On May 21, 2025, maritime leaders and visionaries gathered at the Crowne Plaza Istanbul for the 9th Mare Forum Istanbul, a premier international maritime strategy conference held under the theme “Challenges, Opportunities, Priorities, and Goals in 2025, 2030 and Beyond.” This year's edition offered a bold and open forum for dynamic dialogue, bringing together high-level stakeholders to shape the future of shipping, shipbuilding, and energy transitions within the global and Turkish maritime sector.
Marlon Kerim Weinstabl, Deputy CEO of Atlantis Tankers Group and Armona Denizcilik and President of the Young Turkish Shipowners Association, joined a distinguished lineup of panellists in Session 5 titled “The Turkish Shipowner's Views on Fleet Growth and Future Strategies.” In an insightful discussion moderated by Rona Kaspi (Senior Partner, AKT Law Firm), Weinstabl shared his perspectives on sustainable fleet modernization, the need for integrated investments in innovation, and the strategic role Turkey can play in the evolving global maritime economy. His remarks emphasized aligning long-term growth with ESG imperatives and adapting to future regulations through proactive collaboration between shipowners, regulators, and technical managers.
The forum's multi-session structure delved into timely and complex themes such as decarbonisation, green corridors, ship financing, digitalization, and Turkey's evolving role as a strategic maritime hub. Key topics included maritime energy transitions, technological advancements in shipbuilding, and the competitiveness of Turkish shipyards on the global stage. The format, renowned for its interactive style, facilitated robust exchanges among shipowners, investors, classification societies, legal experts, shipbuilders, and government stakeholders, bypassing traditional presentations for engaging debates.
Hosted by Mare Forum President Ioannis Kostoulas, the event featured top leaders from the Turkish Chamber of Shipping, Turkish Shipowners' Association, GISBIR, and numerous global and regional maritime enterprises. Over 45 speakers and panellists contributed to the vibrant atmosphere of innovation, reflection, and forward-thinking collaboration. Session highlights included practical strategies for ship finance, speculative shipbuilding, and enhancing Turkey's short-sea shipping contributions within Europe.
Atlantis Tankers Group and Armona Denizcilik's participation—led by Weinstabl in his dual capacity as Deputy CEO and President of the Young Turkish Shipowners Association—at this year's Mare Forum underscores their commitment to shaping industry discourse and contributing to Turkey's rise as a resilient, innovative, and green maritime powerhouse. As the sector looks toward 2030 and beyond, such platforms remain vital in forging partnerships, identifying actionable pathways, and aligning vision with tangible impact.
