Navigating the Geopolitical Seascape Seminar 2026 Concludes on a High Note with Dynamic Industry Dialogue

The “Navigating the Geopolitical Seascape Seminar 2026” concluded with resounding success, attracting more than 150 maritime professionals, industry executives, legal experts, academics, and business leaders from across Hong Kong and the overseas shipping and logistics community. Jointly organised by The Nautical Institute Hong Kong Branch and The Institute of Seatransport, the seminar delivered a highly engaging platform for insightful discussion, strategic networking, and forward-looking industry exchange.

The Chairmen of both organising institutes welcomed the distinguished guests and expressed their sincere appreciation for the strong attendance and overwhelming support from the maritime and logistics community. They thanked all participants for their presence and contribution in making the seminar a meaningful platform for industry dialogue and collaboration.

Against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade alliances, supply chain disruptions, and evolving regulatory pressures, the seminar explored how the global maritime sector is adapting to an increasingly complex operating environment. The event generated vibrant discussions around the future of shipping, risk management, maritime law, commercial resilience, and the strategic importance of Hong Kong as an international maritime hub.

The seminar opened with an impactful keynote speech by Mr. Vic Yau, Permanent Secretary for the Transport and Logistics Bureau of the HKSAR Government. Addressing the audience, Mr. Yau spoke about the growing importance of agility and innovation within the maritime industry and reaffirmed Hong Kong’s commitment to strengthening its position as a leading global maritime and logistics centre. His remarks highlighted the government’s ongoing support for maritime development, talent cultivation, and international collaboration in response to rapidly changing global dynamics.

The event was further distinguished by the presence of Guest of Honour, Legislative Council Member representing the Transport and Logistics sector, Capt. Lothair Lam, whose attendance underscored strong institutional support for the maritime industry and its continued development in Hong Kong.

One of the major highlights of the seminar was the lively and thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by Mr. Jagmeet Makkar, FICS, Independent Arbitrator & Accredited Mediator. Through a dynamic and interactive exchange, the panel tackled some of the most pressing issues facing the maritime world today, including geopolitical tensions affecting global trade routes, sanctions and compliance risks, supply chain security, decarbonisation challenges, maritime insurance exposure, and the shifting balance of international economic power.


The distinguished panel featured:
 

· Niraj Nanda, Chief Commercial Officer of Anglo-Eastern Univan Group

· Malene Wang, Managing Director & Senior Lawyer of Gard (HK) Limited

· Capt C Z Chen, Commercial Director of Wah Kwong Maritime Transport and Managing Director of Wah Kwong Bulk

· Jianjun Wang, Founder & CEO of Goldsea International

· Lianjun Li, Senior Partner of Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP
 

The discussion was widely praised for its candid perspectives, practical insights, and real-world industry experiences. Panelists shared compelling views on how shipping companies are navigating uncertainty while balancing commercial pressures, operational resilience, and long-term strategic planning. Audience members were particularly engaged during the Q&A session, where questions sparked deeper conversations on emerging risks, opportunities in Asia elsewhere, and the future direction of global maritime trade.

Beyond the formal sessions, the seminar also provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing attendees to reconnect with industry peers, exchange ideas, and explore future collaborations. The strong participation from sponsors, supporting organisations, and media partners further reflected the industry’s collective commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation during a period of significant global transformation.

The event concluded with inspiring closing remarks by Mr. Benjamin Wong of InvestHK, who emphasised Hong Kong’s unique advantages as an international business and maritime centre. He encouraged industry stakeholders to continue embracing innovation, strengthening partnerships, and leveraging Hong Kong’s strategic connectivity to capture future opportunities in the evolving global marketplace.

Participants described the seminar as timely, insightful, and highly relevant, with many noting that the quality of discussion and level of audience engagement made it one of the standout maritime events held in recent times.

Dr. Kaushik Roy, Chair of the Nautical Institute Hong Kong branch, and Mr. Brian Yam, Chair of the Institute of Seatransport expressed their sincere appreciation to all distinguished speakers, panellists, sponsors, supporting organisations, media partners, organising committee, and attendees for their valuable presence, active participation, and continued support. They thanked everyone for contributing to the success of the seminar and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration and dialogue in strengthening the maritime industry

By
Capt. Vijendra Dogra & Mr. Shekkappan Kannan
 

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.

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