The 5th Trading in U.S. Waters Seminar: U.S. and Greek Approaches to Today’s Maritime Challenges, took place on Thursday, June 4, 2026 – during Posidonia Week – reaffirmed its position as an important maritime industry gathering, attracting an exceptionally large number of participants from the Greek and the global shipping community.
The American – Hellenic Chamber of Commerce proudly organize this seminar, every two years-during Posidonia, along with the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Athens, and with the support of the International Propeller Club and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping.
By bringing together shipowners, operators, maritime service providers, industry stakeholders and representatives from the governmental and diplomatic community, this event served as a key platform for discussing the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities shaping the shipping sector.
The Shark Tank Event – a SHIPPINGInsight initiative – which was successfully launched during Posidonia 2022 to introduce innovative U.S. technologies to the Posidonia audience, was once again integrated into this year’s seminar agenda, further strengthening its role as a dynamic and interactive highlight of the program and an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their work and receive instant feedback.
Opening Remarks session
Elias Spirtounias | Executive Director, American – Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, John D. Saracakis | President, American – Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, Seminar Moderator: Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder/CEO, North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), Chief Evolution Officer, SHIPPINGInsight and Fmr. IMO Maritime Ambassador, Yuri Arthur | Commercial Counselor, U.S. Embassy, Athens, Joe Hughes | Chairman, NAMEPA, Board Member, American P&I Club and Costis Frangoulis |President, International Propeller Club
The 5th Trading in U.S. Waters Seminar opened with a discussion among representatives of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Embassy in Athens, NAMEPA, and the International Propeller Club, who shared their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the maritime industry. Looking ahead, speakers reflected on how innovation, digitalization, and stronger partnerships will continue to shape the maritime sector in the years to come, setting the stage for a day of insightful discussions on the future of global shipping.
Discussion: Trading Smart in U.S. Waters: Compliance, Cost and Competitive Edge
Matthew Thomas | Partner, International Trade Maritime, Blank Rome Law Firm, Dana Merkel | Partner, Maritime, Blank Rome Law Firm, Seminar Moderator: Carleen Lyden Walker, Sydney Plante | Acting Associate Administrator for Strategic Engagement at the Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S. Department of Transportation, Aristidis Kourkoumelis | Assistant Secretary, Trade & Economic Security, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The first discussion examined the evolving regulatory and operational landscape facing companies trading in U.S. waters. The discussion provided valuable insights into how shipping companies can successfully navigate a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape while maintaining operational resilience and competitive advantage.
Session 1: Safeguarding Global Trade Amid Geopolitical Risk
Thanos Dokos | National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, Daniel Tadros | Chief Operating Officer, The American P&I Club, Robert Obayda | Chief of Staff to the CEO, Davie Shipbuilding and Former Director of Maritime Industrial Policy, White House National Security Council, Stratos Desypris | Chief Operating Officer, Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and Mariniki Psifia | ALBA Visiting Faculty – Economist, Head Shipping Market Analyst, Latsco Marine Management
The session explored the increasingly close relationship between maritime security, energy security, economic resilience, and national security. A key takeaway was that resilience can no longer be viewed solely through an operational lens. In today’s environment, it requires strategic planning, international collaboration, and the ability to adapt to evolving geopolitical and market realities.
Session 2: Navigating the Future: AI in Global Shipping
Joshua Divin | Senior Vice President, Marine Business Development, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Maria Kolitsida | Founder and CEO, Signal Fusion and George Kokosalakis | Executive Director, Center of Excellence in Shipping, Logistics & Energy, Associate Professor, School of Business and Economics, Deree
In this session the speakers elucidated on how artificial intelligence is moving from experimentation to practical application across the maritime industry. A key takeaway from the discussion was that the success of AI will not be determined solely by technological capability, but by the industry’s ability to integrate these solutions in ways that support people, strengthen decision-making, and deliver tangible business outcomes.
Session 3: Optimizing Energy in Shipping: Technologies, Efficiency, and the Path Ahead
Sydney Plante | Acting Associate Administrator for Strategic Engagement at the Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S. Department of Transportation, The Honorable Sang H. Yi | President and CEO, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), Themis Vagiakos | Director, Global Sustainability, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Cynthia Hudson | President, Shoreline Hudson, Kirk Kaiser | Chief Technical Officer, Airglide AI
This part of the seminar asked one of the most important questions facing the maritime industry today: how to advance the energy transition while maintaining competitiveness, efficiency, and operational resilience. The discussion underscored both the progress already being made and the work that remains ahead as the maritime industry navigates a responsible and sustainable path toward its future.
The keynote address by Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, highlighted the strategic role of shipping in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world. The address served as a timely reminder that shipping remains not only a pillar of the Greek economy, but also a critical component of global stability and growth.
Discussion: Strategic Collaboration Agreement
Panos Xenokostas | Founder & President, ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Group, President, Hellenic Shipyards Association and Georgios Plevrakis | Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanwha
The discussion between ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Group and Hanwha highlighted the growing strategic importance of international industrial partnerships in the maritime sector. Speakers explored how collaboration between leading organizations can support the modernization of shipbuilding capabilities, drive innovation, and create long-term value.
SHIPPINGInsight’s SHARK TANK: A Competition of Innovative U.S. Maritime Technologies
The Sharks and the Presenting U.S. Firms
The Sharks: Marina Hadjipateras | Founder and General Partner, TMV, Semiramis Paliou | CEO, Diana Shipping Inc., Kimberly Guilfoyle | U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, U.S. Embassy Athens, Danae Bezantakou | 1st Vice President, The International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus & CEO, Navigator Shipping Consultants, Stephen Schueler | Managing Director, European Maritime Finance, Chairman, Enerjen Capital, George Alexandratos | President, Hellenic Chamber of Shipping
The Presenting U.S. Firms: Miles Keeney-Ritchie | Founder and CEO, Aloft Systems, Anastasija Kuprijanova | Director of Business Development, Carbon Ridge, Sidney McLaurin | Founder and CEO, Fleet Robotics, Hans Olson | Director of Business Development, Quartermaster AI, Sean Simons | CCO & Co-Founder, Robot Toolworx and Matthew Ezekiel Riley | CEO and Co-Founder, Sidonia
One of the highlights of the 5th Trading in U.S. Waters Seminar was the return of the SHIPPINGInsight Shark Tank, bringing together innovative U.S. maritime technology companies and a distinguished panel of industry leaders to explore the future of shipping. The session featured the participation of U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic Kimberly Guilfoyle, alongside leading representatives from the Greek and international maritime community, who evaluated innovative solutions addressing key industry challenges related to efficiency, sustainability, automation, safety, and operational performance. By connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and maritime executives, the Shark Tank showcased the important role that innovation and cross-sector collaboration play in advancing the maritime industry. The discussion highlighted how emerging technologies are helping shape a more competitive, resilient, and sustainable future for global shipping. The future of maritime innovation is being driven not only by established industry leaders, but also by the next generation of companies bringing new ideas and technologies to the market.
U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle offered the Shark Tank competition award to Anastasija Kuprijanova of Carbon Ridge, a United States based developer of carbon capture & storage solutions for the Maritime industry, for the Onboard Carbon Capture & Storage (“OCCS”) solution provides a lowcost and near-term solution to significantly reduce the intensity of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) onboard large maritime vessels.
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