1st CSN London Maritime Strategy & Leadership Forum
About the Event
Following the success of our events across Europe and Asia, Cyprus Shipping News is proud to present the inaugural CSN London Maritime Strategy & Leadership Forum. The event will take place on 13 October 2026 at the Marriott Hotel Regent’s Park, London.
London remains a pivotal hub for maritime strategy, and this forum is designed purely for senior executives, shipowners, financiers, and key decision makers. We are actively moving away from generic industry talk to focus strictly on hard commercial realities, strategy, and risk.
The programme is structured to tackle the core issues currently dominating executive strategy:
- Shipowning and Shipmanagement Strategy: Moving beyond daily operations to focus on commercial resilience. We will look at navigating geopolitical shifts, supply chain volatility, and the strategic consolidation reshaping the competitive landscape.
- Maritime Financing and Investment: The rules of capital are changing. This session will tackle capital allocation in a high interest environment, the realities of ESG linked financing, and where traditional and alternative lenders are placing their bets.
- Shipbuilding and Fleet Renewal: The ticking clock of the green transition. We will explore the commercial viability of alternative fuels, the integration of new technologies in newbuilds, and the heavy strategic decisions behind retrofitting legacy fleets.
- Marine Insurance and Risk Management: Risk profiles are unrecognisable from even a few months ago. In light of ongoing geopolitical conflicts and the unprecedented crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, this panel will tackle the immediate realities of operating in extreme risk zones. We will address the withdrawal of reinsurance capacity, the massive surge in war risk premiums, the shift to voyage by voyage underwriting, and how shipowners and insurers are navigating the de facto closure of critical chokepoints.
LIMITED SEATS
200
SPEAKERS
20
Starting the day
Registration and Welcome Coffee
TBA
Note from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
Welcome from the chairman of the conference
Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Welcome address: Championing Diversity, Inclusion, and the Role of Female Seafarers
Katerina Monogiou, Member of Parliament for Cyclades, New Democracy
Keynote Address
Vivi Kolliopoulou, President, WISTA Hellas
Session 1
The Logistics of Talent – Sourcing, Travel, and the AI Revolution
In an era of shrinking talent pools and volatile global markets, the “Logistics of Talent” has become a critical strategic pillar for shipowners. This session dives deep into the dual challenge of finding the right people and moving them across the globe efficiently. We will explore cutting-edge strategies for crew recruitment and retention, alongside a pragmatic look at the current crew travel landscape. Experts will discuss managing rising aviation costs, navigating visa friction, and mitigating travel risks. Furthermore, we examine how Artificial Intelligence is transforming these back-office burdens into competitive advantages through predictive scheduling and automated logistics, ensuring that digital efficiency serves the human operation.
During the panel discussion, we will dissect the logistical realities of crew changes, including managing rising flight costs, navigating visa complexities, and examining the indispensable role port agents play in ensuring a seamless final transfer to the vessel.
Navigating the Aviation Maze: Strategies for Cost-Effective Crew Deployment
Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Sourcing and Training of Crew: The Aviation Perspective
Ioannis Pantazopoulos – Air France KLM
Panel discussion
Moderator:
Toomas Koost, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Panelists:
– Ioannis Pantazopoulos – Air France KLM
– Konstantinos Oikonomou, CEO – Marine Tours
– Stephanie Elias Eid, Chairwoman – Blue Wave
– TBA
Session 2
The Human Core – From Mental Health to High Performance and The AI Impact on the Human Element
This session returns to the heart of the industry: the seafarer. We move beyond the general rhetoric of “wellness” to address the concrete implementation of actionable mental health support systems onboard. The discussion explores the direct link between a robust welfare culture—balancing social connectivity with restorative rest and the measurable outcomes of safety and performance.
As maritime operations enter the era of Crewing 5.0, Artificial Intelligence is moving from the back office to the forefront of human resource management. Our speakers will examine how AI is now being utilised for the real-time assessment of crew competency and mental readiness, providing data-driven insights to improve safety.
We will address the vital challenge of ensuring that machine intelligence acts as a bridge for support rather than a barrier to social connectivity, ensuring technology empowers the crew rather than isolating them. By focusing on the “High-Touch” aspect of our theme, we will explore how a supportive onboard environment, augmented by intelligent tools, is not just a moral obligation, but a strategic imperative for a resilient and innovative maritime future.
Beyond Wellness: Engineering Actionable Mental Health Systems Onboard
TBA
Exploring the psychological impact of AI on seafarers, and ensuring machine intelligence supports rather than isolates the crew.
TBA
Coffee Break
Sponsored by TBA
Session 3
The Regulatory and Legal Landscape – Vetting, Welfare, and Liability
As regulatory pressure evolves into a commercial necessity, staying “charter-ready” requires a sophisticated understanding of new vetting frameworks. This session provides a deep dive into the practical implications of RightShip’s RISQ and the Crew Welfare Self-Assessment, offering clear guidance on how to navigate these requirements successfully. Beyond compliance, we shift our focus to the legal and financial realities of P&I Crew Claims. By analysing current trends in injury and illness claims, our speakers will outline proactive management techniques to mitigate liabilities and protect the bottom line, ensuring that legal safeguards and operational excellence go hand-in-hand.
