Dr Ian Borg currently serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health. A lawyer by profession, he has served in Cabinet since 2013, holding a number of senior ministerial portfolios. In 2024, he also served as Chair-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), leading Malta’s international diplomatic efforts.

Mr. Dominguez assumes his role as tenth IMO Secretary-General, bringing with him more than three decades of experience serving the global maritime sector, across a spectrum of leadership roles of increasing scope and responsibility.
Initially representing his native Panama, first within the Panama Maritime Authority and in his lattermost appointment as Ambassador of Panama to IMO, his affinity for building consensus saw him elected by his peers as Chair of several flagship IMO intergovernmental meetings, including: the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), the Technical Committee of the 29th Assembly, and the Maritime Security, Piracy and Armed Robbery Group, as well as a number of Vice-Chair and Board member roles.
A naval architect at heart and by training, Mr. Dominguez gained his first degree at Veracruzana University, Mexico. Recognising from the outset of his career the importance of a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectorial approach to the maritime sector, Mr. Dominguez later went on to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Hull, as well as an executive qualification in International Law and European Politics at Birkbeck University, both in the United Kingdom.
This agile approach served him well in better understanding the priorities and navigating the needs of the different stakeholders across the maritime sector, and indeed the complexities of a specialized UN agency whose mission it is to support them. In 2017 Mr. Dominguez harnessed this extensive technical and diplomatic knowledge and experience as a delegate for the benefit of IMO. He joined the Organization, first as Chief of Staff, followed by Administrative Director - leading the Organization through the COVID-19 pandemic. Directly prior to his election in July 2023 as Secretary-General, he was the Director of the Marine Environment Division.
His initial term as IMO Secretary-General, approved at the 33rd Assembly in December 2023, will be for a period of four years from 2024 to 2027.

Maltese lawyer and politician currently serving as the Minister for Sustainable Mobility, having been in charge for the Transport sector since January 2024. Elected first to Parliament after contesting the 2022 general election and successfully reelected as an MP in the 2026 general election. Initially appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds before assuming the current ministerial role.

A graduate of the University of Malta (Doctor of Laws, 2007) and De Montfort University, Leicester (LL.M. in Sports Law, 2014), combining a strong legal background with extensive experience in public administration, maritime, aviation, infrastructure, land transport, sports governance and industry and European affairs.

Prior to parliamentary career, worked as a lawye and also served as Vice President and Head of the Legal and Football Governance Department of the Malta Football Association (MFA), establishing and leading the Association’s Legal Department. Subsequently worked for UEFA in its disciplinary and integrity departments.

Contributed to several national policy and governance initiatives and legislstion, particularly in the creation of Malta-in-Motion, enhanced public transport by sea, and the construction of major infrastructural projects, such as the Msida Creek Prior to that was responsible for the modernisation of Maltese football, being responsible for its transition from an amateur sport to an actual industry.

From 2007 to 2012, served as Mayor of Gzira.

Ms Marina Hadjimanolis is the Shipping Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, a position she has held since March 2023.

A qualified lawyer and member of the Cyprus Bar Association, she holds an LLB (Hons) from the University of Leicester and the title Barrister at Law from the Inns of Court School of Law in London, as a member of Lincolns Inn.

Prior to her appointment as Shipping Deputy Minister, she practiced law as a legal advisor. She was elected Municipal Councilor of Limassol in 2016 until 2023.

The Shipping Deputy Ministry is the ministry responsible for maritime affairs. As Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Ms Hadjimanolis, reports directly to the President of the Republic of Cyprus and is responsible for the coordination and implementation of the national shipping strategy for the further development of the Cyprus Register of Ships and the executive planning of the development of the Cyprus shipping cluster, for the continuous updating of shipping legislation as well as its implementation and for the promotion and support of investments in shipping, including the development and implementation of incentives.

Her portfolio encompasses the supervision of the shipping sector, the promotion of maritime training and education, the continuous upgrading of the quality of the services provided by the Ministry as well as the promotion of innovation in the shipping sector.

Moreover, she is responsible of the implementation of the national and European Union legislation regarding the enhancement of port security, and the coordination of the relevant actions for the Maritime Spatial Planning and the Integrated Maritime Policy, in accordance with the national and European Union legislation.

In November 2024, she became the first Cypriot recipient of the Maritime Person of the Year Award of the International Propeller Club of the United States, recognizing her contribution to the global maritime industry.

Since 2021, she has been the first female honorary member of Europa Uomo Cyprus, where she pioneers in the campaign to raise awareness and prevent prostate cancer.

