Conference Programme
Ship Finance - helping the industry navigate through increasingly uncertain waters
09 February 2026 | Grosvenor House, Dubai
Ship Finance - helping the industry navigate through increasingly uncertain waters
The TMS Ship Finance and Trade Conference, successfully held on seven previous occasions, returns in 2026. The one-day event will take place on 9 February at Grosvenor House, Dubai, and is expected to attract over 300 delegates. Attendees will hear from expert speakers representing ship finance, banking, shipping, ports, shipbroking, maritime law, logistics, trade facilitation and related sectors.
The overarching theme for this year is “Ship Finance - helping the industry navigate through increasingly uncertain waters,” reflecting the volatile conditions currently shaping the sector. The
conference will assess broader industry and global market trends, and how these are influencing
ship finance today. It will also examine how financial institutions, lenders and lessors can support
shipowners and operators as they navigate a market defined by uncertainty.
With regulatory timelines still evolving, the programme will explore how closer collaboration
between banks, financiers and shipping interests can help advance the green transition in a practical
and financially sustainable way.
09:00
Registration
09:00
Welcome Refreshments
Sponsor
09:45
Welcome and Keynote Address
Nawal Al Magafi
Senior Broadcast Journalist, BBC
Capt. Ammar Al Shaiba
CEO Maritime Cluster & Noatum Maritime, AD Ports Group
10:00
Session 1
Financial Strategies in a Volatile World
This session examines how economic and market volatility, regulatory uncertainty and shifting industry dynamics are influencing ship finance today. Experts will discuss how lenders, investors and shipowners can adapt their financial strategies to navigate an increasingly unpredictable environment.
Key Topics to be Addressed:
- Emerging global trends in ship finance
- The implications of trade wars, tariffs and sanctions for financial services
- Regulatory uncertainty - what does the IMO ‘pause’ on net zero mean for the industry?
- Risk management, contract structures, and reducing information asymmetry in shipping finance
- Mergers and acquisitions- will there be a new spike?
- Is conventional bank lending to shipping set to rise?
- Alternative lenders - has their time now come?
- Financing new buildings at a time of geopolitical and regulatory turmoil
- The Greek ship finance sector - evolving to find new opportunities
- Chinese leasing vehicles - under threat?
- Mitigating risk amidst geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty
- Classification - creating a sound basis for investment
- Shariah-compliant financing in the maritime sector
Session Chair
Nawal Al Maghafi
Senior Broadcast Journalist
BBC
Speakers
Capt. Ammar Al Shaiba
CEO Maritime Cluster & Noatum Maritime
AD Ports Group
Daniel Richards
Senior MENA Economist
Emirates NBD
Niaz Bin Yusuf
SVP - M&A, Funding & Projects
AD Ports Group
Jianjun Wang
Chief Executive Officer
Goldsea International Company Limited
Ahmed Al-Shukaili
Senior Vice President - Finance
ASYAD Shipping
Daejin Lee
Global Head of Research
Fertmax FZCO
Ali Abouda
Group CFO
Gulf Navigation Holding
Capt. S.R. Patnaik
Managing Partner and CEO
Panbulk Shipping
Tony Dagher
Managing Director
TMC Shipping
Thomas Stjernholm
Managing Director, Commercial
Tomini
Han Ning
General Manager
Shipbid.net
Maxim Syn
Sales Director - Maritime
Ebury
11:15
Refreshment Break
Sponsor
11:30
Panel Discussion
The panel discussions at SFTC 2026 bring together senior industry leaders, shipowners, financiers, and service providers to debate key topics shaping the future of maritime finance. Through interactive dialogue, speakers will share insights on financial strategies in volatile markets, sustainable financing, risk management, and investment decision-making. These discussions provide delegates with practical perspectives and actionable ideas to navigate increasingly uncertain waters.
12:30
Q&A Session
Delegates are encouraged to participate actively in the Q&A sessions, engaging directly with speakers and panelists. This session offers an opportunity to clarify key points, explore challenges specific to individual organisations, and gain a deeper understanding of the strategies and solutions being presented. It ensures a two-way exchange of knowledge and promotes practical learning for all attendees.
13:00
Lunch
Sponsor
14:00
Sponsor
Session 2
Developing Financial Tools to Sustain Support for the Green transition
This session focuses on the financial mechanisms needed to accelerate maritime decarbonisation. It will highlight the challenges of long-term investment in green technologies, evolving regulatory expectations and the tools that can support sustainable growth across the industry.
Topics will include
- New buildings with alternative fuels - how can financial services support long-term investment amidst regulatory uncertainty
- Financing the next round of environmental retrofits
- Greenwashing - is this a growing concern for the industry
- Regulatory scrutiny - how will this evolve?
- Emerging carbon trade markets - strategies for further development
- The Poseidon Principles - is shipping sticking with the plan?
- Assessing the financial risks of the green transition
- The role of maritime decarbonisation funds
- Investing in the human skills needed to support green shipping
- Encouraging digitalisation and AI innovators to drive sustainable shipping
Session Chair
Ali Shehab
Global Director of Special Projects and Services
DNV - Maritime
Speakers
Tien Tai
Partner
HFW
Navin Kumar
Head of Bulk Shipping Research
Drewry Maritime Research
Theo Xenakoudis
Chief Commercial Officer, Managing Director, Piraeus Office
International Registries, Inc.
Jonathan Keyes
Head of Sustainable Solutions Group - Middle East
ING Bank N.V. Dubai Branch
Capt. Vikas Pandey
Founder & CEO
ShipFinex
Shailesh Bhala
Chief Operating Officer
Best Oasis, DMCC
Capt. Zarir S. Irani
Managing Director
Constellation Marine Services
15:30
Refreshment Break
Sponsor
15:45
Panel discussion
Session 2 focuses on the financing and investment approaches supporting sustainable and low-carbon shipping. Leading shipowners, financiers, and service providers will discuss green finance, transition strategies, sustainable asset investment, and operational risk management, offering insights into practical approaches for building environmentally responsible and financially viable fleets.
16:45
Q&A Session
Delegates will have the opportunity to interact with panelists, ask questions on sustainable finance initiatives, risk management, and innovative financing models, and gain practical guidance for implementing low-carbon strategies in their own operations.
17:15
Summary and Closing Remarks
The conference will conclude with a summary of key insights, trends, and actionable takeaways discussed throughout the day. The closing remarks will highlight opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth in the maritime sector, helping delegates leave equipped with knowledge to strengthen their organisations’ resilience and competitiveness in today’s dynamic shipping and finance environment.
