Ship Energy Summit 2026

Ship Energy Summit 2026

The Ship Energy Summit 2026 (SES26) will take place on 2 June 2026 at the Eugenides Foundation in Athens, Greece. Organised by ship.energy, the summit brings together global maritime stakeholders to examine progress on shipping’s energy transition, with a particular focus on what is realistically achievable in the current regulatory and commercial environment.

Overview

Running under the theme ‘Keeping it real – setting out pragmatic ambitions for maritime decarbonisation’, SES26 will take a reality check on the state of decarbonisation across shipping and ports. The event follows a period of significant uncertainty at the IMO level, including the outcome of the MEPC Extraordinary Session in October 2025, which stalled progress on the Net Zero Framework. Against this backdrop, the summit will ask whether momentum on the energy transition can be sustained and whether industry ambition remains aligned with the IMO’s existing GHG emissions timelines.

Key Topics

Discussions at SES26 will cover a broad range of issues central to maritime decarbonisation. These include the outlook for cleaner fuels and alternative energy sources, the commercial realities facing shipping companies and ports, and the role of digitalisation and operational efficiency in reducing emissions. The summit will also consider the implications of the European Commission’s Industrial Maritime Strategy, the impact of ratcheting EU regulations on shipping emissions, and whether penalty and incentive mechanisms are proving effective in driving the sector’s transition.

A key focus will be placed on conventionally-fuelled vessels already in service, in addition to newbuild considerations. The event will also examine whether start-up companies and their financiers have been deterred by recent IMO inaction, and how investment in new energy technologies is holding up across maritime sectors. As in previous editions, the programme will draw on case studies and real-world projects, with particular attention to initiatives in Southern Europe.

Audience

The summit is aimed at shipping companies, port operators, technology providers, energy suppliers, policymakers, financiers and other stakeholders involved in the maritime energy transition. The event provides a forum for cross-sector dialogue on the practical challenges and opportunities associated with decarbonising global shipping.

Further details on the programme, registration and sponsorship opportunities are available on the Ship Energy Summit 2026 event website.