The Hon Dr Jo Etienne Abela is the Minister for Tourism and has served as a Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament since April 2022. Minister Abela held the portfolios for Active Ageing (April 2022 to January 2024) and Health and Active Ageing (January 2024 to May 2026). Dr Abela oversaw the complete refurbishment of St Vincent de Paule Facility, the setting up of a fully equipped and functional multi-disciplinary day hospital in the same facility, the formation of the Older Persons Standrads Authority, the launch of a raft of active ageing and health startegies, the completion of the Censu Moran Regional Centre, a complete revamp of the Gozo General Hospital, three new high-dependency units and 2 new general wards in Mater Dei Hospital, the revolution of type 1 diabetes care, the completion of the healthcare masterplans for Gozo and St Luke’s/Karen Grech hospitals, the launch of the 1400 emergency helpline and the completion of the tenders for Drone delivery of medical supplys and for the extension of the Mater Dei Emergency Department and New Acute Psychiatric.
Born in Gozo in 1975, Minister Abela recieved his education in Gozo, Malta and the United Kingdom. He is a surgeon by profession and specializes in conditions of the upper gastro-intestinal tract and the pancreas gland. He was appointed consulted in Glasgow in 2010 and moved back to Malta in 2012. At Mater Dei and Gozo General Hospitals, he introduced and pioneered several novel endoscopic, laparoscopic and robotic procedures. He is an accomplished trainer and educator and examines for the University of Malta and the European Board of General and Visceral Surgery. He is a Gold Medal recipient of the Royal College of Surgeosn of Edinburgh.

Silvio Schembri is a Maltese politician and academic currently serving as Minister for the Economy, Technology and Strategic Projects.
Previously, Hon. Schembri served as Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Minister for the Economy, EU Funds and Lands and also as Minister for the Economy and Industry. Before becoming Minister, Hon. Schembri served as Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation.

Hon. Schembri attained a master's degree in Economy right after graduating with a Bachelors of Honours in Economics from the University of Malta. He started off his career by working in a private bank, and was later tasked with the role of Supervisor Economist within the Central Bank of Malta. He had also served as the chairperson of the Responsible Gaming Foundation Malta on a voluntary basis, set up with the aim of helping, educating and preventing problems in relation to gambling.

As a Member of Parliament, Hon. Schembri chaired the Parliamentary Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs and worked as an advisor for the then Economy Affairs Ministry. He was also founding member and General Manager of the Gal Xlokk Foundation.

During his tenure as Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation, Hon. Schembri was behind Malta's first Artificial Intelligence Strategy as well as the launch of the AI Certification Programme. He is also pushing to see that the Esports and Videogame Development sectors continue to grow. He also played a vital role in seeing that Malta was the first jurisdiction to establish a legal regulatory framework for blockchain services.

Hon. Ivan Castillo MP is Malta’s Opposition Shadow Minister for Sustainable Mobility and served for more than five years as Shadow Minister for the Maritime Sector. A Member of the Maltese Parliament since 2022, he has been actively engaged in shaping policy on shipping, ports, logistics, maritime competitiveness and sustainable transport. Through close collaboration with industry stakeholders, he has contributed to discussions on the EU ETS, maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, workforce development and regulatory reform. Hon. Castillo regularly represents the Opposition at national and international maritime conferences and is committed to promoting practical, evidence-based policies that strengthen Malta’s position as a leading maritime nation while supporting a competitive and sustainable maritime industry.

Charles “Bud” Darr is President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the global trade association that represents an expansive community of the world's most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and a widespread network of stakeholders, including ports and destinations, ship development, suppliers, and business services.
As President and CEO, Darr is responsible for leading the organization’s work as the leading authority and voice of the industry across the association’s five operating regions, including North America, Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Australasia, and Brazil.
Darr was announced in December 2024 as president and CEO of CLIA effective 3 February 2025—returning to CLIA, having previously held the post of Senior Vice President of Technical and Regulatory Affairs from 2010 to 2017. Prior to his return to CLIA, Darr served as Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, at MSC Group for more than seven years. During his accomplished career in maritime, he has also held positions within the U.S. Coast Guard, including Deputy Chief of Maritime & International Law, and he has served in the U.S. Navy, Merchant Marine, and Coast Guard.
A highly respected figure in the maritime world, Darr’s leadership of CLIA comes at an important time for the industry as the cruise sector builds on a strong and responsible growth trajectory in support of its 2050 sustainability targets. He has exceptional maritime experience and over the course of his career has built outstanding relationships across the global cruise industry and with related trade, equipment, ports, shipbuilders, and service providers.
Darr has extensive experience across the broader maritime community, including through his involvement with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, UK Chamber of Shipping, Liberian Shipowners Council, SEA-LNG, Society for Gas as Marine Fuel, World Shipping Council, IMO World Maritime University, Cruise Safety and Sustainability Forum, and the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI).
He began his education in Submarine Nuclear Engineering and later obtained his formal undergraduate education at the US Merchant Marine Academy. During his service with the US Coast Guard, he studied law at the George Washington University Law School.

