Forum Agenda 2025

Time Zone: UTC+03:00

Day 1: September 3, 2025   

09:00 – 09:30 | Registration | Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel | Darzalaz Hall

09:30 – 10:00 | Opening Remarks & Welcome Addresses 

• Opening ceremony – Capt. Stanislav Stoyanov, Bulgarian Shipmasters Association (BSMA), chairman
• Welcome address – Mr. Pavel Popov, Acting Mayor of Varna Municipality
• Welcome address – Vice Admiral Mitko Petev, Official Representative of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria

10:00 – 12:00 | Panel 1: MARITIME TECHNOLOGY

Moderator: Anna Karadencheva, PhD, Lecturer at Naval Academy “Nikola Vaptsarov”

Speakers:​​​

• Nicolas Charalambous – European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), ​​Project Officer for Maritime Safety in Unit Safety and Security, Department Safety, Security and Surveillance
  • Topic: Risk-Based Assessment Tool (RBAT): Systematic Hazard Identification and Risk Control for MASS.
• Simon Bennett – International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Deputy Secretary General
  • Topic: The IMO Net Zero Framework – Implications for the Shipping Industry
• Stanislav Mateev – Cargill, Varna, Operations Manager
  • Topic: Cargill Ocean Transportation – Decarbonization and Future Fuels in Ocean Transportation
• Yana Gancheva – PhD, Naval Academy “Nikola Vaptsarov”, Associate Professor
  • Topic: Sustainable Maritime Operations & Green Port Technologies
• Nick Markov – PhD, Head of Bulgarian Ship Hydrodynamics Centre
  • Topic: Composite Material Technology for Next-Generation Marine Vessel Propeller
• Capt. Nikolay Petkov – Managing Director at Unity Ship Management Ltd
  •  Topic: USM’s Technology-Driven Maritime Operations

Q&A(Questions and Answers) session to ask your questions about the topics discussed (time permitting)

12:00 – 12:45 | Lunch Break with Networking

12:45 – 16:00 | Panel 2: GEO-POLITICAL & TRADE

Moderator: Yavor Velchev, SHIPPOSSIBLE INSURANCE, Founder

Speakers:​​​​

• Ali Abouda – Gulf Navigation Holdings, CFO
   
• Konstantinos Samaritis – Tindall Riley & Co Ltd (Greek Branch) Britannia P&I Club, Head of Office & Divisional Director
   
• Engin Koçak – Turkish Shipbrokers Association, Ship Sale and Purchase Broker, Maritime Market Analyst
  • Topic:​ Trade Wars, Sanctions, Tariffs and Short Shipping Markets​​
• Jim Cashman – Preston Turnbull LLP, Consultant
   
• Guglielmo Camera – Camera & Vernetti Law Firm, Partner
   

      14:25 – 14:40 – Break (depending on session timing)

• Preslav Raykov – Eleen Marine JSC, Commercial Director & Head of Global Trading
  • ​Topic: Trading and Shipping: Working together in the new reality of global markets.​​
• Nikolay Nikolov – Components International, Founder; AlfaStar Capital, Venture Partner
  • Topic:​ Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII – past, present and future. Challenges and opportunities.
• Yavor Velchev – SHIPPOSSIBLE INSURANCE, Founder
  •  Topic: Blacklists & Battlefields – War Insurance in Sanctioned Seas

Q&A(Questions and Answers) session to ask your questions about the topics discussed (time permitting)

19:00 – 22:00 | B2B Cocktail Gathering at the Bulgarian Maritime Training Centre

*Attendance is by invitation only and limited to a select number of participants.

Connect with industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers.

Dress Code: Semi-Formal
If you’re interested in joining, please contact the organisers to inquire about availability.

