The annual International Maritime Forum "Global Compass" will take place in Varna on September 3-4 / 2025, under the theme "Beyond Horizons: Advancing Maritime Innovation, Safety, and Responsibility."

Under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Mayor of Varna, and the Municipality of Varna.

"Thank you so much again for the kind invitation. It was an excellent and very enjoyable event. Everyone from the Bulgarian shipping community was very welcoming and friendly and Varna was very special and memorable too - especially the beautiful singing."

Simon Bennett,

International Chamber of Shipping

You can watch all Global Compass 2024 sessions and highlights here.

Discover What's Ahead at Global Compass 2024 – Watch the Preview!

What is "Global Compass" International Maritime Forum?

Welcome to the International Maritime Forum "Global Compass". Our Forum is a premier gathering of maritime professionals, academics, and industry leaders dedicated to shaping the future of the maritime industry. The Forum aims to do more than just present the current state, regulations, and innovations in maritime transport. It seeks to create a dynamic platform for connecting people from the business sector, international and national maritime administrations, and representatives of scientific and educational institutions. Join us at the International Maritime Forum "Global Compass" as we navigate towards a sustainable future for the maritime industry.

Our Venue

The opening of the Forum will be held at the Municipality of Varna.

Address: "Osmi Primorski Polk" № 43

Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel Guests can book a room directly from the website.
Address: 111 Knyaz Boris Blvd.

Sea Casino complex (The Pearl of Varna).

Address: Entrance of the Sea Garden, Primorski, Odessos

Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy.

Address: 73 "Vasil Drumev" Str.

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Restaurant La Veranda, part of the Horizon Complex, located in the Sea Garden. Address: Complex Horizont, Sea Garden

Horizon Complex includes restaurants, a nightclub, and a hotel. The stylish Boutique Hotel Horizont will offer accommodation for the forum's guests.

Four Panel Discussions:

I. MARITIME TECHNOLOGY

AI, IoT & Smart Maritime Systems
Autonomous Ships and Ports
Drone Technology in Maritime Operations
Green Shipping Tech & Decarbonisation
Cybersecurity for Ships and Ports

III. PORTS & TERMINALS

PSC, FSC, and Industry Standard Quality Assurance
Oil Spill Prevention and Response
Cargo Interests and Demands on Ports
Green Ports & Decarbonisation Initiatives
Smart Port Technologies & Digital Security
Multimodal Chains of Transport

II. GEO-POLITICAL & TRADE

Trade Wars and Political Conflicts
Sanctions, Tariffs & Surcharges
Law and Insurance Challenges
Shipping Market Cycles
Maritime Security

IV. CREW WELFARE

Abandonment & Legal Protections
Seafarers’ Physical and Mental Health
Human Rights and Harassment Prevention
Education, Certification & Future Skills
Piracy Threats and Crew Safety
Crew Communications: Cyber Threats and Cybercrime Insurance

About

Forum speakers

Andrew Roberts

RightShip, EMEA and Americas, Executive Director

Marcello Pica

Monaco Chamber of Shipping, Vice President; Marine Partners Monaco, President & CEO; Grimaldi Group, HR Director

Ivaylo Paskov

Bulgarian Shipmasters Association, Deputy Chairman; Navigation Maritime Bulgare, Senior Marine Superintendent

Nikolay Bedzhev

PhD, Marine Pilot, University Lecturer; NauticBlue, Owner

Thomas Wiker

Gallagher Marine Systems (GMS), President

Anna Carnielli

Propeller Club Port of Venice, President

Preslav Raykov

Eleen Marine JSC, Commercial Director & Head of Global Trading

Dimitar Karageorgiev

KRG Law, Attorney at Maritime Law

Engin Kocak

Turkish Shipbrokers Association, Ship Sale and Purchase Broker, Maritime Market Analyst

Richard Francke

MAN Energy Solutions, Sales Manager

Nick Markov

PhD, Head of Bulgarian Ship Hydrodynamics Centre

Georgi Dimitrov

Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Associated Professor, PhD

Guglielmo Camera

Camera & Vernetti Law Firm, Partner

Giuseppe De Francesco

Honorary Consul of Italy in Bulgaria, a specially honored forum guest and event attendee

Yavor Velchev

SHIPPOSSIBLE INSURANCE, Founder

George Parvanov

PhD, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, University Lecturer

Anders Ivarsson

Grimaldi/Atlantic Container Line, Managing Director

Stanislav Stoyanov

Bulgarian Shipmasters Association, Chairman; Navigation Maritime Bulgare, Deputy DPA

Deyan Dimitrov

PhD, Institute for the State and the Law - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Lecturer, Attorney at Law, Senior Assistant at New Bulgarian University (NBU)