Leonid McKay is a Maltese public administrator and social policy professional with more than a decade of experience in senior leadership roles across Malta’s public, regulatory and social
sectors.
In July 2026, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Transport Malta, Malta’s national authority responsible for the regulation and development of the country’s transport sector, spanning road, maritime and aviation.
Prior to his appointment at Transport Malta, McKay served as CEO of Jobsplus, Malta’s public employment services agency, Executive Chairperson of the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis, and CEO of the Housing Authority. Across these roles, he has led significant organisational, regulatory and policy initiatives in areas of national importance.
His career began in the voluntary and social sector, where he developed a strong focus on social policy and community development. He subsequently served as Executive Director of Caritas Malta, before moving into senior public administration and institutional leadership.
McKay has also served as CEO of the Malta Labour Party, bringing together his experience in public administration, organisational leadership, policy development and strategic management.
As CEO of Transport Malta, his focus is on strengthening regulatory capacity, improving the efficiency and safety of Malta’s transport systems, and positioning the sector to meet the challenges of sustainable mobility and future economic development.

Paris Andrianopoulos is an economist and maritime expert with over two decades of experience in ship management. After studying Economics at the University of Athens in Greece, he went on to earn an MBA from the University of Cumbria in the UK, strengthening his expertise in business and operational leadership.
Paris began his career in 2003 at a traditional Greek ship management company, where he quickly became a pivotal figure in the maritime industry. He is renowned for developing advanced crew management practices and preventive HSQE inspection protocols, with a particular focus on improving operational efficiency and optimizing OPEX.
In 2019, Paris took on the role of Director of the Greek office for ECM Maritime Services, a position he held until 2023, when ECM merged with Gallagher Marine Systems. Concurrently, he was appointed Managing Director at Thalpis, a role he continues to hold today. Under his leadership, Thalpis transformed into a multinational crewing company with a significant presence in key seafaring countries.
In his free time, Paris enjoys spending quality time with his wonderful wife and their three lovely daughters. He is also actively involved in volunteer and donation efforts within his local community, contributing to causes that are close to his heart.
Through his personal and professional endeavors, Paris continues to make a positive impact both in the maritime industry and in his community.

George Theocharidis is a Professor of Maritime Law & Policy at World Maritime University. Member of the Piraeus Law Bar and a qualified advocate before Areios Pagos (Supreme Court) with extensive shipping litigation practice. Member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Roster of Experts and Member of the Working Group of its Legal Committee pertaining to “Measures to Prevent Unlawful Practices Associated with Fraudulent Registration and Fraudulent Registries of Ships”. Special counsel to the Union of Greek Shipowners and Ordinary Member of the Law Commission that recently revised the Code of Private Maritime Law (KIND) of Greece. Co-Chair of the International Working Group on “Liability for the Wrongful Arrest of Ships” and Member of the Working Group on “Fraudulent Registration of Ships” of the Comité Maritime International (CMI). Supporting Member of the London Maritime Association of Arbitrators (LMAA) and Member of the Hellenic Maritime Law Association. Author of many books and articles in various fields of law, editorial board member of law journals and invited speaker in many international legal conferences. Holder of an LL.M. degree from the University of Cambridge (UK) and a Ph.D. from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece).

Alessandro Panaro is Head of Maritime & Energy at SRM (Intesa Sanpaolo Group), a research center specialized in the analysis of the Mediterranean economy, logistics, and maritime transport. An internationally recognized economist and analyst, he coordinates strategic research on shipping, ports, supply chains, energy, and the geopolitical dynamics of the Wider Mediterranean region.

He serves as a member of several scientific committees of leading national and international institutions, observatories, and organizations. He is also the author of numerous publications, reports, and contributions featured in academic and specialized journals focused on maritime economics, logistics, and infrastructure development.

Alessandro Panaro regularly participates as a speaker and keynote speaker at international conferences and forums, collaborating with universities, port authorities, institutions, and global stakeholders in the maritime and logistics sectors.

John C. Lyras is a principal of Paralos Maritime Corporation S.A. and has been involved in shipping since 1975. He comes from a Greek seafaring family with a tradition in shipping that goes back four generations.
He has served as President and Vice President of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) and has been a member of the Board since 1979. He is Chairman of the UGS Foreign Affairs Committee.
He has been President and Vice President of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). He has been a member of the Board of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) since 1985, Vice-Chairman from 1989 to 1991 and from 2014 to 2017, as well as Chairman of its Shipping Policy Committee from 2003 to 2014.
John C. Lyras is a founder member and ex Board member of Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) and is a member of the Greek Committee of the American Bureau of Shipping and of Det Norske Veritas GL Greek National Committee.
He is also a founder member and Executive Committee member of the Malta International Shipowners Association (MISA).

Dr. Josianne Cutajar is a lawyer and EU policy advisor, as well as a former Member of the European Parliament (2019–2024). As an MEP she sat on the Committees of Transport and Tourism (TRAN) and Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). As Vice-Chair for SMEs and Digitalisation in the Seas, Rivers, Islands & Coastal Areas (SEArica) Intergroup, as well as negotiator of several digital files, she bridged the digital and maritime agendas at EU level; advocating for the modernisation of maritime services and connectivity for island and coastal communities. She holds an LLM in European and Comparative Law, with her dissertation focusing on EU maritime cabotage legislation. Dr Cutajar currently serves as a Member of the Administrative Board of the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER).

