10th Mare Forum Istanbul 2026: Esenyel & Partners Leaves Its Mark on the Future of the Global Maritime Industry

As one of the most prestigious meeting points of the global maritime industry, Mare Forum opened its doors in Istanbul for the 10th time this year, taking the pulse of the international maritime ecosystem. At the 10th Mare Forum Istanbul 2026, where the past, present, and future of the industry were thoroughly discussed, Att. Selçuk Esenyel, Founding Partner of Esenyel & Partners, assumed the role of Conference Chairman and led this monumental summit.

Strong Partnerships and a Global Vision

Emphasizing Turkey’s strategic position in the maritime field once again, this significant organization was realized in collaboration with GISBIR (Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association). Bringing together numerous local and foreign shipowners, shipbuilders, financiers, legal professionals, and bureaucrats on a single platform, the forum created a unique space for synergy and knowledge sharing for all stakeholders within the maritime ecosystem.

Critical Topics Shaping the Future of Maritime

The rapid transformation process currently underway in the maritime transport and shipbuilding sectors constituted the main agenda of the forum. In comprehensive panels and sessions, the following vital issues that will determine the course of the industry were evaluated in depth:

• Shifts in Global Trade Routes: Emerging trends in world trade and the restructuring of global supply chains.
• The Impact of Sanctions on Maritime Transport: Increasingly complex international legal regulations and the operational challenges faced by shipowners.
• Next-Generation Financing Models: Sustainable and innovative financial solutions designed to meet the sector’s massive investment requirements.
• Energy Security and Green Transition: Zero-carbon goals in shipping, alternative fuels, and the transition process toward eco-friendly marine technologies.
• The Global Competitiveness of the Turkish Maritime Sector: Strategies to carry Turkey’s robust position in shipbuilding and maritime transport into the future.

Not Just an Economic, but a Geopolitical and Strategic Transformation

Taking an active and guiding role in the organization as the Conference Chairman, Att. Selçuk Esenyel, Founding Partner of Esenyel & Partners, drew attention to the turning point the maritime industry is currently experiencing during his opening and moderation speeches.

Att. Selçuk Esenyel stated that the industry cannot be limited solely to numbers and commercial volumes; he emphasized that the sector is going through a transformation process that is not only economic but also geopolitical and strategic. This visionary perspective once again highlighted the critical role of legal and strategic consultancy in maritime operations.

Acknowledgments and Looking Ahead

As the Esenyel & Partners family, we are deeply proud and delighted to be a part of such a prestigious organization that brought the international maritime community together in Istanbul, and to be represented at the level of the conference chairmanship.

We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to Mr. Ioannis Kostoulas, President of Mare Forum, the entire Mare Forum team, and our esteemed partner GISBIR for their vision and efforts in bringing this flawless summit to life.

As Esenyel & Partners, leveraging our extensive knowledge and global network, we will continue to stand at the forefront of such visionary events that contribute to the growth of the Turkish maritime sector, the strengthening of its legal infrastructure, and the enhancement of its competitive power in the international arena.