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Overview

Join us for a seminar hosted by Lloyd's List Intelligence in partnership with Hong Kong Maritime Week, exploring the relationship between geopolitical shocks and the future of maritime trade.

As global tensions shape the international landscape, understanding their implications for maritime logistics is crucial for industry stakeholders. In this seminar, we will examine:

  • Ongoing conflicts and political shifts that influence maritime trade, discussing their impact on shipping lanes, port operations, and supply chains.
  • Strategies for mitigating risks associated with geopolitical instability, expert predictions on how trends are expected to reshape maritime trade by 2026.
  • Real-world case studies will highlight the effects of recent geopolitical events on naval operations.

We will discuss:

  • How is shadow fleet activity on sanctioned energy routes evolving, and what are the broader implications for global shipping markets?
  • In the face of tightening U.S. and EU sanctions on Iranian and Russian energy trade, how can trade finance institutions and shipping companies better navigate the associated risks?
  • What impact will surging U.S. tariffs and new USTR port fees have on global trade dynamics and shipping flows?
  • To what extent will geopolitical disruptions slow down or derail the shipping industry’s decarbonization agenda?
  • Amid rising geopolitical uncertainty, how can Hong Kong consolidate and strengthen its position as Asia’s leading trade and shipping hub?

Who should attend?

Designed for shipping executives, risk managers, trade finance professionals, compliance managers and policymakers, this seminar provides an opportunity to engage with experts, network with peers, and gain insights to prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead in 2026 and beyond.

**Due to limited capacity, please fill out the form below to secure your attendance. We will contact you shortly to confirm your participation.


Flow

09:00am: Coffee and registration

09:30am: Welcome note

09:45am:

  • Presentation
  • Panel Discussion
  • Q&A

11:45am - Networking food and drinks

Register your details below

Speakers

Jacques Ling
Asia Head of Core Trade J.P.Morgan

Jacques Ling is Asia Head of Core Trade at J.P. Morgan, overseeing trade finance strategy and solutions across Asia Pacific. With over 20 years’ banking experience, he has held senior roles at leading global banks and contributes actively to industry forums, including the Hong Kong International Chamber of Commerce. He holds an MBA from the University of Leeds, UK.

Ioannis Stefanou
Managing Director, Ship Management, Wallem Group

Ioannis Stefanou is Managing Director of Ship Management at Wallem Group, where he has overseen ship operations and technical services since 2014. He has extensive experience with leading ship management companies and private operators, focusing on strategy, product innovation, and the integration of new technologies. Ioannis holds Master’s degrees in Marine Technology and Technical Management of Ship Operations, and is a Chartered Engineer with the UK Engineering Council.


Hing Chao
Executive Chairman, Wah Kwong Maritime Transport

Hing Chao is Executive Chairman of Wah Kwong Maritime Transport and Co-founder and Chairman of the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping. He serves as a Board Director of the Global Maritime Forum, Chairman of the Bureau Veritas Global Marine and Offshore Advisory Council, and Chairman of RINA’s Asia Decarbonisation Committee. He is a trustee of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Honorary President of the Institute of Seatransport, and a member of both the Port Welfare Committee of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Committee of Nippon Kaiji Kyokai.


Benjamin Kostrzewa
International Trade & Geopolitical Risk Expert

Benjamin Kostrzewa is based in Hong Kong, advising clients on international trade, cross-border compliance, and geopolitical risk across the Asia-Pacific region. He previously served as Assistant General Counsel at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), focusing on U.S.–China issues, WTO disputes, and free trade negotiations. With deep expertise in Greater China, he supports global clients on export controls, sanctions, tariffs, and customs matters, and regularly represents them before international trade and regulatory bodies. A graduate of Peking University in Chinese law, Benjamin is also a frequent speaker at global trade forums and a contributor to leading media outlets including the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg.


Cichen Shen
Editor, APAC, Lloyd's List

Cichen leads the Lloyd’s List APAC editorial team. His reports covers a wide range of maritime sectors, including freight markets, ship finance, decarbonization and sanctions. He also represents Lloyd’s List Intelligence at various industry conferences as a moderator and presenter. Previously Lloyd's List's China Editor, Cichen is a consistent provider of first-hand news and insights about the country’s fast-changing maritime industry and its influence on world trading patterns.


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