25th Anniversary of the Maritime Economy Forum on the 100th Anniversary of Gdynia

"European Union Maritime Policy"

The 25th anniversary edition of the Gdynia Maritime Economy Forum  will take place on 9 October 2026. Speakers participating in six thematic panels will present the current situation across various sectors of the maritime economy and provide an analysis of the challenges facing the industry, including those arising from the current geopolitical environment.

Panelists will seek to present the current state of the entire maritime sector, while also identifying future development directions and the challenges ahead. Over the years, FGM has built a strong position based on the experience and extensive domestic and international networks of its leaders and organizers. This foundation has enabled the Forum to grow into Poland’s largest gathering of maritime economy companies and representatives of industry organizations, providing a platform for expressing opinions, needs, and expectations. The key to its success has been a continuously evolving format tailored to participants’ needs, while remaining faithful to its core principle of “business for business.”

This year’s special guests will include Christophe Tytgat, Secretary General of SEA Europe, and Étienne de Poncins, France's Ambassador to Poland.

“Gdynia was born from the sea and from the courage to look beyond the horizon. In the year marking the 100th anniversary of our city, we can clearly see that the maritime economy has been the driving force behind Gdynia’s development from the very beginning and its gateway to the world. For this reason, I am particularly pleased that the 25th anniversary edition of the Maritime Economy Forum will take place here – in a city that for a century has symbolized modern thinking about Poland’s maritime future. This is a unique opportunity to discuss not only today’s challenges, but also the future of an industry that has strengthened Poland’s position and presence at sea for decades.”

Aleksandra Kosiorek, Mayor of Gdynia

Like previous years, the Forum will be structured around six main thematic areas:

1. Shipbuilding Industry
2. Seaports
3. Maritime Logistics
4. Renewable Energy
5. Business in Sailing
6. Cybersecurity and Autonomous Shipping

The shipbuilding industry panel will focus on projects currently being implemented in Poland, as well as domestic proposals for changes to the settlement mechanisms of the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), with the aim of benefiting the shipbuilding sector.

The panel dedicated to Polish seaports will once again be of particular interest. Polish ports generate substantial revenues for the national budget, exceeding PLN 50 billion annually in recent years. This year’s discussion will focus on ongoing port investments and whether they adequately address the needs arising from rapidly changing conditions in international markets.

Maritime logistics, closely linked to port operations and supply chain management, will examine the sector’s role as a creator of stability in an era of turbulence in the global economy and disruptions to international supply chains. Topics will include the impact of the Persian Gulf crisis on trade, transport, and logistics; operational management during times of crisis; strategies for building resilience among logistics companies and supply chains; and the effectiveness of these approaches.

Renewable energy remains a highly relevant topic. This year, the discussion will focus on nuclear energy and the opportunities and risks associated with its planned development in Poland. Solutions implemented in France and Finland will serve as reference examples.

For several years, FGM has also featured a panel dedicated to the sailing industry. Poland is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of yachts and recreational boats, supplied to customers that include some of the most renowned figures in sport and entertainment. This year’s discussion will explore the strategic links between the maritime economy, sailing, and the development of sport.

The cybersecurity and autonomous shipping panel will examine how modern cyberattacks can interfere with navigational data and influence decision-making on the bridge. The discussion will provide a practical overview of incidents, from unauthorized access through IT systems and manipulation of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and AIS (Automatic Identification System) data, to situations where digital interference affects the actual course of a vessel. Against this backdrop, panelists will discuss the requirements of the amended National Cybersecurity System Act and the IACS UR E26/E27 Unified Requirements, which together establish a comprehensive framework for building resilience within IT and OT environments.