With less than a month to go to the high-profile Coastlink Conference, the need for the insights and expertise gathered and shared at the annual event have perhaps never been greater.
As ongoing international uncertainty continues to disrupt global shipping and trade, the pivotal role played by short sea shipping ports is also under an increasing spotlight.
Through a combination of conference sessions, structured networking and informal discussion, Coastlink 2026 – in Hull on The Humber 6-7 May – will provide a unique forum for practical knowledge-sharing, partnership building and commercial insight across the European short sea shipping community.
Among the conference themes ports and port operators will be able to benefit from are: Infrastructure and port development to support future vessel and cargo demand; digitalisation and data-driven optimisation across port and shipping operations; and collaboration across ports, shippers and logistics providers to unlock growth.
There will certainly be valuable insights from Coastlink Conference host Associated British Ports, the UK’s largest port operator, who will be joined by speakers, contributors and delegates from other ports including Bilbao, Rotterdam, Shoreham, Esbjerg and Antwerp-Bruges.
At the 2025 conference delegates from ports made up 33% of the total – 2026 is set on a course to provide a similar gathering of knowledge and experience.
