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.

Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Futaisi is an engineer, entrepreneur, investor, and former Minister of Transport and Communications of the Sultanate of Oman, where he served

from 2011 to 2020. During his tenure, he led one of the country's most ambitious infrastructure transformation programs, overseeing the development of world-class

airports, highways, ports, logistics networks, and digital infrastructure. Under his leadership, Oman significantly strengthened its global competitiveness in transport and

logistics while establishing landmark institutions including ASYAD Group and Oman Aviation Group.

Prior to his public service, Dr. Al Futaisi was an Associate Professor at Sultan Qaboos University, where he taught Civil and Environmental Engineering, supervised

postgraduate research, and published extensively in internationally recognized journals. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California,

Berkeley, an M.Sc. from Cornell University, and a B.Sc. from Sultan Qaboos University. Today, Dr. Al Futaisi is Chairman and founder of a diversified group of companies

operating in engineering, laboratory testing, mining, environmental services, calibration, inspection, and industrial technologies. Through these ventures, he continues to

contribute to major infrastructure, energy, mining, and industrial projects across the region while promoting innovation, quality, and sustainable development.

Recognized for his ability to bridge academia, government, and business, Dr. Al Futaisi brings a unique perspective on leadership, infrastructure development, economic

diversification, logistics, industrial growth, and the role of technology in shaping future economies. His experience spans more than three decades across research, public

policy, executive leadership, and entrepreneurship, making him a sought-after speaker at international conferences and industry forums.

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.

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).

Jon is an arbitrator. He is the current President of the LMAA. In addition to London, he has arbitrated in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Rotterdam.
Before he was an arbitrator, Jon spent nearly forty years in private practice for Ince & Co., first in their London office and then heading their office in Piraeus.
He acted in all types of maritime and commercial disputes for a wide range of clients. Jon has taught and lectured across the world for BIMCO and other bodies on
maritime law and arbitration. He is probably the only speaker at the Summit to have taught charterparty law with the aid of a piano. Jon co-edited one of the leading textbooks on the law of ship sale and purchase.
As a matter of full disclosure, Jon supports Tottenham Hotspur. In happier days he remembers as an eight-year-old watching England winning the World Cup.

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.

Dr. Anastasia Kiritsi is a Professor, Academic Shipping Director, Secretary General of the International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI), and the Managing Director of Greece-based Omnia Global. Operating internationally across London, Berlin, China, and India—where she executes specialized technical workshops—she specializes in technological sovereignty, dual-use IP licensing, and securing critical maritime and logistics infrastructure.

Her primary focus is leading Omnia Global's development of AI-SMART, a core intelligence framework evaluated by the European Commission (COST Action) with a highly competitive 8/10 score. Her scientific authority is backed by her Springer publications on AI in shipping, and the company is integrated into the ecosystem registry of the Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation (HCDI) to build high-tier resilience for vital supply chains.

Combining her global academic leadership positions with active defense-tech deployment, Dr. Kiritsi architects industrial consortia through Omnia Global to ensure regional stability, domestic capability, and safe navigation through the world's most critical maritime choke points.

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 Club 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 a Board Member, Vice President of the Fiscal & Financial 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.

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sotiris Raptis is the Secretary General of European Shipowners | ECSA. He took his first steps in the world of shipping as a policy advisor in the European Parliament back in 2010. He joined ES|ECSA as Director of Environment and Safety in 2020 and took on the role of Secretary General in 2022. Before leading ES|ECSA, Sotiris held several positions in different stakeholder organisations, such as ESPO and T&E. Sotiris is a qualified lawyer, with degrees from the University of Thessaloniki, the University of Athens and King’s College London. In 2008, he was awarded the European Citizen’s Prize of the European Parliament as member of the “G700” blog for promoting intergenerational justice.

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.