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The 16th Annual Capital Link Operational Excellence in Shipping Forum is held in partnership with ABS on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Divani Caravel Hotel in Athens, Greece.
With a 16-year track record, this Forum stands as the premier event dedicated to showcasing operational excellence in the maritime industry. It explores best practices across all critical areas, including fleet management, technological innovation, crewing, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability, as well as safety and security.
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Agenda Topics
REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
8:30 - 9:10 AM
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WELCOME REMARKS
9:15 - 9:20 AM
Mr. Nicolas Bornozis, President – Capital Link, Inc.
OPENING KEYNOTE REMARKS
THE GREEK FLEET AND THE PRACTICAL FUTURE OF LOW-CARBON SHIPPING
9:20 - 9:30 AM
Dr. Elias Kariambas, Vice President, Regional Business Development, Southern Europe – ABS
FLEET OPERATIONS: STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING IN AN ERA OF UNCERTAINTY
9:35 - 10:15 AM
Today's fleet operators face an unprecedented convergence of challenges-from geopolitical tensions and shifting trade patterns to decarbonization, digital transformation, cybersecurity, evolving regulations, and an increasingly competitive market for seafarers. Success is no longer defined by operational efficiency alone, but by the ability to make strategic decisions in an environment of constant change.
Moderator: Mr. Angelos Minakis, Manager, Business Development, Greece – ABS
Panelists:
- Mr. Andreas Hadjipetrou, CEO – Columbia Group
- Mr. Antonis Georgantzis, Chief Operating Officer – Latsco Marine Management Inc.
- Mr. Mark Pearson, Managing Director – Maran Tankers Management Inc.
- Mr. Nicos Rescos, COO – Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: SBLK)
FROM DATA TO VALUE: CAN YOU TRUST THE INTELLIGENCE BEHIND THE DECISION?
10:20 - 10:30 AM
Presentation by:
- Mr. Steen Lund, CEO – RightShip
AI IN PRACTICE: WHERE IS IT ACTUALLY DELIVERING VALUE?
10:35 - 11:15 AM
Moderator: Mr. Spyridon Zolotas, Vice President, South Europe, Marine – RINA
Panelists:
- Mr. John G. Pateras, Chief Technical Officer – Contships Management Inc.
- Mr. Michalis Pantazopoulos, Senior Vice-President – Liberian Registry (LISCR Hellas)
- Mr. Vasileios G. Petousis, Energy & Sustainability Manager – Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHIP)
- Mr. Theo G. Baltatzis, General Manager – Technomar Shipping Inc.
- Mr. Roine Ahlquist, Chief Commercial Officer – Wilhelmsen Ship Management
FLEET RENEWAL DECISIONS - INVESTING IN THE FLEET OF TOMORROW
11:20 - 12:00 PM
Ships, Shipyards, & Fuels
Moderator: Mr. Panos Mitrou, Senior Vice President - Shipping Strategy – Lloyd's Register
Panelists:
- Mr. Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO – Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: CCEC); Capital Tankers Corp. (EGO: CAPT)
- Mr. Alex Hadjipateras, COO – Dorian LPG Ltd. (NYSE: LPG); Managing Director – Dorian LPG Management Corp.
- Mr. Thomas Lister, CEO – Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE: GSL)
- Dr. Loukas Barmparis, President – Safe Bulkers, Inc. (NYSE: SB)
FINANCING THE MARITIME TRANSITION:
INVESTING IN A COMPETITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
12:00 - 12:05 PM
- Mr. Yannis Tsakiris, Vice President – European Investment Bank
GREEK SHIPPING - A STRATEGIC ASSET FOR EUROPE AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
12:05 - 12:45 PM
This panel brings together leading Greek shipowners to explore how operational excellence, investment, innovation and a strong maritime ecosystem can sustain the competitiveness and resilience of Greek shipping, while considering policies that can support its long-term growth and reinforce its strategic contribution to Europe and the global economy.
Moderator: Ms. Maria Kyratsoudi, Director - Business Development - Greece – ABS
Panelists:
- Mr. Antonis Kanellakis, Executive Director – Alpha Bulkers/Pantheon Tankers/ Alpha Gas
- Mr. Aristides J. Pittas, Chairman & CEO – Euroseas Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESEA); EuroDry Ltd. (NASDAQ: EDRY); Euroholdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: EHLD)
- Mr. Petros Pappas, CEO and Director – Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: SBLK)
- Mr. Harry Vafias, Founder – Stealthgas (GASS) / Imperial Petroleum (IMPP) / C3iS inc (CISS)
- Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, Founder & CEO – TEN Ltd. (NYSE: TEN); Chairman – INTERTANKO (2014-2018)
SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF THE
"2026 CAPITAL LINK MARITIME SUSTAINABILITY AWARD"
12:50 – 1:15 PM
Presented to:
HELMEPA
For Institutional Leadership in Advancing Maritime Sustainability
Ms. Semiramis Paliou, Chairperson – HELMEPA & INTERMEPA; Director & CEO – Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), will receive the award on behalf of HELMEPA.
