.

.

Copenhagen welcomes the global maritime community for the 2026 World Maritime Forum

Copenhagen is once again gearing up to become the world’s center for maritime innovation and cooperation as the World Maritime Forum returns on February 17–18, 2026. It will be held at the Bella Sky Conference and Event Center, Denmark’s largest and most modern venue. Under the guiding theme “One event. World of maritime,” the 2026 edition is set to be the most ambitious and forward-thinking gathering in the forum’s history.

More than 800 key maritime figures, including shipowners, operators, port authorities, service providers, technology leaders, regulators, classification societies, and government representatives, will come together to explore the challenges, opportunities, and transformative ideas shaping the future of global shipping.

A powerful Two-Day program

At the core of the forum is an outstanding lineup of 12 expert-led panel discussions, each addressing the most critical issues propelling maritime transformation:

• Scaling Maritime Decarbonization: What’s Proven, What’s Still Experimental

• The Nuclear Option: Maritime’s Ultimate Game-Changer?

• Alternative Fuels & Bunkering Infrastructure: From Fuel Choices to Supply Chains

• The Invisible Enemy: Cyber Threats Sabotaging Global Fleets

• From Crew Crisis to a Sustainable Future: Welfare, Skills & Collaboration

• Innovation Meets Resistance: Cracking the Code of Shipowner Adoption — and Unlocking Real Fleet Solutions

• Decarbonization Finance, Carbon Markets & Regulatory Mechanisms

• Beyond Compliance: Maritime ESG and the Social License to Operate

• The Digital Race: Front-Runners and Followers in Maritime Transformation

• Trusting the Machine: Artificial Intelligence in Safety, Efficiency, and Compliance

• The Wind Factor: Scalable Solution or Niche Technology?

• Autonomous Fleets: Who Will Be in Charge When No One’s on Board?

The program will also include two insightful one-on-one conversations, offering perspectives on the industry’s long-term trajectory and shifting geopolitical landscape:

• Visions 2040+: Maritime Futures in an Era of Radical Change

• From Shadow Fleets to Open Conflict: The Geopolitics of Maritime Risk

Networking, technology, and collaboration

In addition to the conference sessions, the forum will host an expansive exhibition area featuring over 50 exhibitors, presenting innovative technologies, services, and sustainable maritime solutions. Attendees will be able to explore the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, alternative fuels, and fleet management systems, while connecting with partners across the global maritime ecosystem.

The first day will conclude with a gala cocktail reception, providing a relaxed and elegant environment for informal discussions and networking.

Setting a new benchmark for maritime collaboration

With its comprehensive agenda, high-level speakers, dynamic exhibition, and unmatched networking opportunities, the World Maritime Forum 2026 is poised to set a new standard for international maritime gatherings, reaffirming Copenhagen’s role as a global leader in driving the industry’s transformation.