A real expert in Corporate Finance, he has been active in the Shipping Industry for the last 40 years. Thanks to his long and recognized experience in the industry, he realized some of the most important operations on the Italian market as advisor, equity investor and in the structuring of complex financial operations of acquisition and development.
He is Managing Director in VSL Investment & Advisory S.p.A., an Investment and Advisory Holding whose main aim is to realize operations to help the development of companies in the Logistic and Maritime industry.
He holds relevant positions in some of the main associations of the sector (ECSA, Assiterminal, FEPORT). In CONFITARMA (Italian Shipowners’ Association) he is Vice President of the Fiscal & Financial Commission, member of the Ports & Infrastructure Commission and Coordinator of the Taxonomy Working Group.

Rave Al-Chamary is a Product Manager, Energy Saving Technologies at Wärtsilä, based in the Netherlands. With over eight years of experience at the company, he has held roles in both propulsion equipment sales and product management, providing him with a strong combination of commercial, technical, and strategic expertise.

In his current role, Rave is responsible for Wind Propulsion and a broad portfolio of Energy Saving Technologies, supporting shipowners and shipbuilders in improving vessel efficiency and reducing emissions. He has a strong focus on integrating these technologies into both retrofit and newbuild projects, helping the maritime industry advance its decarbonization objectives while delivering measurable fuel-efficiency improvements.

Including knowledge of the impact of maritime rules and regulations. More recently, his focus has expanded towards the development of fully integrated ship concepts, exploring how multiple technologies can be combined and optimized at vessel level to maximize operational performance, regulatory compliance, and sustainability outcomes.

Capt. Fritz Farrugia, Master Mariner by background, with a maritime career and education and training that started in Malta followed by further training and education in the United Kingdom where he obtained his Master Mariner Certificate of Competency. A career that extended to world-wide sailing, specialising on board Liquefied Natural Gas Carriers with International companies. He has been employed with the Ports & Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta since 2015, joining as Deputy Harbour Master and to date occupying the position of Chief Officer and Harbour Master withing the Ports & Yachting Directorate.

Thomas A. Kazakos is the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), having previously served as Director General of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), the representative National-Member Association of Cyprus at ICS, since 1995.

Throughout his last tenure, he actively participated together with successive CSC Board Members at the ICS Board, contributing in shaping the Association’s strategy on all regulatory, operational, and legal issues concerning the international shipping industry.

Thomas studied in the United Kingdom obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B) and a Master’s Degree in European and International Trade Law (LL.M). Thomas began his professional career at the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation prior to joining the Cyprus Shipping Chamber. Nationally, he also served as Board member at numerous professional business bodies in Cyprus, representing the Shipping Industry. Internationally, Thomas has represented Cyprus on the Board of ICS and the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ES/ECSA) in addition to having been an Administrative Board member of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

Founded Scandinavia's highest-frequency container line, later acquired by A.P. Moller–Maersk, and has spent over four decades building and leading global maritime businesses. Established numerous international joint ventures across shipping, energy, and logistics, founded and chaired a fully integrated tanker company with a fleet of 42 vessels, and oversaw the construction of world-class tankers and dredging vessels at leading shipyards worldwide. Also served as a founding director of OMI Corporation's management company, strategic adviser to the Port of Rotterdam, and board chairman of a major maritime joint venture until its successful private equity exit in 2019. In 2020, founded EEC, continuing to advise and invest in the global shipping and maritime sectors.

George Margaritopoulos is an average adjuster with Richards Hogg Lindley since 2015 and Director in the Greek office. He is a qualified Fellow of the British Association of Average Adjusters, a member of the International Association of Average Adjusters and a regular tutor at the Greek branch of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, specializing on Marine Insurance. Previous to that, he was occupied as a shipyards and chartering broker. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Piraeus and an Master’s degree from Cardiff University.

Prof. Dr. Shiv Kumar Tripathi is Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Berlin school of Business and Innovation, Germany. Formerly, he worked as a Vice Chancellor of Atmiya University, India. During last 28 years of his career journey, Shiv has served many institutions and universities in Asia, Africa and Europe. Shiv co-chairs IN Principles of Responsible Management (PRME) Poverty Working Group; and is member of Steering Committee in Anti-Corruption Working Group. Shiv has more than 100 publications including 13 books on management, higher education and sustainability related themes.

As Head of the Strategy and European Affairs Department at the Algeciras Bay Port Authority, Mr. Núñez leads engagement with European institutions and securing funding for strategic infrastructure projects. He currently drives key initiatives in maritime decarbonisation, green corridors, alternative fuels infrastructure, and rail capacity enhancement.
He holds a degree and an MSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Granada and has extensive experience in infrastructure planning and management. He began his career at Ferrovial and later worked at INECO, contributing to major international projects such as HS2 in the UK and the Haramain High-Speed Railway in Saudi Arabia.
Luis joined Algeciras Bay Port Authority in 2019 as Infrastructure Manager and was appointed Head of Strategy and European Projects in 2024, playing a key role in obtaining CEF funding and advancing international green corridor initiatives.

