session will encourage an open exchange of views and provide participants with valuable insights relevant to their own organisations and transition priorities.

1:30

Lunch

Sponsor

2:00

Session 2: Operational Resilience and Innovation in the Energy Transition Era

This session will focus on how tanker operators are strengthening operational resilience while embracing innovation and sustainability. As the industry recalibrates in response to new technological, regulatory, and commercial realities, discussions will address how to improve efficiency, ensure safety, and meet environmental expectations in an increasingly digital and performance-driven operating environment.

Topics Covered:

Leveraging digitalisation and AI to improve operational efficiency and decision-making
Enhancing energy efficiency through smart vessel operations and performance monitoring
Practical pathways to decarbonisation: fuels, retrofits, and operational measures
Strengthening cybersecurity and safeguarding digitally connected vessels
Building resilience in energy supply chains in response to unexpected external disruptions
Managing operational and commercial risks, including insurance and compliance considerations
The importance of safeguarding critical maritime infrastructure, including ports, terminals, and storage facilities
Collaboration across the value chain to support sustainable and resilient operations

Session Chair

Ali Shehab

Global Director of Special Projects and Services

DNV

Speakers

James Kennedy

Regional Sales Manager GCC

Advanced Polymer Coatings, Inc

Capt. Gagan Dhillon

CEO

West of England P&I Club

Capt. Anwar Buftain

Manager, Fleet Personnel Group

Kuwait Oil Tanker Company

Ravi Jawani

Partner

Fichte & Co.

Alessandra Burke

CEO & Shareholder

K2 Bunker Fuel Supply LLC

June Manoharan

Managing Director

Lenol DMCC

Capt. Vikas Pandey

Founder and CEO

ShipFinex

Katherine Yakunchenkova

General Manager

Al Safina Security Services

Capt. Amarjit Kauchhur

Regional Manager

International Registries (U.K.) Limited

Ali Al Shibani

Chairman

O Bunkering

Nivesh Chaudhary

Co-founder & Managing Director

ASCELA

Navin Kumar

Head of Bulk Shipping Research

Drewry

3:45

Panel Discussion

The second panel will examine the technologies, infrastructure, and innovative approaches needed to scale sustainable transport solutions across global networks. Bringing together experts from the maritime, transport, logistics, technology, energy, and infrastructure sectors, the discussion will address digitalisation, data-driven solutions, energy infrastructure, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. Panelists will explore how these developments can help move beyond individual pilot projects and support the creation of efficient, resilient, and scalable low-carbon transport ecosystems.

4:45

Q & A Session

Following the panel discussion, delegates will have the opportunity to put their questions directly to industry experts and explore the practical application of emerging technologies, digital solutions, and infrastructure developments. The exchange will focus on the challenges and opportunities involved in scaling sustainable solutions, while offering practical perspectives on building more efficient, resilient, and future-ready transport networks.

5:15

Summary and Closing Remarks

The conference will conclude with a review of the key insights, emerging trends, and actionable takeaways highlighted throughout the day's discussions. The closing remarks will emphasise the importance of collaboration, innovation, investment, and coordinated action in accelerating decarbonisation and strengthening the resilience of global transport systems. Delegates will leave with practical perspectives on navigating the evolving regulatory, financial, technological, and infrastructure landscape shaping the future of sustainable transport.

5:30

Networking Break