The 10th edition of The Maritime Standard (TMS) Tanker Conference will take place on Thursday, 30th October 2025, at the prestigious Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, bringing together the region’s leading tanker shipping stakeholders, international experts, policymakers, and technology innovators. Themed “Tanker shipping negotiates challenging market headwinds,” the conference comes at a pivotal moment for the global tanker industry as operators grapple with volatile markets, environmental compliance pressures, and evolving geopolitical dynamics.

Over the past decade, the TMS Tanker Conference has emerged as the Gulf region’s most influential platform for the tanker sector, setting the stage for critical discussions on industry developments and shaping policy and business decisions. The 2025 edition arrives at a time of profound transition in global tanker shipping, with owners, operators, and service providers facing unprecedented challenges but also significant opportunities for growth and transformation.

Despite broader global economic uncertainty, analysts remain cautiously optimistic about the outlook for tanker shipping. Global demand for oil and refined products continues to show resilience, supporting strong tonne-mile growth across major trade routes. However, a combination of evolving geopolitical developments, regional disruptions, shifting trade policies, and regulatory changes is reshaping market dynamics and influencing global shipping patterns.

The tanker industry is undergoing a period of major fleet renewal and restructuring. Over the past two years, the global newbuilding orderbook has seen a notable rise, increasing from less than 5% to almost 15% of the existing fleet. This growth signals renewed optimism in market fundamentals but also highlights concerns surrounding an aging tanker fleet, with many vessels approaching the end of their operational lifespan and due for decommissioning. As shipowners consider future investment pathways, finding the right balance between expanding capacity and maintaining efficiency will be a key focus of discussions at the conference.

Environmental regulations continue to reshape the operational realities of tanker shipping. International frameworks, including IMO 2030 and IMO’s 2050 decarbonisation strategy, have raised the stakes for shipowners seeking to balance profitability with sustainability. The conference will place strong emphasis on green shipping solutions, alternative fuels, emissions reduction technologies, and regulatory compliance strategies, providing delegates with practical insights into achieving environmental objectives while remaining competitive.

Key sessions will explore emerging trends such as biofuels, dual-fuel propulsion systems, carbon capture technologies, and expanding green recycling capacity for tankers reaching the end of their service life. Experts from classification societies, shipyards, and technology providers will share the latest innovations designed to help the industry adapt to a low-carbon future without compromising operational performance.

Session 1 will address the theme “Sustainable strategies: how best to overcome tanker shipping’s current uncertainties.” The session will open with a keynote address by Dr. Ibrahim Al Nadhairi, CEO of ASYAD Shipping, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion on how operators can build commercial and operational resilience in the face of global volatility. Joining the panel will be Navin Kumar, Director, Drewry Maritime Research; Ali Abouda, Group CFO, Gulf Navigation Holding; Captain Ammar Al Shaiba, CEO, Maritime and Shipping Cluster, AD Ports Group; Abdul Bari Alzubaidi, Senior Vice President, Ship Management, ADNOC L&S; Dipak Karki, Managing Director, DK2; Bard Poulsson, Senior Vice President and International Marine Lead, Lockton; Captain Ankur Arora, Global Market Lead, Tankers, Bureau Veritas – Marine and Offshore; and Nafeesa Moloobhoy, Managing Director, A.S. Moloobhoy Limited. The session will be expertly moderated by Clive Woodbridge, Editor of The Maritime Standard, who will guide an engaging exchange of insights and perspectives from across the sector.

In the afternoon, Session 2 will turn the spotlight on “Boosting operational efficiency while maintaining a focus on green shipping.” This panel will bring together senior leaders representing diverse segments of the industry, including Ramee Rashid, Director, Seamaster Maritime Group; Captain Gagan Dhillon, CEO (Dubai), West of England P&I Club; Alessandra Burke, CEO, K2 Bunker Fuel Supply; Katherine Yakunchenkova, General Manager, Al Safina Security; Rajnish Kandelwal, CEO, JM Baxi Marine Services; Captain Onur Yildrim, Global Marine Manager, Advanced Polymer Coatings; Captain Vikas Pandey, Founder and CEO, Shipfinex; Han Ning, General Manager, shipbid.net Singapore; Richard De Vries, Vice President, Business Development, Lloyd’s Register; and Roger Harfouch, Sales Director, Marlink Communications. The discussion will be chaired by Ali Shehab, Global Director of Special Projects and Services, DNV, who will bring his trademark energy and deep industry insight to ensure a lively and thought-provoking session. 