Mathieu is a qualified Engineer with over 18 years of experience exclusively in the Superyacht Marina Sector, preparing feasibility studies, marina detail designs, material procurement, tendering and commissioning works; as well as day to day project management.

Based in the C&N Marinas London office, his role also covers several aspects of the civil works associated to harbour facilities, ranging from land reclamation, dredging, quay edge treatment, breakwaters and infrastructures, evident on a number of projects successfully completed both for C&N and those of it’s third party clientele worldwide.

John N. Faraclas comes from Chios’traditional shipping and seafaring families which are involved in the shipping adventure for almost 700 years, in Russia, Greece, the United Kingdom, Bermuda and the USA. As per the family custom he sailed onboard dry cargo ocean going ships.
After graduating from the Anargyrios and Corgialenios College of Spetsae Island, a British standards public school, he studied Shipping and shipping related studies in UK and Greece. His first of ice encounter was at Christopher Margaronis’ Law Of ice in Piraeus.
He has managed dry cargo tonnage for both his family and clients in the UK and Greece. The vessels were from 15,000 to 45,000 dwt (deadweight) general cargo/container ships and bulkcarries.
A competitive Ships Sales and Purchase broker with Overseas Agency Ltd in the mid 70’s and then on his own. He sold dozens of second hand and a few newbuilding vessels. These vessels were worth US$ 250 million dollars. He has also been teaching Shipping, Shipmanagement and shipbroking in the Piraeus College of Shipping studies for four years.
He has given a great number of lectures after being invited by Universities and Professional Shipping Associations. Moreover he has participated in more than 500 maritime exhibitions and 1,000 conferences.

Ms Maja Markovčić Kostelac took up the position of Executive Director of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) on 1 January 2019. She is responsible for the running and development of the Agency under the oversight of its Administrative Board.
Starting out as a maritime lawyer, she has subsequently gained long-standing experience in the maritime field in both the public and private sector.
Prior to joining EMSA, Ms Markovčić Kostelac was State Secretary for Croatia’s Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure. Her duties entailed developing strategies, policies and legislation in the area of maritime transport, maritime safety, security and environmental protection. In this role, she also led the Croatian delegation in a range of international forums at the United Nations, such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
During her time at Croatia’s Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure she held a number of positions, including Director of the Maritime Policy Directorate. She also served as Director of the Croatian Shipowners’ Association (Mare Nostrum).
Since joining EMSA, Ms Markovčić Kostelac has established the Agency’s five-year strategy (2020-2024) and organises its implementation. She has led EMSA’s work on a range of strategic and operational issues, including the maritime dimension of the European Green Deal, the development of enhanced digital solutions for national level administrations and relevant authorities, and the provision of support at international level to the European Commission and Member States at the IMO.

Dr. Christos Sigalas is Professor of Strategic and Financial Management at Deree – The American College of Greece. He brings more than 20 years of undergraduate and graduate teaching experience across both public and private higher education institutions in Greece, specializing in strategic management, corporate finance, and accounting.
He has authored more than 50 scholarly and professional publications, including articles in academic and practitioner journals, book chapters, conference proceedings, and contributions to the economic press. His academic work has received significant international recognition.
In addition to his academic career, Dr. Sigalas has over 20 years of executive experience in finance and management across the maritime shipping, investment banking, telecommunications, and management consulting sectors. He possesses extensive experience in public equity offerings in U.S. capital markets, debt financing, debt restructuring, and shipping investments. For fourteen years, he served as a finance executive at Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., a shipping company listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. During his tenure, he also served on the boards of 44 ship-owning, ship-management, and ship-broking companies operating as subsidiaries of Seanergy.

Mr. Kontes is the Director of Majestic International Cruises, responsible of the operation entirely including Marine, Technical, Hotel ops, with up to three vessels’ in operation
Studied Naval Architect and Marine Engineering in Greece, U.K. and U.S.A. with Master’s Degree. Performed duties in various positions, as President of Union of Cruise Ship Owners & Associated Members (EEKFN), Phoenix S.A.: Managing Director, Festival Cruises: Managing Director, Vice President of operation and new buildings / developing programs, and Director of Operation in Majestic International Cruises.
He is a member of various committees technical as well as shipping in general.
Member of the Steering Committee for a post graduate course in the Technical University of Athens in “Ports Management”, including lectures for cruising subject and tourist ports.
Member of the National Cruise Board Committee controlling cruise industry operation
Member of International Propeller Club USA (Previously General Secretary).
He has received various awards in shipping during his career.

