Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress Day 2 - AT (Arabian Time, GMT+03:00)
- Eithne Treanor - Founder & CEO E Treanor Media and MC, Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress
Saudi Arabia is rapidly transforming its maritime logistics sector as part of its Vision 2030 strategy to become a leading global logistics hub. Backed by the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, the Kingdom is expanding the capacity and capabilities of its ports, modernizing infrastructure, and integrating smart technologies. Flagship projects such as the upgrades at Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port, and the rise of King Abdullah Port reflect this shift, while new developments like Oxagon Port in NEOM signal the Kingdom’s ambition to lead in next-generation logistics. Through increased private-sector participation, strategic partnerships with global operators, and the rollout of digital platforms under the Smart Ports Initiative, Saudi Arabia is building a more efficient, connected, and sustainable maritime sector.
This session will explore how the Kingdom is leveraging its geographic advantage, regulatory reforms, and major investments to redefine its role in global trade and establish itself as a regional logistics powerhouse.
- Eithne Treanor - Founder & CEO E Treanor Media and MC, Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress
- Akshay Anand - General Manager & Member of The Board of Directors, ABSA Al Barrak Group
- Tarek Dajani - CEO, Jordan National Shipping Lines Co PLC
- Khurram Ali - Partner Middle East, Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP
- Mounir Sleiman - Managing Director, CMA-CGM KSA Regional Headquarters
In Saudi Arabia, the Smart Ports Initiative, led by Mawani, is deploying AI, IoT, and blockchain to streamline port operations, reduce turnaround times, and enhance data-driven decision-making. Platforms such as FASAH and new Port Community Systems are enabling seamless integration between customs, terminal operators, and shipping lines—transforming how goods move through the Kingdom’s gateways. Major ports like Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Port, and King Abdullah Port are increasingly adopting automated systems for terminal operations, vessel scheduling, and cargo tracking. Real-time visibility and smart infrastructure are now key differentiators, with private-sector operators like DP World and Hutchison Ports investing heavily in digital capabilities. Across the GCC, the UAE’s Maqta Gateway and CARGOES platforms are setting regional benchmarks for integrated port ecosystems.
As digital infrastructure expands, attention is turning to cybersecurity, data governance, and emerging technologies. AI and predictive analytics are being used to anticipate congestion and optimize logistics flows, while blockchain pilots are underway to secure trade documentation and customs processing. These innovations are crucial to building a resilient, transparent, and efficient maritime logistics sector. This session will explore how Saudi Arabia, and its regional peers are leveraging digital tools to modernize maritime logistics, the challenges they face in scaling these efforts, and what the future holds for smart trade in the GCC.
- Eithne Treanor - Founder & CEO E Treanor Media and MC, Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress
- Taher AlDabbagh - Acting Chief Integrated Planning Officer, Bahri
- Mohamed AbuHamra - COO Digital Technology, DP World
- Mohammad Ali Shahrouri - Country Director Saudi Arabia & Bahrain, BDP International Logistic Services Co.
- Makhlouf Benzahia - Managing Director, S.A. Talke
- Martyn Cowie - Managing Partner, Tyde Digital
- Emma Howell - Group Content Director, Seatrade Maritime
• Towards the Saudi Maritime Professional Legal Environment
An overview of the current maritime legal landscape in the Kingdom and its strategic importance.
• The Need for Specialized Maritime Lawyers and Legal Advisors
Exploring the demand for dedicated expertise to support the sector’s growth.
• The Role of a Saudi Maritime Law Association
How a national association can serve as a platform for the local maritime legal community.
• Training, Certification, and Continuous Education
Building the next generation of Saudi maritime legal professionals.
• Collaboration with Academic Institutions
Partnering with universities, law schools, and maritime academies to foster knowledge and capacity building.
As Saudi Arabia advances its maritime and logistics ambitions under Vision 2030, building a skilled, future-ready workforce has become essential. While institutions like the National Maritime Academy and the Arab Academy for Science and Technology have expanded training capacity, the sector still faces significant hurdles. A widening skills gap persists between industry demand and the availability of qualified Saudi professionals, particularly in technical and operational roles.
Limited access to specialized maritime programs, the need for stronger international accreditation, and low awareness of career pathways—especially among youth—pose additional barriers to workforce development. This session will explore how Saudi Arabia can strengthen its maritime education ecosystem, align training with global standards, and foster a new generation of local talent equipped to power the Kingdom’s growing role in global maritime trade and how can technology help.
- Emma Howell - Group Content Director, Seatrade Maritime
- Capt. Yasser Hashim - Director Fleet Personnel Department, Bahri
- Capt. Zarir S. Irani - Managing Director UAE, China, Singapore, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Constellation Marine Services
- Dr. Shadi Alghaffari - Vice-Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Research, Faculty of Maritime Studies, King Abdulaziz University
- Dr. Meena Mathews - Director – AOS Insurance & Claims Services LLC Board Member, WISTA UAE
As Saudi Arabia expands its maritime footprint under Vision 2030—driven by megaprojects, increased port activity, and strategic shipping routes through the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf—ensuring maritime security has become more critical than ever. This session will focus on the Kingdom’s growing exposure to GPS spoofing threats and broader maritime security risks that could disrupt trade, offshore infrastructure, and national security.
