Shipowners set to steer the next phase of maritime transformation at Asia Pacific Maritime 2026

The maritime industry’s shift to digitalisation and automation is accelerating, with a clearer strategy emerging to boost efficiency, safety and sustainability. Key questions remain around how fast operators can adopt new technologies to enhance performance, future‑proof fleets, stay competitive and ultimately achieve zero emissions. At Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) 2026, 25–27 March at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, operational management will be in focus as leading shipowners share strategies to navigate this transition, driven by new energy and technological innovations.

APM 2026 will open with a welcome address by Guest‑of‑Honour Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), followed by a keynote panel that sets the tone for the three‑day conference, bringing together 150 senior executives in maritime operations, technical directors, technology leaders and stakeholders. Under the theme “Future of Vessel, Solutions for Tomorrow”, the conference will tackle future fuels and zero‑emission ships, smart and autonomous vessels, next‑generation shipbuilding, maritime cybersecurity, finance, risk and insurance for future fleets, and electric and hybrid power.

The opening keynote, “The Maritime State of Play & What’s Next for Asia” (25 March, 11:10–12:00), will examine how leaders balance immediate cost pressures with long‑term decarbonisation targets, choose viable fuel pathways and build resilience amid regulatory and trade‑flow uncertainty. Moderated by Punit Oza, President, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, the panel features Mohamed Safwan Othman (Dinastia Jati Group, MASA, FASA), SK Lim (G2 Ocean), Jotaro Tamura (Mitsui OSK Lines), Joey Chua (Singapore Shipping Association), Ben Pike (Swire Shipping) and Roine Ahlquist (Wilhelmsen). “Shipowners across ASEAN operate under tighter decarbonisation targets, rising compliance costs and mounting pressure to digitalise; the challenge is not ambition but execution, with decisions on fuels, fleet renewal and digital investments requiring careful calibration of capital, risk and long‑term competitiveness,” said Mohamed Safwan Othman, who looks forward to using APM to explore how C‑suite leaders can build resilience in a period of constant change.​

Beyond high‑level strategy, APM 2026 will examine how change is playing out at vessel level. The session “Securing LNG’s Long‑Term Viability as a Shipping Fuel” (26 March, 10:30–11:20) will look at renewed interest in LNG‑fuelled vessels and whether LNG can remain competitive as decarbonisation rules tighten, amid growing scrutiny of methane slip and lifecycle emissions. “LNG is now a proven fuel with established infrastructure and operational experience, but its long‑term success hinges on continued technology improvements and broader adoption, especially in tackling methane slip and scaling bio‑LNG and e‑LNG,” said Sachin Saharawat, Technical Director, Eastern Pacific Shipping.​

Digital systems and automation are emerging as equally decisive for fleet competitiveness. The panel “Maritime Autonomy is Here – Are We Ready?” (26 March, 16:30–17:20) will explore how AI‑enabled systems are being deployed on commercial ships to deliver measurable gains in safety, efficiency and performance. “We already see practical applications in predictive maintenance, voyage optimisation and fleet performance monitoring; success depends on alignment between technical teams, IT, shore management and crew so that digital innovation strengthens, rather than fragments, operational control,” said Salvador Jr Respeto, Technical Director, Columbia Shipmanagement.​

Across these sessions, a structural shift is clear: technical, digital and commercial decisions are converging, reflected in the breadth of shipowner participation at APM 2026. Technical leaders such as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Berge Bulk), Pankaj Porwal (Hafnia), Pankaj Singhal (Fleet Management) and Uma Dutt (Anglo‑Eastern) will be joined by IT specialists including Patric Desanti‑Fettkenheuer (BW Group), Shoby Saseedharanan (Berge Bulk) and Uttam Kumar (Synergy Marine). Other confirmed experts include Francois‑Xavier Accard (CMA CGM International Shipping), New Wei Siang (MPA), Gobinathan M Ramachanderan (MISC), Capt Cheah Sin Bi (Orkim), Gautam Khurana (Precious Shipping), Lars Gruenitz (Proteus Energy & Norstar Ship Management), Prantika Sengupta (SeaLead) and Akanksha Batura Pai (Sinoda Shipping Agency).​

Networking will be at its peak at the 19th edition of APM, as shipowners and shipyards from across Asia meet 800 global exhibitors across six halls at Marina Bay Sands. Long‑time partner The Indonesian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA) will again lead a delegation to engage global solution providers and industry leaders, while MASA, under its new 2026–2027 FASA chairmanship led by Mohamed Safwan Othman, will bring Malaysian shipowners to advance dialogue on decarbonisation, regulatory alignment and fleet competitiveness. In parallel, decision‑makers driving next‑generation shipbuilding from the Batam Shipyard and Offshore Association (BSOA) and Indonesia Shipbuilding & Offshore Association (IPERINDO) will head technical, design and procurement delegations.

As energy‑transition strategies mature, APM 2026 will move beyond talk to showcase practical solutions, with new product launches and live demonstrations of scalable, proven technologies. RUSTIBUS will debut its RUSTIBUS® Eco Series – the RUSTIBUS 2000 ECO and RUSTIBUS 1200 ECO – integrating dust and debris containment systems that capture rust scale, paint particles and contaminants at source; the electric, marine‑ready machines support cleaner onboard maintenance and reduced pollution, in line with tightening environmental rules. Nippon Paint Marine will unveil AQUATERRAS 1100, the latest in its AQUATERRAS range, recognised as the world’s first biocide‑free self‑polishing hull coating system, featuring a low‑VOC formulation and Advanced Fouling Control (AFC) silicone‑modified binder to deliver a smooth, glossy, biocide‑free surface that curbs fouling, boosts hull performance and supports long‑term efficiency.

Roxtec will present its new Cabinet Seal Platform (CSP) for high‑density cable applications in demanding marine settings, designed to simplify cable management while maintaining certified sealing and supporting increasingly digitalised, electrified vessel designs; a live demo will be held at stand F‑B05 on 26 March, 10:00–11:00. Korindo Energy will showcase its SCANIA E‑Machine, available in hybrid and fully electric configurations, enabling flexible vessel‑electrification pathways; live demonstrations at stand E‑K12 on 25 March, 12:00–15:00, will highlight its compact, modular electric drive and battery systems and how they integrate alongside combustion engines or as fully electric propulsion.​

Amid mounting decarbonisation targets, digital disruption and volatile trade flows, APM 2026 will serve as a key platform for shipowners, solution providers, industry leaders and institutions to shape the future of vessels – and the solutions that will power them.