Delphine Estibeiro –
As the maritime industry sails through an era of transformation, the International Maritime Legal Conference & Awards 2026, hosted by Marex Media Pvt Ltd and Bose & Mitra & Co, sets the stage for a pivotal dialogue on law, risk, and resilience. Scheduled for 26th August at PVM Gymkhana, Mumbai, the third edition of this landmark event brings together legal luminaries, insurers, shipowners, and technology innovators under the theme “Navigating Legal Horizons – Maritime & Allied Transport in Transformative Times.”
The conference opens with addresses by Capt Kamal Chadha, Mr Wilfred Pereira, and Mr Shantanu Bhadkamka, followed by keynote insights from Mr Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, and Hon’ble Chief Justice Kalpathi Rajendran Shriram (Retd). Their perspectives will frame the evolving legal landscape that governs shipping, logistics, and insurance — a landscape increasingly shaped by sanctions, digital documentation, and global compliance imperatives.
The first panel, “Maritime Insurance in India: Legal Challenges and Future Directions,” will spotlight the sector’s shifting dynamics. As Mr S Sivasankar, Executive Director of New India Assurance, aptly notes, “Navigating legal horizons in maritime and allied transport is ultimately about navigating uncertainty with confidence. As laws evolve and risks become increasingly complex, the role of insurance must evolve with them—from protecting against losses to enabling continuity, resilience and growth.” His words resonate with the event’s mission — to redefine insurance not merely as a safeguard but as a strategic enabler of maritime continuity.
Subsequent sessions delve into war‑risk coverage, crisis preparedness, and tokenisation in vessel acquisition — each exploring how legal frameworks can adapt to technological and geopolitical shifts. The final panel, “Future‑Ready Legal Frameworks for Maritime Transformation,” will examine sustainability mandates and digitalisation, offering a forward‑looking blueprint for maritime law in a globalised economy.
Supported by partners such as New India Assurance, ACE Insurance Brokers, Orion Counsel, Vanguard Tech, Master Group, Renata Partners, Shipfinex, The Great Eastern Shipping Co Ltd, Kaushik & Associates, Anantha and Associates, Dynacom, Quadraant Legal, Seros, IMEI, and GIC, the event underscores collaboration as the cornerstone of progress. The evening culminates in the Marex Awards Ceremony, celebrating excellence across maritime law and insurance, followed by cocktails and networking — a fitting close to a day dedicated to charting the course for a resilient maritime future.
Marex Media