Pino Musolino is a senior maritime and port executive with over twenty years' international experience spanning ports and terminals, shipping operations, cruise activities, and logistics infrastructure across the Mediterranean.
He led two of Italy's principal port authorities: the North Adriatic Sea (Venice–Chioggia, 2017–2020) and the Central-Northern Tyrrhenian Sea (Rome and Lazio: Civitavecchia–Fiumicino–Gaeta, 2020–2025), managing annual budgets above €300 million and delivering major infrastructure, environmental, and financial turnaround programmes.
Under his leadership, Civitavecchia became one of the world's leading cruise homeports, surpassing 3.4 million passengers.
From 2023 to 2026 he served as President of MEDPorts Association, the principal body representing Mediterranean ports, and from 2025 to 2026 as CEO of Alilauro SpA in Naples.
A graduate in Law from the University of Bologna, with an LL.M. in International Maritime Law from Swansea, he is a university lecturer, an officer in the Italian Navy Selected Reserve, and the author of Our Sea: Ports, Innovations, Power and the New Mediterranean Order (2026).
He speaks five languages and is based in Rome.

Ivan Sammut has 25 years experience in the international maritime industry and graduated with a Master of Science degree in International Maritime Studies from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom. He was the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen (until November 2023), responsible for the Merchant Shipping Directorate within Transport Malta – the Malta Ship and Yacht Register for 14 years. He was until recently also Malta’s Permanent Representative of Malta to IMO, Malta’s Focal Point for Pollution Prevention at REMPEC, Malta’s representative on the Administrative Board of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF). Mr Sammut also acted as Malta’s head of delegation at a number of meetings of the International MaritimeOrganisation (IMO), REMPEC and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
For the last fourteen years, Mr Sammut was entrusted to regulate, control and administer all matters related to ship and yacht registration under the Malta flag and their technical performance with regards to safety and pollution prevention and to promote Maritime Malta with the international shipping community. He was also entrusted with regulating the employment and certification of seafarers and to promote and advance the skills of seafarers and of persons employed in the maritime industry, to foster Malta’s relations in international shipping fora and to administer the implementation of maritime and other related international conventions and regional and bilateral agreements.

Since December 2023, Mr Sammut was appointed as Head of REMPEC.

Leslie Vella was born in Malta in 1964. He was educated at De La Salle College in Cottonera and the New Lyceum in Msida and graduated from the University of Malta with BA (Hons) Business Management in 1988. He has been working at the Malta Tourism Authority for 43 years and is currently Deputy CEO and Chief Officer Strategic Development. He is also Managing Director of the Malta Tourism Observatory. He was Chairman of the European Travel Commission’s Market Intelligence Group for 17 years until 2014 and is Malta’s Focal Point to the World Tourism Organisation.

Bert is an industrial engineer with more than 30 years’ experience in the maritime industry. He joined maritime recycling consultancy Sea2Cradle in 2021 as commercial director. Sea2Cradle helps owners
to find the best solution for responsible recycling of their end-of-life maritime assets, and sees to it that this solution is executed in an effective, safe and environmentally sound manner.
Through his involvement in a large variety of projects Bert has gained in-depth knowledge of all aspects of planning, preparation and management of ship and offshore recycling, from yard selection
and contracting to legal compliance, waste handling and proper execution of cleaning, decontamination and dismantling.

Panamanian by birth, she studied International Relations and Business Administration in the United States before settling in Belgium. Her maritime career began on the government side: she spent roughly 11 years at the Panamanian Consulate in Antwerp as a maritime business developer, handling seafarer documentation and flag-state processes. That vantage point, watching seafarers and crewing agencies grind through paperwork for seaman books and certification became the founding thesis for her companies. As she has put it, she saw how many of those processes could be automated, and the network she built in the sector during those years made it feasible to act on it.

She took leave from the consulate in early March 2024 to go all-in on the business, which she bootstrapped from personal savings with a small team, later partnering with a software firm to build the platform properly. Today she is CEO and co-founder of a linked group of maritime ventures:

-Seaman Solutions (based in Belgium): digital seafarer documentation and compliance: seaman books, ILO C108-compliant paperwork, flag-state compliance, tracking portals. It reports 5,000+ seaman books processed and won a Bronze Startup Award in 2025.

-eSea Vault app (available for both iOS and Android): a career document wallet letting seafarers hold safely, track expiry and renew their own certificates and documents, with AI-assisted features and focus on seafarer safety, offering secure limited-access document sharing links so seafarers can control who holds their documents and companies can check credentials/compliance faster.

-E-SEA Learning: the training arm, offering ISO 9001-certified, Panama Maritime Authority-approved STCW online courses, in a full e-learning modality.

She frames the whole project as ``reinventing the seafaring career``, moving crew compliance from bureaucratic and employer-held to digital and seafarer-owned. She speaks publicly on maritime digitalization and crew welfare, including at Crew Welfare Week 2026, and has appeared in Elle Magazine, Maritime Intelligence Magazine, Women in Ports programming on digitalizing maritime governance, among other features.

