17th Hydra Shipping Conference

The green transition, energy and geopolitics in focus

The 17th Hydra Shipping Conference, titled “From Hydra to the World’s Oceans: Shipping Amid the Thucydides Trap”, was held on Saturday 5 September, bringing together discussions on energy, geopolitics, technology and the human dimension of shipping.

Organised by the Fraternity of Hydriots of Athens, the conference highlighted the island’s enduring relationship with the sea and the role of Greek shipping at a time when international tensions, energy security and new environmental requirements are directly affecting maritime transport. The Fraternity’s President, John Sachinis, opened the conference by referring to Hydra’s maritime heritage and to the importance of strengthening the Greek flag, the shipbuilding and ship-repair sector, and young people’s connection with the maritime profession.

EENMA on the transition of shipping

The presence of the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association (EENMA), a Corporate Member of Komvos, was particularly significant. Its President, Charalambos Simantonis, who also serves as President of the European Shortsea Network, highlighted the impact of the conflicts in the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz on maritime transport.

Referring to the green transition, he stressed the need for EU ETS revenues to be directed towards financing new vessels and cleaner technologies. This is particularly critical for coastal shipping and short sea shipping, where fleet renewal, the availability of new fuels and the adaptation of port infrastructure require coordinated solutions.

Contributions by Marie-Athena Papathanasiou and Costis Stambolis

Marie-Athena Papathanasiou, a Corresponding Member of Komvos and Research Fellow at IENE, took part in the session on applications of nuclear energy in commercial shipping. The discussion examined the potential of fourth-generation Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a possible future energy option for vessels with high energy requirements. She noted that the use of nuclear energy presupposes an appropriate legal, insurance and regulatory framework.

Costis Stambolis, also a Corresponding Member of Komvos and Chairman and Executive Director of IENE, moderated the session on geopolitical uncertainty and the crises in Iran and Ukraine. His contribution highlighted how developments in the Middle East and Ukraine affect the availability of oil and natural gas, fuel prices, inflation and, consequently, the strategic choices facing shipping.

A shared field of action for Komvos

The conference themes are directly aligned with Komvos’s maritime action on the green transition of coastal and short sea shipping. By connecting business experience, research knowledge and institutional dialogue, Komvos seeks to contribute to realistic proposals for fleets, ports, financing, new technologies and skills.

The participation of Komvos members in the Hydra conference confirms the value of these collaborative networks at a time that calls for long-term thinking and immediate action.

A continuing presence

This year’s participation follows the involvement of Komvos members in the 16th Hydra Shipping Conference, held in September 2025 under the theme “Confrontations and Geopolitics in Shipping: Are They Changing the Rules of the Game?”. Charalambos Antoniou, George Prevelakis and Costis Stambolis contributed to that event, while Maria-Athena Papathanasiou presented research on the role of nuclear energy in the energy transition of commercial shipping. This continuity reflects Komvos’s sustained interest in the issues shaping the future of Greek and international shipping.