Day 2: September 4, 2025

09:00 – 09:30 | Registration | Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy Planetarium

09:30 – 10:00 | Opening Remarks & Welcome Addresses 

• Welcome Address and Presentation – Rear Admiral Prof. Dr. Kalin Kalinov, Rector of Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy
• Welcome address – Capt. Dimitar Dimitrov, PHD, FNI, President of CESMA and IMO GMA for Bulgaria.
• Keynotes – Andrew Roberts, Executive Director EMEA & Americas, RightShip

10:00 – 11:00 | Maritime Startups Presentations

Moderator: Capt. Nikolay Bedzhev – PhD, Marine Pilot, University Lecturer; NauticBlue, Owner

• Viktor Dukov – Founder and CEO of SeAI
• Lt. Georgi Lolov – Commander, Communications and Information Systems Section, Frigate BGS Verni
  • Topic: Metaverse – Building an Innovative Platform for Teaching and Communication in the University
• Georgi Parvanov and Deyan Velkov
  • Topics: DeepDraft AI – Next-Gen Cargo Operation Simulators – Smart, Immersive & AI-Powered Training for Modern Port Logistics; AI-Driven Draught Survey Systems – Revolutionizing Ship Loading & Trim Analysis Through Intelligent Automation
• Capt. Zdravko Atanasov – Master Mariner
  • Topic: IntelliCelestial – Innovative Simulation Platform for Modern Astronavigation and AI-Augmented Star & Satellite Tracking
• Radoslav Dechev and Maksim Shalaverov – Founders & Presenters
  • Topic: KOREN — When the Sea Turns Green Smart Farming on Board for Healthier Crews and Greener Voyage

​    Coffee Break (depending on session timing)

11:00 – 13:00 | Panel 3: PORTS & TERMINALS

Moderator: Georgi Dimitrov – Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Associated Professor, PhD

Speakers:​​​

• Scott May – Gallagher Marine Systems (GMS), Senior Vice Presiden
  • Topic: USA Regulatory Framework: Avoiding Pitfalls during Incidents in U.S. Waters​
• Miguel Castro – European Maritime Pilots Association (EMPA), President​​
  • Topic: How are the pilotage experience and knowledge contributing towards sustainable port development.
• Jordan Taylor – Maritime Professional & Fulbright Recipient, Founder of Project Harrison (video presentation)
  • Topic: Practical Application of Generative AI within the Commercial Maritime Industry
• Delyan Hristov – PhD, Naval Academy “Nikola Vaptsarov”, Associate Professor
  • Topic: Technical Pathways for Fleet Decarbonization – Adaptation of Existing Ships and Future-Ready Newbuilds

Q&A(Questions and Answers) session to ask your questions about the topics discussed (time permitting)

13:00 – 13:45 | Lunch Break with Networking

13:45 – 15:30 | Panel 4: CREW WELFARE & EDUCATION

Moderator: Adelina Bedzhevа – Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, PhD Candidate

Speakers:​​​

• Prof. Agustin Martin Mallofre – Barcelona Faculty of Nautical Studies
  • Topic: Living and Working at Sea: What Does the Crew Need?
• Capt. Nikolay Bedzhev – PhD, Marine Pilot, University Lecturer; NauticBlue, Owner
  •  Topic: World-Class and Innovative Maritime Simulators, Created by Mariners for Mariners
• Marcello Pica – Monaco Chamber of Shipping, Vice President; Marine Partners Monaco, President & CEO; Grimaldi Group, HR Director
  • Topic: Beyond Compliance: Integrated Strategies for Crew Welfare, Mental Resilience, and Human-Centric Maritime Management
• Marieta Stefanova – PhD, Naval Academy “Nikola Vaptsarov”, Associate Professor
   
• Svetoslav Stamenov – Founder and Manager, ITR Management Consult OOD, PMP
  •  Topic: ICT Cluster & Maritime Synergy: Business, IT & Education
    
    *More speakers to be announced​​​

Q&A(Questions and Answers) session to ask your questions about the topics discussed (time permitting)

15:30 – 16:00 | Planetarium Show

16:00 | Official Closing Act and Resolution

Time: 15:30 | ​Varna Landmarks Sightseeing

Discover the cultural and historical highlights of Varna on a guided tour.
*Please note: Participation is limited due to capacity constraints.
To reserve a spot, kindly contact the organisers in advance.

20:00 | Gala Dinner at „La Veranda“ Restaurant

* Attendance is by invitation only and limited to a select number of participants.
If you’re interested in joining, please contact the organisers to inquire about availability.

Dress Code: Formal

* Subject to change by the organisers.

https://www.globalcompassforum.com