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NETWORKING LUNCHEON
1:20 - 2:20 PM
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THE OPERATIONAL EDGE:
HOW OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE CREATES COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGE
2:30 - 3:20 PM
Shipowners, charterers, and industry experts discuss how operational excellence, safety, reliability, sustainability, and technology are shaping vessel selection and long-term partnerships. Does superior operational performance really create commercial advantage?
Moderator: Mr. George Andreadis, M&O Director Greece, Malta & Cyprus – Bureau Veritas
Panelists:
- Mr. Basil Sakellis, CEO – Alassia NewShips Management, Inc.
- Captain Stylianos Dimouleas, CEO – ALMI TANKERS S.A.
- Mr. Matt Caddock, General Manager, Marine Supply and Trading Europe – Chevron
- Mr. Robert Schreve, Senior Freight Trader – OIam Agri
- Mr. David Finch, Chief Commercial Officer – RightShip
- Mr. Jonathan White, Senior Charterer – Trafigura
THE FUTURE SEAFARER: BUILDING A SAFE, SKILLED AND SUSTAINABLE MARITIME WORKFORCE
3:25 - 4:05 PM
Ships are becoming smarter, regulations more demanding, and the maritime industry is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. This panel will explore how the industry can attract, develop, and retain a skilled workforce while preparing seafarers for digitalization, decarbonization, and the changing nature of ship operations.
Moderator: Dr. Marina Papaioannou, Regional Maritime Academies Manager Southeast Europe – DNV
Panelists:
- Ms. Katerina Elikonida Maroudi, Regulatory Manager – BIMCO
- Mr. Eleftherios Pandis, Crew Director – Capital Gas Ship Management Corp.
- Mr. Pankaj Khanna, CEO – Heidmar Maritime Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: HMR)
- Ms. Metaxia Psalti, COO –Neda Maritime Agency Co. Ltd.; Vice Chair – INTERCARGO
- Ms. Yanna Laskari, Crew Manager – TMS Dry Ltd.
THE VOICE OF THE SEAFARER: LIFE, LEADERSHIP AND THE FUTURE AT SEA
4:10 - 4:45 PM
What does it mean to build a career at sea in today's rapidly evolving maritime industry? In this candid discussion, officers and cadets from the Tsakos Group will share their personal journeys, the challenges and rewards of life on board, and their aspirations for the future.
Moderator: Ms. Venetia Kallipolitou, Cross-Departmental HR & Training Manager – TSAKOS Group of Companies
Panelists:
- Mr. Panagiotis Palaios, Technical Superintendent – Tsakos Shipping and Trading S.A.
- Ms. Anastasia Chondrou, Chief Officer – Tsakos Shipping and Trading S.A.
- Mr. Nikolaos Karavanas, 2nd Officer – Tsakos Shipping and Trading S.A.
- Mr. Georgios Balkouras, Electrotechnical and Electronic Cadet – T.E.E.N.S. Maritime Academy
- Mr. Angelos Kalomiris, Engine Cadet – T.E.E.N.S. Maritime Academy
- Ms. Chrysi Dilvoi, Deck Cadet – T.E.E.N.S. Maritime Academy
THE "2026 CAPITAL LINK MARITIME SUSTAINABILITY AWARD"
4:50 – 5:20 PM
Presented to:
The Tsakos Group & The Maria Tsakos Foundation
For their enduring commitment to maritime education,
seafarer training, professional development, welfare, and wellbeing,
and to the sustainable future of the maritime profession.
Minister Niki Kerameus, Minister of Labour and Social Security - Hellenic Republic, will offer Introductory Remarks.
Captain Panagiotis Tsakos, Founder & President – Tsakos Group, & Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, Founder & CEO – TEN Ltd. (NYSE: TEN); Chairman – INTERTANKO (2014-2018), will receive the award on behalf of the Tsakos Group & the Maria Tsakos Foundation
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COCKTAIL RECEPTION
5:20 - 6:20 PM
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Venue
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Divani Caravel Hotel – Athens, Greece
Leof. Vasileos Alexandrou 2, 161 21 Athens, Greece
(Olympia ballroom – lower level)
Telephone: +30 21 0720 7000
For more information about the venue site, visit: https://divanicaravelhotel.com/
CAR PARKING: Car parks around the venue: https://www.parkaround.gr/parking/athens/pagrati/caravel-parking |
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Contacts
For sponsorship and speaking opportunities, please contact: Nicolas Bornozis, Olga Bornozi, Anny Zhu, Anna Wichmann at forum@capitallink.com, or call 212.661.7566 (NY) or +30 (210) 610-9800 (Greece).
For more information, please contact: Eleni Bej at ebej@capitallink.com or call 212.661.7566.
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