CMA Shipping Conference - Day 3| Tankers Agenda
The VLCC market is positioned for continued strength in 2026, with Clarksons Securities projecting average rates around $63,000 per day, and potential spikes to $200,000 per day if floating storage demand increases, whilst 33 new VLCC deliveries scheduled for 2026.
Trade pattern shifts resulting from sanctions enforcement are creating persistent routing inefficiencies that boost ton-mile demand, while seasonal factors like winter heating patterns add cyclical support to rate variations. These demand-side factors, combined with continued geopolitical tensions affecting global energy flows, are expected to provide a supportive backdrop for tanker markets despite the anticipated supply growth challenges in 2026.
Tanker demand fundamentals remain supported by moderate OPEC+ production cuts, ongoing geopolitical disruptions, and trade pattern shifts from sanctions enforcement that create routing inefficiencies and boost ton-mile demand. Red Sea diversions continue adding distance to voyages despite route inefficiencies, while US crude export growth supports transatlantic employment and Asian import patterns drive Pacific basin utilization, with winter heating demand providing seasonal rate support. However, significant risks loom from accelerating newbuild deliveries particularly in product tankers, shadow fleet uncertainties complicating supply calculations, and geopolitical variables including evolving sanctions enforcement and potential conflict resolutions that could normalize trade patterns, while long-term energy transition policies add uncertainty to future oil demand trajectories and fleet renewal decisions as aging vessels face retirement.
These key challenges and opportunities will be discussed in the context of the current infrastructure of fuel supply and how it can be leveraged for commercial success.
- Bart B. Kelleher - President & Director, Ardmore Shipping Corp.
- Roine Ahlquist - Chief Commercial Officer, Wilhelmsen Ship Management
- Peter Wallace - Principal Engineer—Risk and Regulatory Advisory, LR
- Jason Klopfer - Managing Director, Navig8 Group
The session will examine the outlook for the LPG and LNG transportation markets in 2026, focusing on the anticipated growth in US export capacity and fleet expansion to meet rising global demand. Key challenges, including compliance with IMO decarbonization targets, geopolitical risks, and infrastructure bottlenecks, will be analyzed.
- John Lindquist - Director of Marine Development, Stabilis Solutions / President, Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA)
- Capt. Sundeep Dhaliwal - General Manager, Wilhelmsen Ship Management Ltd., USA
- Longji Yiljep - Manager, Market Data and Analytics, Dorian LPG (USA) LLC
- Emma Howell - Group Content Director, Seatrade Maritime
In 2025, more than 6,000 seafarers were abandoned on 410 vessels, making it the worst year on record for crew abandonment. This panel brings together leaders from seafarers’ welfare organizations around the world to examine the issue from both regulatory and practical perspectives. Panelists will explore the root causes of abandonment, the human impact on affected seafarers, and the gaps in current enforcement and support systems. The discussion will also consider what concrete actions—regulatory, operational, and collaborative—can be taken to address this growing global humanitarian crisis.
- Jason Zuidema - Executive Director/ General Secretary, North American Maritime Ministry Association / International Christian Maritime Association
- Philip Schifflin, Jr., Esq. - Director of The Center for Mariner Advocacy, The Seamen’s Church Institute
- Ben Bailey - Director of Programme, Mission to Seafarers
- Jamie McNamara - Claims Executive, The American Club
Access to fresh food, balanced diets, and exercise is limited on commercial vessels. Poor nutrition and sedentary work contribute to obesity, hypertension, and poorly managed chronic diseases, which often become medical emergencies at sea. Practical tips for preventing negative health outcomes that disrupt operations.
- James Spear - Director, LNG Center of Excellence, State University of New York Maritime College
The maritime industry is navigating a complex transition towards cleaner and more sustainable fuels. This panel brings together experts from LNG, biofuels, methanol and ethanol, alongside shipowners and policymakers, to explore the opportunities, challenges and practical realities of adopting alternative fuels in shipping. Moderated by IBIA, the discussion will focus on real-world applications, regulatory developments and the evolving fuel mix shaping the decarbonisation of global shipping.
