Seatrade Maritime Club roundtable to address critical industry challenges at CMA Shipping 2026
The Seatrade Maritime Club, a distinguished community for senior maritime executives, is set to host an exclusive roundtable discussion during CMA Shipping 2026. This event will bring together C-level leaders to tackle pressing challenges, stimulate innovation, and foster collaboration within the maritime industry.
Drawing on over 50 years of heritage from the Seatrade brand, the Seatrade Maritime Club has established itself as a trusted platform for thought leadership and strategic dialogue. Since its inception in 2023, the Club has organised closed-door roundtables across key maritime hubs, including the UK, USA, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. These sessions have addressed critical topics such as ESG initiatives, sustainability, EU ETS impacts, shipping lane disruptions, and human capital challenges, providing shipowners and policymakers with actionable insights.
The upcoming roundtable at CMA Shipping 2026, supported by Bureau Veritas as part of CMA Shipping, will continue this tradition, offering participants a unique opportunity for candid discussions under the Chatham House Rule. Moderated by industry experts who are also Club Ambassadors, the event will feature three focused sessions:
• Geopolitical Disruption: Trade Friction, Sanctions Enforcement, and Shadow Fleet Risk Moderated by Christopher Aversano, Partnership Lead Director at Wood Mackenzie and Seatrade Maritime Club Ambassador, this session will explore the impact of geopolitical volatility on trade flows, compliance burdens, and risk appetite. Participants will discuss tools for navigating sudden changes and aligning risk exposure with operational strategies.
• Navigation Under Attack: GPS Spoofing, Electronic Disruption, and Risk Ownership Capt. Alexandra Hagerty, Founder of Captains Without Borders and Marine Supervisor at Gulf Copper Ship Repair Inc, will lead this session. It will examine the growing threat of electronic interference in sea lanes, liability concerns, and the adoption of resilience measures from naval practices to commercial fleets.
• A Pause on Progress: The One-Year Delay to the IMO Net-Zero Framework Darren Shelton, Director at Moran Shipping and Seatrade Maritime Club Ambassador, will moderate a discussion on the implications of the IMO’s delayed Net-Zero Framework. Topics will include fleet renewal timing, carbon costs, and the impact of regional environmental regulations on charterparty negotiations.
The roundtable will take place in a private boardroom setting, ensuring all participants have a voice in the discussion. Strict confidentiality will be maintained, and only invited guests will attend. Gary Howard, Chief Correspondent for Seatrade Maritime News, will summarise the key takeaways in a report exclusively shared with attendees.
Emma Howell, Content Director, Seatrade Maritime, added: “We extend our gratitude to Bureau Veritas for its generous support which allows us to continue to have these important discussions at key maritime locations around the world.”
The Seatrade Maritime Club roundtable precedes this year’s highly anticipated CMA Shipping 2026 conference and exhibition taking place from 10–12 March 2026 at the Hilton Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut. Organised by the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) and Informa Markets, this flagship event is set to bring together the most influential voices in the maritime industry for three days of industry networking, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
CMA Shipping 2026 features a robust conference agenda designed to address the most pressing issues facing the maritime sector. Key topics include decarbonisation and alternative energy, digital transformation, supply chain resilience, regulatory updates, and investment trends. The event will also explore emerging technologies such as AI and nuclear energy in maritime, providing attendees with actionable insights to navigate the evolving landscape of global shipping.