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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

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

Propeller Day 2025 – Celebrating Maritime Partnerships

On September 5th, Propeller Day will honor the strong and lasting ties between Bulgaria and Italy, highlighting the maritime industry’s vital role in fostering economic and cultural cooperation. With the collaboration of the Bulgarian Shipmasters' Association (BSMA), the event will bring together maritime professionals, industry leaders, and esteemed guests to explore future opportunities for cooperation. Further details about the event are available here.

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

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

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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

Restaurant La Veranda

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

 

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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

Speakers & Participants

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Andrew Roberts

RightShip, EMEA and Americas, Executive Director

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Agustin Martin Mallofre

Professor at the Barcelona Faculty of Nautical Studies

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Marcello Pica

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

Stanislav Stoyanov

Stanislav Stoyanov

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

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Yavor Velchev

SHIPPOSSIBLE INSURANCE, Founder


 

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Georgi Dimitrov

Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Associated Professor, PhD

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Alessandro Geretto

President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria

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Engin Kocak

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

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Propeller Club Port of Venice, President

 

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Dimitar Dimitrov

PhD, Confederation of European Shipmasters’ Associations (CESMA), President

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Nick Markov

PhD, Head of Bulgarian Ship Hydrodynamics Centre

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George Parvanov

PhD, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, University Lecturer

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Manolis Nikolaidis

PhD, Secretary of Nautical Institute - Greece

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Armand Arton

 Arton Capital, Founder and President

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Giuseppe De Francesco

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

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Ivaylo Paskov

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

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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)

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Ali Abouda

CFO at Gulf Navigation Holdings

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Guglielmo Camera

Camera & Vernetti Law Firm, Partner

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Miguel Castro

European Maritime Pilots Association (EMPA), President

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Preslav Raykov

Eleen Marine JSC, Commercial Director & Head of Global Trading

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Dimitar Stoynov

PhD, Cultural Activities Advisor, Consular Correspondent of the Republic of Italy 
Honored forum guest

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Jordan Taylor

Maritime Professional & Fulbright Recipient, Founder of Project Harrison

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Anders Ivarsson

Grimaldi/Atlantic Container Line, Managing Director


 

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Yavor Kolev

Director of IT and Cyber Security at Lev Ins Insurance Company

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Stanislav Mateev

Operations Manager at Cargill, Varna

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Nikolay Bedzhev

PhD, Marine Pilot, University Lecturer; NauticBlue, Owner

 

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Thomas Wiker

Gallagher Marine Systems (GMS), President

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Luciano Crapanzano

Grimaldi/Atlantic Container Line, DPA and Technical and Marine Director

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Valentina Todorova

Director of the Institute of Oceanology "Prof. Fridtjof Nansen" – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

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Viktor Dukov

Founder and CEO of SeAI

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Dimitar Karageorgiev

KRG Law, Attorney at Maritime Law

* Subject to change by the organisers.

Product

Organisers

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Forum Participants:

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Sponsorship / Event Contributors

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Register

Participation
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