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital solutions are driving a transformation in how tanker fleets are managed and optimised. The conference will provide a platform for unveiling the latest innovations, from predictive maintenance and real-time data analytics to automation technologies that enhance operational safety and profitability. Speakers will also address cybersecurity concerns and explore the role of digitalisation in improving decision-making and responding to emerging market trends. 

Beyond commercial and environmental priorities, the conference will also focus on the growing importance of safety and security within the tanker sector. Rising incidents of piracy, increasing cyber threats, and ongoing geopolitical tensions along key maritime routes have heightened operational risks for shipowners and operators. The sessions will offer practical insights into mitigating these challenges, promoting crew wellbeing, and reinforcing risk management and safety protocols across fleets. 

The TMS Tanker Conference 2025 is expected to attract all of the region’s leading tanker owners and operators, as well as global stakeholders, providing an unparalleled networking platform. Delegates will have the opportunity to exchange perspectives with senior decision-makers, policy influencers, financiers, insurers, and technology providers who are shaping the tanker shipping ecosystem. The conference’s interactive format, combining keynote addresses, panel discussions, and audience engagement, will encourage open dialogue and foster collaborative solutions to shared challenges. 

The UAE, and Dubai in particular, has positioned itself as a global hub for maritime excellence and innovation. Hosting the TMS Tanker Conference 2025 at Atlantis, The Palm underscores the emirate’s strategic role in shaping the future of the tanker industry. The event reinforces the Gulf’s reputation as a key decision-making centre for global energy and maritime trade, reflecting its growing influence on tanker operations and sustainability initiatives worldwide.

2^nd September 2025, Dubai, UAE: The tenth annual The Maritime Standard (TMS) Tanker Conference will take place on Thursday, October 30th, once again staged at the iconic Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, which has proven over the years to be a popular and successful venue for this industry-leading event.

Targeted at key decision makers and opinion formers within the tanker shipping sector, the conference comes at a challenging time for the industry, amid economic volatility and complex geopolitical issues. The sector is also facing increasing pressure to comply with stringent environmental regulations, creating both technical and commercial hurdles. While long-term prospects for tanker shipping remain positive, short-term challenges are significant. The overarching theme of this year’s conference is: Tanker shipping negotiates challenging market headwinds.

TMS has confirmed a stellar line-up of speakers for Session 1, which will focus on sustainable strategies and how the industry can navigate current uncertainties. Keynote speaker Dr. Ibrahim Al Nadhairi, CEO of ASYAD Shipping, will be followed by Navin Kumar, Director of Drewry Maritime Research; Ali Abouda, Group CFO of Gulf Navigation Holding; Captain Ammar Al Shaiba, CEO Maritime and Shipping Cluster, AD Ports Group; and Dipak Karki, Managing Director of DK2. The session will be moderated by Clive Woodbridge, Editor, The Maritime Standard.

Session 2, scheduled for the afternoon, will focus on boosting operational efficiency while maintaining a strong emphasis on green shipping. Speakers include Ramee Rashid, Director, Seamaster Maritime Group; Captain Gagan Dhillon, CEO (Dubai), West of England P&I Club; Katherine Yakunchenkova, General Manager, Al Safina Security; Rajnish Kandelwal, CEO, JM Baxi Marine Services; Captain Onur Yildrim, Global Marine Manager, Advanced Polymer Coatings; Captain Vikas Pandey, Founder and CEO, Shipfinex; Han Ning, General Manager, shipbid.net Singapore; and Richard De Vries, Vice President, Business Development, Lloyd’s Register. The session will be chaired by Ali Shehab, Global Director of Special Projects and Services, DNV.

This year’s TMS Tanker Conference promises to provide invaluable insights into the evolving tanker shipping market, sustainable operations, and strategies to overcome both immediate and long-term industry challenges.

