Smart Maritime Network Athens Conference
18 March 2026
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The SMN Vision
Smart Maritime Network Athens 2026: Driving Digital Transformation, Compliance, and Innovation
Join us on 18 March at Ble Pavillon for Smart Maritime Network Athens 2026 - a dynamic one-day forum exploring how digitalisation, regulation, and innovation are shaping the future of Greek and global shipping. Designed for forward-thinking maritime professionals, this event delivers practical insights and expert perspectives on how technology is driving real-world change across the industry.
Gain fresh perspectives through four high-impact panels:
FROM DIGITAL PROJECTS TO BUSINESS RESULTS - PROVING ROI IN SHIPPING TECH
Companies large and small have invested in digital solutions. This session drills into how executives are proving real business value to boards and P&L owners.
AI IN OPERATIONS - FROM PILOTS TO PRODUCTION
AI is moving beyond proof-of-concepts. This panel showcases real uses of AI in operations, planning and maintenance and addresses how to move from experimentation to mainstream.
FLEET PERFORMANCE IN PRACTICE - OPTIMISATION, BENCHMARKING AND BETTER DECISIONS
With benchmarking and performance measurement on many delegates’ minds, this session dives into how real teams are using data to drive vessel performance improvements.
PEOPLE IMPACT, REMOTE OPERATIONS AND CYBER RESILIENCE
A session uniting operational control models, people impact and cyber risk management in connected maritime operations.
For more details please contact: cathy.hodge@smartmaritimenetwork.com
Conference Sponsors
Supporting collaboration in the maritime technology sector
Smart Maritime Conferences Global Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Supporting Partner
Supporting Association
With an expert line up ready to share their knowledge and experience:
- Yannis Triphyllis, Board of Directors, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping
- Nicolas A. Vernicos, Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Andreas Polidis, IT Advisor, IONIC
- Angelica Kemene, Head of Market, Climate & ESG Strategy, Optima Shipping Services
- Anna Holm Gjeraker, Head of Strategy and Operations, CEATAEC/Wilhelmsen Group
- Cathy Hodge, COO, Smart Maritime Network
- Christiana Aristidou, Founder and Managing Partner, The Hybrid LawTech Firm
- Dimitris Marinis, Information Technology Manager, Angelakos (Hellas) S.A.
- Dr. Joanna-Eugenia Bakouni, Learning & Development Manager – Maritime, Maersk Training
- Dr. Matthew Maheras, CIO, Metrostar Management & President, AMMITEC
- Eleanna Apostolidi, Global Head of Client Enablement, Lloyd’s Register
- Ewan Robinson, OT Cyber Security Senior Manager, MSC Cruises
- Ioannis Rizos, Head of ICT Infrastructure, Dynagas Ltd.
- Jose Milhazes, Business Process Innovation Manager, GasLog Ltd.
- Katerina Raptaki, Digital Transformation, Cyber Security and e-Governance specialist, Navios Group of Companies
- Klavdia Chatzikonstantinou, PMO Manager, Chandris Hellas
- Nick Andriopoulos, IT Manager, Heidmar
- Nikolaos Tsoulakos, Innovation & Technology Manager, Laskaridis Shipping Co. LTD
- Olivia Northrop, AI Solutions Architect, ABS Consulting
- Peter Broadhurst, Senior Digital Transformation Consultant, Lloyd’s Register
- Rob O’Dwyer, Chief Network Officer, Smart Maritime Network (SMN)
- Shawn Whiteside, Executive Director, Maritime Transportation System Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MTS-ISAC)
- Theodoros Tserpelis, Digital Transformation Planning Manager, TMS Group
- Tor Anders Høksås, Business Dev & Innovation Manager, Inmarsat Maritime
- Violetta Matzoros, Senior Technical Manager, Digitalisation & Decarbonisation, Smart Freight Centre
Learning
Learn from our expert speakers and get up to date on the latest technology developments.
Sharing
Share ideas on how to transform the shipping business using digital technologies.
Networking
Reconnect with your peers in the maritime IT sector and make new contacts to benefit your business.
Conference Agenda // 18 March 2026
Registration and Welcome Refreshments 0900
Introduction & Welcome from Smart Maritime Network 1000Short scene-setting, reflecting the pre-event delegate survey results and the agenda design. Highlighting the day’s focus on measurable outcomes, operational deployment of technology and people-centric digital change.
Cathy Hodge, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Maritime Network
Dr. Matthew Maheras, CIO - Metrostar Management / President - AMMITEC 1005Opening Notes from Conference Chair
Framing the broader Greek shipping context: commercial pressures, regulatory compliance, and the drive for operational excellence in fleet digitalisation.
Yannis Triphyllis, Board of Directors, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping 1020Keynote Welcome fro the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping
Nicolas A. Vernicos, Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry 1030Keynote Welcome Address
Panel Discussion / FROM DIGITAL PROJECTS TO BUSINESS RESULTS - PROVING ROI IN SHIPPING TECH 1040Companies large and small have invested in digital solutions. This session drills into how executives are proving real business value to boards and P&L owners.