The tanker segment is experiencing transformative technological advancement in areas such as: digital fleet management utilizing IoT sensors and AI-driven predictive analytics; fuel integration through dual-fuel engines capable; autonomous navigation systems and remote operations enhancing safety while enabling shore-based oversight of multiple vessels; blockchain-based documentation and smart contracts; and advanced hull technologies including nanotechnology-based antifouling coatings and smart monitoring systems. These innovations collectively enhance operational efficiency, environmental performance, and safety standards while positioning tanker operators for future regulatory compliance and market competitiveness in an increasingly digitized and environmentally conscious maritime industry.
In this session we explore innovation and technology for Tankers and the value they bring to operators who stay ahead of the tech curb.
- Chris Aversano - Partnership Lead, Wood Mackenzie
- Marie-Anne Fiorelli - Operations General Manager, d’Amico Tankers
- Asit Dalai - Fleet Performance & Decarbonization Manager, Dorian LPG (DK) ApS
- Kenji Togasaki - SVP, IINO LINES (U.S.A.) INC.
- Jin Wang - Director, Technology, ABS
Over the past several years Western nations have placed sanctions on Iran, as well as on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which impact the two countries production and sale of crude oil. Sanctioned oil frequently moves via ship-to-ship transfers, and fraudulent documentation, often finding its way to markets transported through a “shadow fleet” of tankers. Recently, the United States and other countries have begun seizing some of these vessels while they are at sea. In addition to their cargo of crude oil, each ship carries a crew of international seafarers whose lives are impacted through these actions. What is the background and legal basis for these sanctions on Iranian and Russian oil and the tankers involved? What are the geo-political and operational considerations as well as mechanics involved in ship seizures? And what becomes of the seafarers aboard the seized ships and who bears responsibility for their welfare and well-being?
- Tim Wilkins - Managing Director, INTERTANKO
- Philip Schifflin, Jr., Esq. - Director of The Center for Mariner Advocacy, The Seamen’s Church Institute
- RADM (Ret.) John Nadeau - President and CEO, Nadeau Maritime
- Bruce Paulsen, Esq. - Partner, Seward & Kissel
- Boriana Farrar - Vice-President - Chief Legal Officer, Patriot Maritime
In this session, leading tanker brokers and charterers navigate the complexities of today's volatile market landscape. This interactive forum will examine critical operational challenges including Red Sea route diversions impacting voyage economics, fleet oversupply pressures from newbuild deliveries, and evolving sanctions compliance requirements affecting counterparty risk. Participants will discuss environmental regulation impacts on vessel selection criteria, digital transformation in chartering platforms, and strategies for optimizing cargo positioning amid geopolitical uncertainties. Through candid panel discussions and audience Q&A, industry professionals will share insights on rate forecasting, risk management, and emerging market opportunities.
- Erik Broekhuizen - Manager Marine Research and Consulting, Poten & Partners, Inc.
- Peter Hadjipateras - Chief Information, Security and Sustainability Officer, Dorian LPG (USA) LLC
This critical session examines operational safety standards across tanker and offshore operations, with particular focus on OCIMF (Oil Companies International Marine Forum) guidelines and best practices. Industry experts will discuss the latest SIRE 2.0 inspection protocols, dynamic positioning system safety requirements for shuttle tankers, and enhanced vetting procedures for offshore support vessels. Key topics include human element considerations, cybersecurity threats to vessel operations, emergency response coordination between tankers and offshore installations, and the evolving regulatory landscape following recent maritime incidents. Essential for fleet operators, charterers, and safety professionals committed to maintaining the highest operational standards while managing complex offshore-tanker interface operations in challenging marine environments.
- Pat Keffler - Chemical Manager and Regional Manager Americas, INTERTANKO
- Davide di Biasi - Marine Business Development Manager - North America, RINA
- RADM (Ret.) John Nadeau - President and CEO, Nadeau Maritime
- Keegan Plaskon - Director Of Business Development, ABS
- Capt. Andre LeGoubin MNM MA FN - Immediate Past President, The Nautical Institute
- Matt McCleery - President, Marine Money
- Dag von Appen - Board Member at Ultranav and 2026 Commodore, CMA Shipping
- Lois K. Zabrocky - President & CEO, International Seaways, Inc. | CMA Commodore 2020 & 2021
- Peter Evensen - Past President and CEO (ret), Teekay Shipping Corporation | CMA Commodore 2013
- Morten Arntzen - Senior Shipping Industry Advisor, Macquarie Bank | CMA Commodore 2007