London International Shipping Week

Event Key Details

Event Start: 13th September 2021, 07:40:00

Event End: 17th September 2021, 00:00:00

Event Location: London

London International Shipping Week is a biennial event attended by some of the biggest names and influencers in the worldwide maritime industry.

London International Shipping Week 2021 #LISW2021 took place between the 13th and 17th September 2021 in various locations across the UK capital.

The biennial event commenced following the London Stock Exchange Opening Ceremony at 07:40am on Monday 13th September; an appropriate way to kick off a week of events focused on a global industry which has such a major impact on the worldwide economy.

250 industry functions took place over the following five days which presented attendants with a range of unique networking opportunities with leading industry players. Attendants of the 2021 event were able to participate both in-person and virtually for the first time.
The theme of #LISW2021 was ‘Driving Growth and Recovery in a Disrupted World’ and was the first London International Shipping Week to take place following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mission to Seafarers came together with The Seafarers’ Charity, Stella Maris and Sailors’ Society on the opening afternoon at the Inmarsat building to explore how technology can shape the future of Seafarers’ welfare and reflect on a year where the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted both the maritime industry and the lives of seafarers globally.

Managing Director of V Ships UK, John Adams, chaired the conference which featured a panel of speakers consisting of James Muir (CCO Ship Management), Mark O’Neil (Columbia Ship Management), Ronald Spithout (Inmarsat Maritime) and David Gooberman (Isle of Man Ship registry).
Together, the panel discussed how maritime companies had responded to events in 2020 and altered practices to account for the changing welfare needs of seafarers during this period.

The second panel meanwhile discussed how digital technologies can help support the mental health of seafarers, with the following session looking at what technologies companies will need to invest in if they are to provide better welfare for seafarers generally.

Keynote speakers at the conference included Dr Grahaeme Henderson (Together Safety Chairman) and Nick Chubb (Thetius Founder) in what were highly interactive sessions where panels fielded a range of questions from the audience.

Our Secretary General Andrew Wright hosted a number of panels across the week. Prior to the event he posted a video in which he discussed the changes that seafarers’ welfare providers are currently facing:

From ship owners and company CEOs, to insurance brokers and port operators; this must-attend event attracts those from the highest levels of government alongside shipping industry leaders and influencers. This makes it the ideal opportunity for networking and developing working relationships which can make a real difference to you and your company over time.

The two key events are a high level Conference and an exclusive Gala dinner and reception which has traditionally been attended by over 1,000 guests. The Conference features a number of international speakers from across the maritime industry.

The date for London International Shipping Week 2023 #LISW2023 has yet to be confirmed.

However, London International Shipping Week has traditionally taken place in the month of September with various conferences and gatherings taking place throughout London.

The events are invariably free to attend for all of those involved in the maritime industry but attendance at some gatherings are by appointment only, but there are charges for the main Conference and Dinner.

To keep up to date with plans for London International Shipping Week 2023 and to make sure that you are the first to hear the dates of the event so that you can register your interest, please sign up to The Mission to Seafarers newsletter.