For details on the conference programme, confirmed speakers, and registration, visit tmstankerconference.com

The Maritime Standard is pleased to confirm that the tenth annual The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference will take place on Thursday 30^th October 2025. The conference will, like last year, be held at the iconic Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, one of the best quality venues in the Middle East.

Trevor Pereira, Managing Director, The Maritime Standard, says, “As always this will be a great chance for those active in tanker shipping to come together and discuss and debate the hot topics of the day, at a time when there are many layers of uncertainty within this business to work through. We are already assembling a top notch panel of speakers to ensure that this remains the Conference that sets the bar highest for quality of information and for ensuring attendees get maximum value from their participation.”

Aimed at key decision makers and opinion formers within the tanker shipping business and its support sectors, the event will assess the implications of economic and trade volatility and a host of geopolitical issues. Owners and operators also face growing pressure to comply with tough environmental regulations, presenting a series of technical and commercial challenges that need to be overcome.

While there is long term optimism about the future of the industry, there are certainly many short term challenges. For that reason, the overarching theme of this year’s conference will be: Tanker shipping negotiates challenging market headwinds.

The event will start with keynote speeches from leading industry figures. Then Session 1 in the morning will have the theme: Sustainable strategies - how best to overcome tanker shipping’s current uncertainties. The afternoon Session 2 will be devoted to presentations looking at: “Boosting operational efficiency while maintaining a focus on green shipping.” The event will finish with a networking reception at which participants can continue their discussions.

 The conference overall will focus on the main headline market trends in the crude, products, chemical and gas tanker markets, highlighting commercial, geopolitical and technical challenges, along with issues relating to sustainability, new technology, and the need to continually upgrade the wide range of services provided to support the tanker sector. Topics that will be discussed at the conference further include: safety and security; digitalisation; support services, including maritime law and insurance; vessel technology; ship management; and shiprepair and maintenance.

Clive Woodbridge, Conference Editor, says, “The Conference programme will be topical and relevant, and will address the wide range of challenges and opportunities confronting tanker shipping today. The format will as always be lively and engaging. There will be plenty of opportunities for interacting with speakers and panelists, as well as fellow attendees, to discuss and debate all the important matters facing this key sector of the global shipping industry, at a pivotal point in its development.”

For more information about the conference, the programme and how to register, please go to: www.tmstankerconference.com

17^th July 2025, Dubai, UAE: The 10th annual Maritime Standard Tanker Conference 2025 will be held on Thursday 30th October at the iconic Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai.

Aimed at key decision makers and opinion formers within the tanker shipping business, the event takes place at an uncertain time for the industry, given economic volatility and  a host of geopolitical issues. There is also growing pressure to comply with tough environmental regulations,  presenting a series of technical and commercial hurdles. While there is long term optimism about the future of the industry,  there are  certainly short term challenges,  and how best to navigate through these will be the core,  overarching theme of this year’s conference, Tanker shipping negotiates challenging market headwinds.

Session 2 in the afternoon will have the theme of “Boosting operational efficiency while maintaining a focus on green shipping.” This session will focus on the  key issues facing tanker shipowners and operators in terms of day-to-day operations, and the solutions available to them. This will look at how best to accommodate environmental regulatory changes, embrace technology advances in areas such as digitalisation and AI to best effect, and also to address growing seafarer  and vessel safety concerns.

This session will hear from a range of speakers from various  sectors,  including shiprepair, maritime insurance, law, bunker supply, ship management, security, information technology,  as well as  tanker owners and operators. Topics proposed for inclusion include Embracing new generation tanker designs; Retrofitting for a green, profitable future; Harnessing the power of AI   to strengthen commercial and  operational resilience; Safety at sea - tackling  the renewed threat of piracy, cyber security  and other  safety challenges facing the industry; Carbon capture  as a viable  future option for tanker shipping; and Developing solid  financial foundation to support future growth. Speakers will also examine the importance of creating alternative fuel supply networks and debate which fuel is the best option for dual fuel operations in different market segments.

For more information about the conference programme, confirmed speakers and how to register to attend, please visit the website https://tmstankerconference.com