The 10th Capital Link Maritime Leaders Summit – Greece was successfully held on Monday, June 1, 2026, as part of the Posidonia Week Conference Program. Organized by Capital Link in partnership with DNV and with the cooperation of NASDAQ and NYSE, the biennial event once again confirmed its position as one of the most prominent maritime gatherings during Posidonia Week.
A panel that drew particular attention was “Shipping & the Global Energy Landscape,” featuring leading industry figures including Maria Angelicoussis, CEO of Angelicoussis Group; Eng. Ahmed Ali Alsubaey, CEO and Board Member of Bahri Group; Evangelos Marinakis, Founder and Chairman of Capital Maritime & Trading Corp.; and George Prokopiou, Founder of Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd., Dynagas Ltd., and Sea Traders S.A. The discussion was moderated by George Paleokrassas, Senior Partner at Watson Farley & Williams.
The gathering came against the backdrop of heightened tensions involving Iran, continued conflict in Ukraine, persistent disruptions in the Red Sea and ongoing trade friction between the United States and China. Together, these developments are forcing shipping companies, energy producers and governments to rethink long-held assumptions about supply chains, energy security and fleet investment.
At the center of the discussion was the impact of instability around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. Maria Angelicoussis, chief executive officer of Angelicoussis Group, described recent events as among the most significant disruptions to global energy markets in decades.
The consequences are already being felt across shipping markets. Damage to LNG infrastructure in Qatar and disruptions to export routes have increased competition among Asian and European buyers for alternative cargoes, particularly from the United States. As a result, U.S. LNG exports are becoming increasingly important to both Europe and Asia, further strengthening America’s position as a global energy supplier.
For shipowners, the changes are creating both risks and opportunities. Longer voyage distances are emerging as one of the most significant market effects. With the Panama Canal remaining costly and less predictable for many operators, more LNG vessels are routing around the Cape of Good Hope. The longer journeys increase demand for ton-miles, a key measure of shipping activity that often supports freight rates and vessel utilization.
Yet the industry’s leaders were careful not to frame the current environment simply as a commercial opportunity.
Eng. Ahmed Ali Alsubaey, CEO & Board Member – Bahri Group, argued that shipping has become the critical connective tissue of the global economy. Energy, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and defense may represent individual sectors, he said, but shipping is what enables them to function across borders.
His comments reflected a growing consensus among maritime executives that the industry’s role extends beyond transporting cargo. The resilience of supply chains, once viewed primarily through a logistical lens, is increasingly being discussed as a matter of national and economic security.
That shift in perception has accelerated since the pandemic, which exposed vulnerabilities in global trade networks. It has intensified further as wars and regional conflicts have repeatedly disrupted major shipping routes.
Mr. Evangelos Marinakis, Founder and Chairman, Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., emphasized that maritime transport is likely to play an even greater role once geopolitical tensions eventually ease. Any normalization of trade flows, he argued, will require substantial replenishment of depleted inventories and the restoration of disrupted energy and commodity supply chains. Shipping companies will be central to that process.
The discussion also focused on the growing concern over the shadow fleet, as these ships represent both environmental and operational risks. Mrs. Maria Angelicoussis, CEO of Angelicoussis Group warned that a significant portion of the global tanker fleet is aging rapidly, while Mr. Marinakis warned of the need for a clearer timetable for the retirement and recycling of substandard vessels. Such a move, he contends, would improve safety standards, reduce environmental risks and create a more level competitive landscape for operators investing in modern fleets.
Mr. George Prokopiou, Founder of Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd., Dynagas Ltd., and Sea Traders S.A. suggested that market conditions are already beginning to constrain shadow fleet activity. Reduced opportunities in Venezuela and other markets have narrowed the operating space for many of these vessels, leaving Russia as one of their primary remaining employment sources.
Beyond immediate geopolitical concerns, the summit exposed a divide between shipping executives and policymakers over decarbonization. While industry leaders broadly support emissions reductions, several speakers called for realistic regulatory timelines and request for more consideration when it comes to technological and economic constraints.
In fact, Mr. Prokopiou argued that global energy demand continues to rise alongside living standards, making it unrealistic to assume a rapid displacement of conventional fuels. Rather than an energy transition, he believes we are living through an energy addition era, in which new energy sources are being introduced without fully replacing oil, natural gas and coal.
Mr. Angelicoussis agreed on the front of a more pragmatic approach, stressing the need for global consensus through the IMO. She emphasized that future policies should be grounded in technical feasibility and supported by commercially viable technologies.
“We are optimistic about the future of shipping,” said Μr. Marinakis, arguing that the industry remains essential to global commerce and will play a central role in rebuilding supply chains once geopolitical tensions ease. He added that shipping companies must continue investing in modern fleets while maintaining strong relationships with customers through a mix of spot-market exposure and long-term charter agreements.
Many of the industry’s largest private operators continue to invest heavily in fleet renewal, focusing on technologically advanced vessels with improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions profiles. Μrs. Angelicoussis, talked about investing in high-quality tonnage and pursuing decarbonization through practical and commercially viable solutions as well.
Perhaps the strongest point of consensus concerned the industry’s workforce. “Shipping is not just another industry. It is the backbone that supports all industries,” noted Mr. Alsubaey. “Without shipping, there is no energy, no food security, no healthcare, no manufacturing,” he concluded.
