OCEAN at 50: Shaping the Future of EU Customs & Maritime Supply
Anchoring 50 Years of Trade: Navigating EU Customs Reform, Maritime Leadership, and Seafarer Welfare
Global leaders meet in Brussels on 17 Sept 2026 as OCEAN celebrates 50 years of driving maritime trade with this landmark industry event! Dive into major EU customs reforms, hear keynotes from Commission & WCO dignitaries, and support seafarers in our exclusive charity art auction.
For half a century, European ship supply has served as the quiet powerhouse keeping global maritime trade moving forward.
On Thursday, 17 September 2026, the European Ship Suppliers Organization, OCEAN, marks five decades of dedication, collaboration, and advocacy with a landmark anniversary conference and reception at the heart of European decision making, Brussels.
This special milestone brings together an extraordinary lineup of world-class leaders, regulatory authorities, and industry pioneers to discuss high-level regulatory clarity, engage in strategic debates, and drive meaningful support for maritime welfare.
The afternoon program opens with distinguished welcomes from OCEAN Board Chairman Costantino Zavoianni, ISSA President Executive Vice President George Saris, and CLIA Executive Vice President Niels Wammen-Jensen, setting a collaborative stage that spans European and international maritime communities.
Attendees will then hear a keynote address from Guest of Honour Gerassimos Thomas, Director-General in the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union at the European Commission, addressing courageous customs union reforms in demanding times.
His intervention is highly timely as it was only two weeks ago, on 3 September 2026, that the Council of the European Union has officially approved a comprehensive overhaul of the EU customs framework, modernising trade controls and duty collection across the bloc.
Mr Thomas is expected to discuss how governance of the customs law will will be streamlined through a new EU Customs Authority based in Lille, France, starting operations in 2027 and utilising a centralised EU Customs Data Hub for real-time risk analysis.
Furthermore, delegates are interested to hear about how the legislation incentivises trade compliance by creating a "trust and check" trader status to enable seamless, automated clearance for qualified businesses, with mandatory data hub integration taking effect for e-commerce in July 2028 and all traders by March 2034.
A central highlight of the event is an expert business panel moderated by OCEAN Secretary General Arne Mielken, featuring prominent industry dignitaries. Key panel speakers including CLECAT Director General Ms. Nicolette van der Jagt, FEPORT Secretary General Ms. Lamia Kerdjoudi, OCEAN Vice Chair Mr. Carl Forsman, and FONASBA Regional Vice President for Europe Mr. Raymond Troch will react to upcoming EU reforms and engage directly with the audience through live interactive polls.
The celebration also honours history and charity in equal measure through the unveiling of the OCEAN 50th Anniversary Book by former OCEAN Chair Alfredo Tosato, alongside an ad-hoc address on customs vigilance by World Customs Organisation Deputy Secretary General Ricardo Treviño Chapa.
Guests will also witness the unveiling of a commemorative painting by renowned artist Selina Javaid, which kicks off an exclusive silent auction running from September 17 to September 19.
Every cent raised from this auction will directly benefit The Seafarers' Charity, helping improve health, safety, and financial resilience for the crew members who form the backbone of global commerce.
We cannot wait to celebrate fifty years of shared heritage, tackle tomorrow's regulatory horizons, and give back to our vital seafaring community.