A group of prominent figures and decision-makers from the maritime sector across various Middle Eastern and East Mediterranean countries participated in the East Mediterranean Maritime Conference (EMMC 2025), held in Athens, the Greek capital. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of Greece was also represented by His Excellency Deputy Minister/ Stefanos Gkikas. The conference was organized by Rabann Alsafina, a leading media platform covering maritime affairs in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Captain/ Haitham Shaaban, CEO of Rabann Alsafina, opened the conference by thanking the supporters who contributed to its success. He expressed his gratitude for hosting the second edition of the EMMC in Athens. He highlighted the remarkable success of the first edition, which took place in Beirut in 2019, affirming the organizer’s commitment to fostering constructive dialogue and innovation. He also emphasized the exceptional importance of the East Mediterranean Maritime Conference.
In his address, Mr. Stefanos Gkikas, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy in Greece, praised the pivotal role the conference plays in enhancing regional maritime dialogue and cooperation, especially in light of the accelerating geopolitical and economic challenges the world is facing. He stressed the importance of such events in unifying efforts among maritime stakeholders to address common challenges.
Four main sessions were held, focusing on topics impacting the growth of the maritime sector. The first session centered on the impact of geopolitical and economic developments on maritime transport, while the second session focused on the ability of regional ports to adapt to rapid technological change. The third session addressed innovation and the latest developments in marine technology. The conference program concluded with a fourth session dedicated to discussing sustainability issues.
The conference concluded with the organizer extending its gratitude to the Embassy of Lebanon in Greece for its continuous support and valuable facilities provided during the preparation and hosting phases of the conference.