First speakers announced for ARACON 2026
The longest-running and largest marine fuels and bunkering conference in the ARA region, ARACON is a trusted and respected forum for the global bunker and shipping community to engage in high-level debate and to network and discuss business opportunities with industry peers.
The headline theme for ARACON 2026 is: Annual review: does the bunker industry need to do business better – and differently?
2025 was a tough year for the bunker sector but 2026 has already brought a new set of complicated problems to the table.
Top-flight discussions for a changing bunker sector
As always, ARACON will provide sharp insights on regulation, fuel quality, technology, counterparty risk, AI and commercial practices, and this year it will ask if the industry needs to undertake a ‘root and branch’ evaluation of its business model and structures in order to adapt to a world where geopolitical, energy supply and trade uncertainties are increasingly the norm – and energy transition pathways are perhaps becoming more difficult to follow.
To address these questions, we are bringing together an impressive cohort of industry experts, including:
- Chris Turner, Technical Manager, Integr8 Fuels
- Cherry Almeida, Partner, Caland Advocaten
- Lei Men, Shipping Analyst, Dynamar
- Trine Braathen, Director, Environmental Trading, Blue Energy Partners
- Claudia Beumer, Board Member, IBIA – International Bunker Industry Association
- Álvaro San Pedro, Head of Decarbonisation and New Fuels, Repsol
- Morten Jacobsen, Commercial Manager, METHANAVE
- Rafaela Aristidou, Chief Legal Officer, Island Oil (Holdings) Ltd
- Georges Panaghoulis, Head of Price Risk & Hedging, Island Oil (Holding) Ltd
- Murray Kirkwood, Fuel Specialist & Marine Consultant, Lloyd’s Register
- Marcel Jordens, Commercial Manager, TankMatch Inland Shipping B.V.
- Gordana Ilic, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, BetterSea
- Leon Arets, Managing Director – International Marine, FincoEnergies
- Alexandros Panagiotopoulos, Trading Manager, Scandi Trading Ltd
- Rudra Mishra, Senior Consultant, Shipping Advisory, DNV
If you feel you could make a significant contribution to the ARACON programme and wish to present please contact:
Lesley Bankes-Hughes, Managing Director, ship.energy on +44 1295 814455 or email lesley@ship.energy
Exclusive training opportunities at ARACON 26
We are delighted to be offering two comprehensive training courses during ARACON 2026 in Rotterdam in October: An Introduction to Biofuels and Ethanol as a Marine Fuel.
An Introduction to Biofuels
Half Day Afternoon Workshop: Wednesday 21 October 2026
A focused and highly useful afternoon half-day course providing an overview of the regulatory, commercial, and operational considerations associated with the use of marine biofuels.
Covering core and recent developments in the regulatory and commercial landscape for marine biofuels and taking account of operational feedback on the use of these fuels, this popular course, which featured for the first time at ARACON 2024, offers a focused, timely and highly useful overview of the subject.
Ethanol as a Marine Fuel: U.S. Production, Sustainability and Maritime Applications
10.30 am – 3.30 pm, Wednesday 21 October 2026
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to ethanol, from U.S. agricultural feedstocks and production pathways through to its practical application as a marine fuel. Participants will explore the land use debate, lifecycle emissions performance, global production volumes and supply chains, and the policy frameworks shaping ethanol markets, including the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
Register today – early bird rate closing on 31 August!
Registrations are open until 31 August for the early bird conference rate of just £1,095 – a £300 saving on the standard delegate ticket price of £1,395. Catch it while you can!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Why not take this opportunity to showcase your own company at ARACON 2026 by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor.