Alberto Rossi is lawyer specialising in transport, maritime and port law, with a particular focus on competition matters. He is a partner at ADVANT – NCTM, where he is a member of the Maritime Transport and Logistics Department. He has spent extended periods abroad, where he gained in-depth experience in contractual and insurance matters related to transport. Since 2018, he has served as Secretary General of Assarmatori. He is an expert member of CIPOM (Italian Interministerial Committee for Maritime Policies), the author of numerous academic publications, and a regular contributor to seminars and conferences.

Nicolò Iguera is President of YoungShip Italia, the Italian chapter of the international association for young maritime professionals, and a board member of the Young Shipowners Group of Confitarma, the Italian Shipowners' Association.

A naval architect graduated from the University of Genoa, he works at Cambiaso Risso Group, a leading Genoa-based insurance broker, where he specialises in claims. Since taking the helm of YoungShip Italia in 2023, he helped the association in connecting young talents with the maritime industry, including the creation of the ``Talent Draft``, a talent-scouting initiative inspired by the draft model of American universities.

Dr. Murat Sümer is The Nippon Foundation Assistant Professor in International Maritime Law at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), where he also serves as the Coordinator of Academic Affairs. He joined the Institute in 2019. Dr. Sümer lectures on the public aspects of international maritime law at IMLI`s Master`s programmes and specialized courses.

He holds a PhD in Public International Law from the Faculty of Law at Maastricht University. Murat has two Master`s degrees. Before joining IMLI, Murat served as a Career Diplomat at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 2008-2019.

He has published numerous articles on the public aspects of international maritime law in peer reviewed journals. He is a member of the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) Pool of Experts; Ocean Expert directory of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.

“The three key elements in motivation are intensity, direction, and persistence. Intensity describes how hard a person tries—and it is often the element we focus on most.”

Guided by this principle, my journey has been shaped by continuous learning, determination, and a clear sense of purpose.

Having studied extensively in both Malta and the UK, I have built a diverse and dynamic professional background across technical, engineering, operations, and management fields. My academic path includes a Foundation Diploma in Technical & Engineering, a Management Diploma from Henley Business School (University of Reading, UK), an MMBA in Understanding Petroleum Dynamics from Euromoney (London, UK), and most recently, a Certification in International Law & Legal Studies from the European Institute of Leadership in Dublin.

My career began in 2000 with STMicroelectronics, where I spent over a decade gaining invaluable experience in a global semiconductor environment—an early period that also sparked my long-standing interest in hydrogen and energy innovation.

In 2013, I transitioned to the public sector within the Government of Malta, contributing to key national initiatives, including high-level event logistics for Heads of Government meetings and the development of various policies. These experiences strengthened my ability to operate at the intersection of strategy, operations, and governance.

Among my proudest milestones:
• 2017 – Led the establishment, development, and implementation of the National Traffic Control Centre, including legislative support, budgeting, and business development frameworks.
• 2022 – Project managed and coordinated the implementation of Malta’s Onshore Power Supply (Shore-to-Ship) project, delivering the required electrical infrastructure for cruise liners and establishing the ship-to-shore unit operations, management, and technical service —an important step toward sustainable maritime operations.

These achievements reflect not only intensity, but also direction and persistence—values that continue to drive me forward.

I am honoured to also serve as a Member of the Board of Directors at EOPSA, where I contribute to shaping the future of the energy and oil sector.

Grateful for the journey so far and motivated for what lies ahead.

Roberto Demarchi is CEO of Banchero Costa & C. Agenzia Marittima in Genoa, where he oversees the group's shipping agency activities and port services.
He has served as Vice President of Assagenti since 2024.

Vanessa is a partner at Stephenson Harwood’s Athens office – an experienced ship finance and transactional lawyer with over 20 years of experience.

Vanessa previously worked as an in-house lawyer in major shipping firms and as a lawyer in other international law firms in China, Belgium, UK and Greece before joining Stephenson Harwood.

Vanessa is the first Greek and European woman to qualify in the Marshall Islands and she is internationally recognised for her expertise in Marshall Islands and Liberia law. Vanessa is also qualified and practices law in Greece and in England and Wales.

Vanessa further specialises in transactions in the shipping and international trade sectors. She represents banks and ship owners in financing transactions. In addition, she advises on ship sale and purchase and newbuilding contracts and commercial arrangements, including charterparty, agency, shareholder and joint venture agreements.

Vanessa advises as a Marshall Islands and Liberian law expert on pending court proceedings.

Fanny Lossy is the European Shipowners | ECSA’s Senior Director for climate, environment and maritime. Since 2018, she has been representing ECSA’s 21 national associations from the EU and Norway towards the EU institutions. She leads the team responsible for the climate, environment, maritime safety and offshore files. A lawyer by training, she has been working in EU affairs in Brussels since 2007.

