Global trade is no stranger to turbulence. But in an era marked by embargoes, supply chain realignments, cyber threats, and energy conflicts, even seasoned shipping professionals are being forced to reevaluate what resilience looks like.
That’s exactly what the Association of Maritime International Commercial Interests and Expertise (AMICIE) set out to do at its recent seminar, “Weathering Geopolitical Risks for International Shipping and Trade,” held at the iconic Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
Bringing together leading voices from shipping, trade, logistics, legal, and regulatory domains, the seminar proved to be a timely and thought-provoking platform for dialogue, strategy, and industry alignment..
AMICIE, derived from amicus curiae or “friends of the court,” was founded in 2017 and registered in 2018 in Chennai, India.. Positioned as a neutral think tank and activist body, AMICIE champions policy reform, operational transparency, and commercial integrity across global maritime supply chains..
What makes AMICIE distinctive is its cross-disciplinary membership — comprising shipowners, operators, charterers, pilots, marine insurers, legal professionals, logisticians, and public sector veterans.. Their collective aim is to build a stronger, smarter, and more self-regulating shipping ecosystem..
The seminar in Singapore marked AMICIE’s first major global foray — and the response was resounding.. With attendees from across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., the event featured deep dives into the commercial, operational, technological, and strategic dimensions of geopolitical risk..
AMICIE’s President, Capt. Suresh Amirapuopened the session by urging industry stakeholders to move beyond reactive risk management and embrace long-term strategic foresight..
Vice President Capt. R. Venkat, who also moderated key sessions, championed the importance of scenario planning, referencing the timeless maritime mantra — “hope for the best, plan for the worst..”
The topics explored were as wide-ranging as they were urgent:
And threading through it all was a quote by AMICIE’s Founder-President Capt. Sury Pullat that lingered in many minds“Half the world will freeze and the other half will perish, if not for shipping”
This wasn’t just metaphor — it was a reminder of the shipping industry’s existential role in enabling life, trade, and economic balance across the globe..
The event’s official souvenir, published in collaboration with Marex Media, brought together a powerful collection of essays, poetry, and practical insights from industry leaders and maritime professionals.. Here are some of the standout contributions:
“As businesses look for ways to remain agile in an increasingly uncertain world, this seminar provides critical insights on how to adapt, mitigate risks, and leverage new opportunities in global trade..”
Following its successful global launch in Singapore, AMICIE is set to host its next event in Mumbai on World Maritime Day.. Plans are already underway to bring AMICIE to other international shipping hubs — with the goal of creating a networked community of maritime professionals committed to reform, innovation, and resilience..
Whether you’re a shipowner, charterer, port operator, regulator, or marine lawyer — AMICIE invites you to join this growing collective of industry minds.. Because navigating through geopolitical volatility isn’t just about reacting — it’s about redefining the rules of the voyage..
