Rome, Italy. Shipping leaders at the International Chamber of Shipping summit in Rome this week called for stronger cooperation across the maritime sector, as industry figures said major challenges cannot be addressed by individual organisations acting alone.
Call for partnerships
WISTA International president Elpi Petraki said after attending the Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit in Rome that the discussions reinforced her long-held view that the industry’s challenges cannot be addressed in isolation.
“The challenges facing our industry cannot be addressed by any one organisation acting alone,” she said in a post on her personal platform.
Summit focus
The event, held under the title “Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit 2026 – Forging Partnerships for Resilience,” brought together senior figures from shipping, government and international organisations.
The summit took place as global trade faces geopolitical tension, regulatory pressure, cybersecurity risks and the energy transition.
ICS leadership change
Petraki said the same message was reflected in the closing remarks of John Denholm CBE, who has just been elected chairman of the ICS.
“This message was echoed in the closing remarks by the new ICS Chairman, John Denholm CBE, who spoke about the importance of partnerships and deliberate investment in strengthening resilience in an increasingly uncertain world,” Petraki said.
Denholm’s appointment was announced during the ICS annual general meeting in Rome, where he succeeded Emanuele Grimaldi, who had served as chairman since June 2022.
Risks facing the sector
His election comes as the ICS places renewed emphasis on cooperation between governments, shipowners, regulators and the wider supply chain, particularly as shipping faces a more fragmented and unpredictable operating environment.
The concern was also reflected in the ICS Maritime Barometer report, launched in Rome, which identified geopolitical instability as the leading risk shaping global shipping.
According to the ICS, industry leaders are increasingly concerned about security risks, changing trade patterns, cybersecurity, regulatory fragmentation and the pace of decarbonisation.