Ms. Ramat Jalloh is a Lecturer in International Maritime Law at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), where she lectures post graduate students on Private Law, International Law, Shipping Law, and Law of the Sea. Her speciality areas include Marine Environmental Law, International Maritime Labour Law, Nationality, Registration and Ownership of Ships, and Maritime Legislation Drafting. In addition to lecturing, Ms. Jalloh is the Institute’s coordinator of the IMLI Specialized Courses on the Law of Treaties and Seafarers Rights’. She also assists and supports academic initiatives, participates in IMLI’s research projects and co-ordination of IMLI’s academic publications. She frequently participates as Speaker and Guest Lecturer in the areas of her specialities.
She has a Master of Laws (LL.M.) awarded with Distinction in International Maritime Law from the IMO International Maritime Law Institute, a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) awarded with Honours and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
She is a Ph.D. Candidate at the Doctoral Program: Marine Science, Technology and Management in Galicia, Spain.

Georges is a travel agent by profession and still operates an IATA travel agency after 36 years. He currently manages Gardens Yacht Marina in Ta’Xbiex.
Georges has served as a committee member of the Royal Malta Yacht Club between 1997 to 2012. He was elected Commodore of the Club in January 2000, a post he held until February 2012. Georges rejoined the Committee in 2015 and continues to serve to the present day.
Throughout his tenure, Georges drove a programme of change and re-energised the RMYC from a traditional ageing colonial social club to a dynamic, energised and recognised entity turning it from a local outlook into an internationally recognised establishment that has a place within the top rankings of clubs around the world. He focused on increasing corporate level sponsorship participation through the introduction of a number of new events in which companies were given exposure to affiliate their brand with the boating fraternity. Enticed companies such as BMW, Vodafone, Rolex SA, Bank of Valletta, AirMalta together with the Malta Tourism and Maritime Authorities amongst others.
He was influential and the main driving force in securing the Rolex sponsorship for the Middle Sea Race and place it in the world rankings of international yachting to a position of significance and status as one of the “must do” races for every yachtsman, professional or Corinthian. He was responsible in successfully negotiating with Government and private stakeholders the reallocation of the RMYC to suitable location. He also spearheaded the new Clubhouse built in Ta’ Xbiex and in 2021 was responsible for the refurbishment and maintenance programme undertaken by the Club. Georges is the Rear Commodore, Special events and will retain his role of Race Director of the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Dr Nicholas Valenzia is a Partner at Mamo TCV Advocates and heads the firm's Shipping and Yachting practice. He has substantial experience advising on yacht and superyacht ownership and operational structures, acquisitions and disposals, registration and reflagging, financing and security, and related VAT, tax and customs matters. His practice combines transactional and asset-finance expertise with experience in maritime enforcement and cross-border disputes. He is a Vice-President of the Malta Maritime Law Association and Co-Chair of its Corporate Sub-Committee, and is ranked by Chambers Europe for Shipping in Malta.

Niki Travers Tauss is Managing Director and Sales Broker at Fraser Yachts Malta and Group Managing Director of Tauss Holdings. With over two decades in yachting, more than €150 million in yacht sales, and representation of the Azimut|Benetti Group in Malta since 2005, he leads a 50-strong group spanning yacht sales, technical support, superyacht agency, marina operations, charter and yacht management, and vessel finance — including Esprit Yachting, Valletta Superyachts, Marina di Valletta, Mediterranean Yacht Sales, Strand Marine and AB Finance. In 2016, together with Paolo Vitelli, he led the initial development of Marina di Valletta and later became D-Marin's Country Manager for Malta. He acts as technical advisor, owner's representative and director for numerous prominent yacht owners, including the Maltese Falcon, and chairs the Yachting Services Business Section of the Malta Chamber of Commerce. Niki is a keen yachtsman with more than 30,000 nautical miles at sea, and in his spare time enjoys good wine, cooking and racing GT cars.

Michael Tirrito is an Italian lawyer specialising in maritime employment, yachting and maritime business law. He is the founder of SLT Yacht, a law firm dedicated to supporting yacht owners, shipyards, marinas and maritime operators, and serves as President of AssoYacht – Associazione Armatori del Diporto.

He has contributed to major regulatory and contractual initiatives within the Italian yachting industry, including collective labour agreements for private and commercial yachting. Since 2025, he has also been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Naples “Parthenope”, teaching within its Yacht Management programme.

A regular speaker at industry conferences, Tirrito focuses on maritime employment, taxation, regulation and the evolving legal landscape of the international yachting sector.

Professor Dr. Simone Borg LL.D., M.Jur. (International law), Ph.D (IMLI) is a resident academic at the University of Malta, a visiting professor at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute and lectures at various Universities abroad, with an academic and diplomatic career, which spans over thirty years specializing in International law and policy relating to climate change, ocean governance and Law of the Sea as well as marine biodiversity conservation. She practices International law, as legal adviser to the Maltese government and occasionally to the EU Commission and UN institutions. She has served as Malta’s ambassador on climate action since 2011 and chairs the National Climate Action Council.

Prof Borg is a member of the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law, its sub-committee on the oceans and has authored various publications on both ocean governance and climate change. She is a peer reviewer for academic legal papers for various legal publishing houses of International repute.