As a non-profit event, SAFETY4SEA Istanbul Forum is expected to attract around 200 attendees from 100 organizations, including professionals from safety, technical, and marine departments of shipping operators, as well as other key maritime industry stakeholders.

Türkiye’s unique geographical location, strategically positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, has long been a vital link between the continents, making it an ideal hub for global maritime dialogue. Istanbul, situated along the Bosporus Strait—one of the world’s busiest maritime passages—serves as a gateway between the Black Sea and Mediterranean, handling a significant volume of global shipping traffic. As a major port city, Istanbul plays a central role in international shipping, ship management, logistics, and trade.

A strategic venue for maritime discussions

Türkiye’s growing maritime sector, backed by more than 80 shipyards in regions like Tuzla, Yalova, and Izmit, has seen impressive expansion, with shipyard capacity growing exponentially over the past two decades. The country has become a powerhouse in shipbuilding and repair, with Istanbul at the heart of these operations. The city’s historical significance as a commercial and diplomatic hub, along with its advanced infrastructure and strong governmental support, solidifies Türkiye as a premier location for maritime industry events. Hosting a SAFETY4SEA Forum in Istanbul offers a perfect opportunity to address pressing issues in maritime safety and sustainability within a region that continues to shape the global shipping landscape.

Recognizing this, SAFETY4SEA is thrilled to bring the event to Istanbul for the first time, providing a platform for industry leaders and experts to discuss the latest developments, trends, and best practices. The forum will foster international collaboration while supporting the growth and sustainability of Türkiye's maritime sector.

“The SAFETY4SEA Istanbul Forum serves as an essential gathering for maritime professionals, providing a collaborative environment to address safety, regulatory, and environmental challenges facing the industry,” said Apo Belokas, Managing Editor of SAFETY4SEA. “We are excited to add this new maritime hub to our event agenda and engage with maritime stakeholders in meaningful discussions, highlighting the industry’s recent developments.”.

Spotlight on the ESG Agenda

With sustainability taking center stage in the shipping industry, the inaugural Istanbul forum will focus on key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Topics will include progress towards crew welfare, safety culture, and maritime decarbonization, following recent IMO developments.

A platform for innovation and collaboration

The 2025 SAFETY4SEA Istanbul Forum will provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge on best practices, innovative strategies, and regulatory updates aimed at enhancing maritime safety and sustainability. Participants can look forward to engaging discussions, thought-provoking presentations, and interactive sessions designed to address the evolving needs of the global maritime sector.

The forum will also place a strong emphasis on the human element in shipping, recognizing the critical role of seafarers in ensuring the industry’s smooth operation. Key topics to be discussed include:

•          Safety, & Environmental Regulatory Developments (IMO, EU, International)

•          Human Factors, STCW, ILO MLC, Training & Development

•          Crew Welfare, Loss Prevention, Risk & Security management

•          E-navigation, Cyber Security, Big Data, Smart applications

•          IMO Decarbonization Roadmap & latest MEPC developments

•          Propulsion Options, Air Emissions, Energy Efficiency

•          Experience Transfer & Best Practices beyond compliance

A must-attend event for maritime professionals

The 2025 SAFETY4SEA Istanbul Forum promises to be a must-attend event for maritime professionals, regulators, and industry stakeholders. The forum will feature a distinguished panel of industry leaders and experts, to be announced soon on the event’s dedicated website.

Unlike traditional conferences, the SAFETY4SEA Istanbul Forum is designed to be interactive and engaging. It will feature panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and interactive dialogues, ensuring active participation from attendees. The event aims to serve as a catalyst for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and growth within the maritime sector.

Attendance is completely FREE for delegates, in line with SAFETY4SEA’s commitment to fostering industry-wide engagement and education. All event costs are covered by sponsors, ensuring accessibility for a diverse audience of maritime professionals.

Find details about the 2025 SAFETY4SEA Istanbul Forum at

https://events.safety4sea.com/2025-safety4sea-istanbul-forum/

About SAFETY4SEA

SAFETY4SEA is Fostering Sustainable Shipping for more than 15 years, hosting the leading safety4sea.com, (300k visitors monthly) producing monthly magazines & tailored publications (100k p.a. circ. onboard & ashore) & Industry Surveys along with e-mail, video & social media, delivering SAFETY4SEA, GREEN4SEA, & Crew Welfare Week Forums & Awards.