Global Maritime Forum hosts Annual Summit 2024 in Tokyo, Japan
The Global Maritime Forum gathered approximately 220 top leaders in Tokyo for its 7th Annual Summit, held 15-17 October 2024. The event provided a collaborative space for industry innovators, first movers, policymakers, and experts to address pivotal maritime issues. Heightened concerns about seafarer well-being, coupled with the drive for rapid decarbonisation and mounting geopolitical challenges, framed the Summit, which featured workshops, keynote speeches, and expert briefings aimed at delivering actionable solutions.
“Going by what many attendees told me, this year’s Annual Summit was incredibly successful. We broadened the conversation to a wider group of organisations and expanded our community of action”, said Global Maritime Forum CEO Johannah Christensen. “The more perspectives we bring in, the better our chances of reaching our collective goals.”
Christensen emphasised that long-term progress happens through many small steps taken collectively.
The Annual Summit serves as a unique platform for industry leaders to engage in open dialogue, align priorities, and drive collective action, with the Global Maritime Forum serving as a trusted facilitator to spark collaboration. This year, the tenor of discussions underscored that decarbonisation is no longer just an aspirational goal but a concrete priority actively being implemented across the industry, reflecting a shared determination to drive real, transformative change and signalling a significant shift in both attitude and action since the first Summit in 2018.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez joins the conversation
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez reassured industry leaders that the regulatory body will achieve a successful compromise at next year’s Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting.
“The IMO and all its member states continue to be very committed to the goals that were established when we adopted the GHG [Greenhouse Gas] 2023 Strategy last year,” Dominguez said. “The reality is that we continue to be on track to make the required decisions next year, starting with the approval of the technical and economic measures in April and then moving toward the adoption toward the end of the year.”
Hear directly from the Secretary-General—in this short video interview →
In the spotlight: Key emerging issues in the maritime industry
Decarbonisation on the fast track
The urgency of reducing emissions took centre stage in Tokyo, with leaders discussing pathways toward net-zero targets and exploring how to advance decarbonisation efforts despite regulatory uncertainty and evolving technology. Conversations highlighted two critical policy areas: narrowing the price gap between traditional and green fuels and ensuring a just and equitable transition. A sense of urgency loomed large as the industry must rapidly transition towards viable economic models to realise the net-zero vision.
Human sustainability as a top priority
The Summit also focused on the people at the heart of global maritime supply chains. Discussions recognised the pressing need to establish stronger universal principles and standards that offer clear guidance on improving crew welfare. Improved transparency also emerged as a critical factor, with a focus on how poor treatment, insufficient training, and fatigue can lead to more accidents, degrade asset quality, and induce costs.
Strengthening governance and accountability
Governance was another prominent theme, with discussions centred on strengthening the industry’s resilience against a broad spectrum of future risks, such as geopolitical tension, piracy, cyberattacks, and security threats. The escalating impacts of geopolitical challenges, the rise of the dark fleet, and the inconsistent enforcement of existing regulations were identified as factors that pose serious threats to the industry’s reputation and long-term stability. Strengthening maritime governance was seen as essential to confronting these challenges and ensuring the industry’s ability to navigate an increasingly uncertain future.
If you want more direct insights from the Summit discussions, check out this episode of the ‘Lloyd’s List: The Shipping Podcast’, in which participants tackle the question: ‘Has shipping really moved from laggard to leader?’ Listen here →
Press panel
A press briefing featuring Global Maritime Forum CEO Johannah Christensen, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, MOL’s Chief Sustainability Officer Tatsuro Watanabe, and Rio Tinto’s Head of Operations Laure Baratgin concluded the first full day of the Summit by examining the challenges facing the industry’s decarbonisation efforts.
Watch the recorded livestream of the press briefing here →
