Conference Programme

Navigating the Next Wave: Market Rebalancing, Energy Transition, and Operational Resilience in Tanker Shipping

Exploring how the industry is recalibrating strategies in a changing global environment

11th November 2026, Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai

The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference 2026 will bring together leading industry stakeholders to examine how tanker shipping is adapting to a rapidly evolving global landscape. As market dynamics continue to rebalance, geopolitics influences trade flows, energy transition accelerates, and operational demands grow more complex, the industry is increasingly recalibrating its strategies to remain competitive and resilient.

Changing global trade policies, regulatory frameworks, and broader geopolitical developments are continuing to reshape fleet deployment, routing decisions, and commercial priorities across the tanker sector. Against this backdrop, the conference will focus on practical, commercially viable approaches to navigating change, enhancing performance, and aligning with sustainability goals, while maintaining operational efficiency and profitability.

The sessions will reflect both current market realities and the emerging scenarios that are likely to define the next phase of tanker shipping.

Conference Programme

8:30

Registration

Sponsor

9:00

Welcome Refreshments

9:35

Keynote Address

10:00

Sponsor

Session 1: Market Rebalancing and Strategic Positioning in a Changing Landscape

This session will explore how tanker owners and operators are responding to evolving market conditions, shifting trade patterns, and energy transition pressures. It will examine how the industry is navigating a period of market rebalancing, including adjustments within a post-conflict and recovery-driven global trade environment, and the implications for fleet deployment, routing, and commercial strategy.

Industry leaders will share insights on maintaining commercial performance while recalibrating their approach to market positioning and long-term investment decisions.

Topics Covered:

Evolving global trade flows and their impact on tanker demand and routing strategies
Assessing tanker market dynamics in a post-conflict and recovery-driven global trade environment
The impact of trade policies, sanctions, and regulatory frameworks on tanker markets
Assessing the impact of regional geopolitical developments on the short- and long-term outlook for tanker shipping trades
Supply and demand outlook across crude, product, chemical, and gas tanker segments
Fleet optimisation strategies: balancing utilisation, efficiency, and long-term value
Investment trends: newbuildings, retrofits, and lifecycle management
Energy transition and its influence on tanker markets and cargo demand

11:15

Refreshment Break

11:30

Panel Discussion

12:30

Q & A Session

1:30

Lunch

Sponsor

2:00

Session 2: Operational Resilience and Innovation in the Energy Transition Era

This session will focus on how tanker operators are strengthening operational resilience while embracing innovation and sustainability. As the industry recalibrates in response to new technological, regulatory, and commercial realities, discussions will address how to improve efficiency, ensure safety, and meet environmental expectations in an increasingly digital and performance-driven operating environment.

Topics Covered:

Leveraging digitalisation and AI to improve operational efficiency and decision-making
Enhancing energy efficiency through smart vessel operations and performance monitoring
Practical pathways to decarbonisation: fuels, retrofits, and operational measures
Strengthening cybersecurity and safeguarding digitally connected vessels
Building resilience in energy supply chains in response to unexpected external disruptions
Managing operational and commercial risks, including insurance and compliance considerations
The importance of safeguarding critical maritime infrastructure, including ports, terminals, and storage facilities
Collaboration across the value chain to support sustainable and resilient operations

3:45

Panel Discussion

4:45

Q & A Session

5:15

Summary and Closing Remarks

5:30

Networking Break