What you will hear
• Practical examples of how digital programmes have delivered tangible ROI
• How owners prioritise investments against opex/fuel/emissions
• Avoiding costly pilots that never scale
• Planning for integration, governance and lifecycle value
Key takeaways
• What distinguishes a digital initiative that delivers value from one that doesn’t
• Scorecards and frameworks for evaluating digital performance
• Governance models proven in real fleets
Hosted by: Eleanna Apostolidi, Global Head of Client Enablement, Lloyd’s Register
Panellists include:
Klavdia Chatzikonstantinou, PMO Manager, Chandris Hellas
Nikolaos Tsoulakos, Innovation & Technology Manager, Laskaridis Shipping Co. LTD
Theodoros Tserpelis, Digital Transformation Planning Manager, TMS Group- Download Peter Broadhurst’s opening panel presentation on Digital Maturity in Maritime here.
- Panel Discussion / AI IN OPERATIONS - FROM PILOTS TO PRODUCTION 1135
AI is moving beyond proof-of-concepts. This panel showcases real uses of AI in operations, planning and maintenance and addresses how to move from experimentation to mainstream.
What you will hear
• Productive uses of AI in voyage optimisation, performance analytics and planning
• Overcoming data quality and integration challenges
• Human-in-the-loop issues versus fully automated deployment
• What’s working and what’s next
Key takeaways
• How to structure AI deployment roadmaps
• Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Lessons from early adopters
Hosted by: Dimitris Marinis, Information Technology Manager, Angelakos (Hellas) S.A.
Panellists include:
Ioannis Rizos, Head of ICT Infrastructure, Dynagas Ltd.
Katerina Raptaki, Digital Transformation, Cyber Security and e-Governance specialist, Navios Group of Companies
Nick Andriopoulos, IT Manager, Heidmar
Olivia Northrop, AI Solutions Architect, ABS Consulting - Download the 'Data Security Playbook for AI Applications' discussed by Dimitris Marinis here.
Lunch Break 1230Lunch and an opportunity for our delegates to tour our Partners’ Technology Display Zones and learn how they are working towards a smarter, better connected future of shipping.
Roundtable Discussion Groups – Hosted by our Partners 1345Delegates are invited to choose the roundtable that will most benefit them. These are informal discussion groups, hosted by our partners. The table host will lead the conversation and invite participants to contribute through questions or insights. The table host will share a summary at the end of the discussion. At the allocated time, simply move to the table of your choice, no sign up required. There will be a maximum of 10 tables to choose from and you are welcome on whichever one you wish to join!
Tea/Coffee Break - Technology Display Zone 1500
Panel Discussion / FLEET PERFORMANCE IN PRACTICE - OPTIMISATION, BENCHMARKING AND BETTER DECISIONS 1530With benchmarking and performance measurement on many delegates’ minds, this session dives into how real teams are using data to drive vessel performance improvements.
What you will hear
• What gets measured gets managed: performance KPIs that matter
• Benchmarking tools and methodologies owners use today
• Turning analytics into operational action
• Case studies of performance gains (fuel, emissions, reliability)
Key takeaways
• Effective ways to benchmark across mixed fleets
• Tools that have proven operational impact
• How to close the loop between data and decision
Hosted by: Rob O’Dwyer, Chief Network Officer, Smart Maritime Network
Panellists include:
Anna Holm Gjeraker, Head of Strategy and Operations, CEATAEC/Wilhelmsen Group
Angelica Kemene, Head of Market, Climate & ESG Strategy, Optima Shipping Services
Jose Milhazes, Business Process Innovation Manager, GasLog Ltd.
Tor Anders Høksås, Business Development & Innovation Manager, Inmarsat Maritime
Violetta Matzoros, Senior Technical Manager, Digitalisation & Decarbonisation, Smart Freight Centre
Panel Discussion / PEOPLE IMPACT, REMOTE OPERATIONS AND CYBER RESILIENCE 1630A session uniting operational control models, people impact and cyber risk management in connected maritime operations.
What you will hear
• Designing remote operating centres and integrating with traditional crews
• Skills, change management and organisational readiness
• Cybersecurity as operational risk - not just IT risk
• What resilience means in practice
• The role of leadership in driving operational change
Key takeaways
• How organisations design shore–ship interfaces
• Insights into training, culture, and change
• What owners are doing about cyber hygiene and incident response
Hosted by: Andreas Polidis, IT Advisor, IONIC
Panellists include:
Dr. Joanna-Eugenia Bakouni, Learning & Development Manager – Maritime, Maersk Training
Ewan Robinson, OT Cyber Security Senior Manager, MSC Cruises
Shawn Whiteside, Executive Director, Maritime Transportation System Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MTS-ISAC)
Conclusions, followed by the SMN Athens Oceanside Party 1730Summary of conference followed by the SMN Athens Oceanside Party
PHOTO GALLERY
MARITIME DIGITALISATION ADVISORS
International experts covering a range of maritime digitalisation technologies will be on hand at the Smart Maritime Network Athens Conference, ready to discuss how your company can leverage its data to improve processes and drive efficiency in an increasingly connected market
Conference Sponsors
Supporting collaboration in the maritime technology sector
Smart Maritime Conferences Global Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Supporting Partner
Supporting Association
Venue
Ble Pavillon
Leof. Poseidonos 70,
Alimos 174 55,
Greece
Registration
Shipping Company VIP Pass
€ 0
- Free conference registration for qualifying vessel operators (includes ship owners, ship managers, ship builders, ports & terminals, and selected stakeholders - subject to confirmation by the organisers).
Conference Delegate Pass
€ 645
- Delegate pass for admission to all conference sessions, coffee breaks, lunch and the evening Networking Party. (Discounts are available for multiple delegate bookings)