Bringing together experts from the Saudi government, maritime authorities, cybersecurity specialists, and global security partners, the session will explore recent incidents of navigation interference in regional waters and examine the vulnerabilities of modern vessel systems. It will also highlight the Kingdom’s efforts to bolster maritime situational awareness through investment in advanced surveillance, cyber defense, and satellite-based navigation integrity.
This session offers valuable insights into how Saudi Arabia can lead in shaping a secure maritime environment—by strengthening regulatory frameworks, advancing international cooperation, and leveraging innovative technologies to protect its critical maritime assets and global trade corridors.
- Nick Chubb - Founder, Thetius
- Capt. Abdulrahman AlSalem - Director Fleet Security, Bahri
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is rapidly emerging as a strategic hub for shipbuilding and repair, fuelled by growing maritime trade, offshore energy activities, and ambitious infrastructure development. This session will examine the current state and future potential of the shipbuilding and ship repair industry across the GCC, highlighting key drivers, challenges, and innovations shaping its growth.
Industry leaders, shipyard operators, and government stakeholders will explore regional capacity building, technology integration, workforce development, and cross-border collaboration. The session will also spotlight major projects and investments—such as those in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar—that are positioning the region as a centre of excellence in maritime engineering and maintenance services.
- Nikeel Idnani - Honorary Secretary,, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) UAE Branch
- Ajay Thanki - Regional Business Development Manager, GMA Middle East, GMA
- Alexandros Nomikos - Vice President, MRO, IMI
To finalise this tour de force of our sector-by-sector analysis of the Maritime Industry in Saudi and the GCC, we look at shipmanagement. Ship managers in 2025 are under intense pressure to adapt to a fast-evolving landscape marked by environmental mandates, technological transformation, workforce challenges, and rising expectations from charterers, regulators, and investors alike.
In this session we discuss:
Regulatory Compliance & Decarbonisation Pressure
Crew Shortages & Welfare
Digital Integration & Cybersecurity Risks
Rising Operating Costs & Efficiency Pressure
Talent & Skills Gap in Onshore Teams
- Eithne Treanor - Founder & CEO E Treanor Media and MC, Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress
- Abdullah AlYami - Vice President Ship Management, Bahri
- Xanthos Kyriacou - Regional Managing Director, Columbia Group
- Muhammad Jawad Ali - General Manager, Sealand Maritime Group
- Ben Bailey - Director of Programme, Mission to Seafarers
- Carl King - Founder, Organic Marketing Services
- Turki Al Shehri - Director, National Maritime Academy
This session brings a series of story-led fireside conversations; each one grounded in the personal experience of maritime professionals navigating change at sea and ashore. Through personal reflections and frontline perspectives, we will explore how technical roles are evolving, which capabilities are rising to the forefront, and why human judgment continues to anchor safe, resilient operations.
We will then shift into a live poll, inviting the audience to share their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead, touching on automation, skills development, and career progression.
The session will conclude with fresh insight and a stronger sense of where the industry is heading and how we can contribute to driving that change.
- Carl King - Founder, Organic Marketing Services
- Capt.Indraneel Chari - Training & Simulation, Maersk Training
- Ali Shehab - Global Director of Special Projects & Services, DNV
- Maritime Cadet - Maritime Studies, National Maritime Academy
Aviation, automotive, and finance are leading the way in AI, blockchain, automation, and digital twins, but why has adoption been slower in maritime operations? This session tackles the real barriers that prevent maritime businesses from fully leveraging cross-industry innovation, covering:
- Tech adoption vs. industry readiness – Why disruptive technologies succeed in some sectors?
- Talent gaps & cross-industry collaboration – Is maritime looking in the right places for digital expertise?
- Regulatory & scalability challenges – How other industries overcome hurdles that maritime logistics still faces.
Participants will gain first-hand insights into how other sectors overcame adoption barriers, with discussions focused on real-world applications, lessons learned, and actionable strategies for the maritime industry.
- David Galea - Managing Director, Two Falcons
- Kris Vedat - CEO, SmartSea
- Sudesh Chaturvedi - Managing Director, GAC Kuwait
- Carsten Sonne-Schmidt - Managing Partner, Digital Energy AI
In this session, the audience will yet again be transported into the world of parliamentary style debate. “This house believes that AI will lead to less, not more competency in shipping.”
The audience, naturally divided on opinion, will here from a series of speakers who will try to convince them that they should be for or against the motion. There will be three speakers on each side of the argument, each with a strict seven-minute window to convince the audience. At the end, the audience will vote to see which side of the argument has the majority.
- Nick Chubb - Founder, Thetius
- Vanessa Welch - Managing Director, V3
- Rania Tadros - Managing Partner of Stephenson Harwood Dubai/ President, WISTA UAE
- Ali Shehab - Global Director of Special Projects & Services, DNV