During the panel discussion, we will explore the transition from general discussion to actionable support systems onboard, focusing on creating a culture that balances social connectivity with rest while directly linking welfare to safety and performance.
The Regulatory Shield – RightShip’s RISQ & Crew Welfare Self-Assessment
ΤΒΑ – CAPITAL Shipmanagement
The Cost of Health & P&I Crew Claims
ΤΒΑ
Panel discussion
Moderator:
Iro Gidakou, Fleet Operations Manager, Maran Gas
Panelists:
– Sanja Markoc Jazavac, Director – Orca Crew Services
– TBA – CAPITAL Shipmanagement
– TBA
– TBA – ECSA
Who should attend
The conference will bring together various key industry stake-holders including but not limited to: ship owners, ship managers, airlines, traveling agencies, HR Recruitment agencies, Crewing companies and associated solution providers such as maritime technology providers, consultants and cross-cultural experts, etc.
Closing remarks from the chairman
Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Charity Ceremony
– Stella Violari, Editor – CSN
– TBA
– TBA
Thank you from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
Lunch
Sponsored by TBA
Download the agenda
SPEAKERS
20
Managing Director - CSN
CEO & Co-founder - Crewpoint
Member of Parliament for Cyclades, New Democracy
President - WISTA Hellas
Regional Manager Greece Turkey Cyprus - Air France KLM
Chief Product Officer & Co-founder of Crewpoint
CEO - Marine Tours
Chairwoman - Blue Wave Shipping Agents
Media Gallery
Media Gallery
Note from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
Welcome from the chairman of the conference
Henrik Jensen, CEO – Danica Crewing Specialist
Welcome address, Stavros Avgoustides
Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens
“Championing Diversity and Inclusion”
Anna Pittalis, Commercial Director, Head of Shipping & Trading – Intergaz Ltd / President – WISTA Cyprus
“Crew Wellbeing and Emerging Global Connectivity Options”
Julien Ledoux, Account Manager for Content Services – KVH Media Group Communication Ltd
“Navigating the Future. Welfare, Skill development and digitalisation for seafarers”
Capt. George Papanelopoulos, Head of Vetting, Training & Development Dept. – Cyprus Sea Lines Co Ltd
Panel discussion: “What are the key challenges in implementing comprehensive crew welfare programs on board ships?”
Information about ASAP Athens
Konstantina Fanara, Account Manager – ASAP Athens
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director of CSN will conduct an On-Stage Spotlight Interview with Stylianos Psillakis, Technical Director at Columbia Group
“Safe, Skilled & Empowered: Redefining Crew Performance at Sea”
Chrysoula Vasiliki Patrikiou, Chief Business Officer – Pyli Net
“Steering Maritime Competence, Wellbeing, and Compliance: Assess, Train & Retain”
Aashish Puri, Chief Revenue Officer – MARITIME TRAINER
Panel discussion: “How can shipping companies balance the need for safety and compliance training with the importance of fostering a positive work culture and employee motivation?”
Closing remarks from the chairman
Henrik Jensen, CEO – Danica Crewing Specialist
Charity Ceremony
Stella Violari, Editor – CSN
Dr. Ioannis Patinionis – Founder of SHiPScraft method
LifeLine Hellas – Dr. Angeliki Margariti-Andrews
Thank you from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
3rd CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference Vidcast with Zoe Morphitou
Sales Director EMEA – KVH Industries
3rd CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference Vidcast with Katerina Palla
Head of Global Marine Training Center – RINA
3rd CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference Vidcast with Capt. George Papanelopoulos, Head of Vetting, Training & Development Dept. – Cyprus Sea Lines Co Ltd
3rd CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference Vidcast with Dr. Ioannis Patiniotis Founder of SHiPScraft method
3rd CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference Vidcast with Henrik Jensen
CEO and Founder – Danica Crewing Specialists
3rd CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference Vidcast with Capt. Vasiliki Ketse, Alt.DPA/CSO | HSEQ Superintendent – Dorian LPG Management
3rd CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference Vidcast with Julien Ledoux
Account Manager for Content Services – KVH Media Group Communication Ltd
3rd CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference Vidcast with Amalia Marcou
Crew Director – ENESEL Group
3rd CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference Vidcast with Anna Pittalis
Commercial Director, Head of Shipping & Trading – Intergaz Ltd / President – WISTA Cyprus
3rd CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference Vidcast with Theophanis Theophanous, Managing Director – BSM Hella
3rd CSN Mediterranean Crewing Conference Vidcast with Capt. George Vlachos – Training Consultant – Mediterranean Maritime Academy
Sponsors & Supporters
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
TRAVEL SPONSOR
COFFEE BREAK SPONSOR
NETWORK COCKTAIL SPONSOR
COMMUNICATION PARTNER
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER
Location
London Marriott Hotel Regents Park
Conference Room: Primrose Hill
128 King Henry’s Rd, London NW3 3BY, United Kingdom
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