With scores of shipowners booking their flights for late April to Switzerland for the world’s top dry bulk event, Vasileios Gkikas will be on hand to answer some of the most pressing questions on the agenda. Gkikas, global lead for dry bulk at class society ABS, tells Splash the questions he tends to field the most concern the incoming emissions regulations and how to achieve compliance in a way that reduces the risk of incurring penalties. Owners are keen to understand the evolution in alternative and sustainable marine fuels, ranging from the technical challenges associated with their use to availability and price, he says. Clients also want to understand other commercial factors around fuels and energy efficiency, namely whether there are incentives from charterers for more efficient vessels. They are also greatly interested in knowing how to manage their risks in a wider global context, maintaining safe and secure vessel operations at a time when geopolitical factors are continuing to pose threats. “More companies are recognising that digitalisation through systematic use of operational data can help them understand how their ships run and identify margins for efficiency improvements that can directly translate into fuel savings, emissions reductions and regulatory compliance,” Gkikas says. The class executive is especially looking forward to two highly relevant sessions during the upcoming trade summit: the Digital Efficiency Drivers At Sea panel as well as the Dry Decarbonisation debate. The first session explores how digitalisation can enhance dry bulk shipping operations to the benefit of both shipowners and charterers, while the decarbonisation discussion will ask who will genuinely pay for shipping’s green transition while identifying some of the low-hanging fruit that delegates might not be aware of today in their bid to slash emissions. “For ABS, Geneva Dry represents an opportunity to hold pragmatic discussions around the challenges and opportunities facing the dry bulk market. With everything that is going on in the world economy right now, we feel sure there will be plenty to discuss,” says Gkikas, a returning delegate to the event scheduled for April 28 and 29 at the Hotel President Wilson on the shore of Lake Geneva. Geneva Dry brings together all elements of the commodities shipping sector to host the ultimate dry bulk shipping event. Split into sectors, panels will bring together analysts, financiers, miners, traders and shipowners to discuss where the markets are headed. Sessions include: Minor Bulks Agri-commodities Coal Iron Ore The full Geneva Dry agenda can be accessed here.Geneva Dry registration, at just $780, can be accessed here.Special Geneva Dry hotel room rates can be found here. The over 220 companies attending Geneva Dry 2025 include: 2020 Bulkers, ABS, Aderco, Admaren, Aferrari Maritime Advisory, Affinity, Alberta Shipmanagement, Amart Shipping, Ambica Logistics, AmSpec, Anglo American, A.O. Schifffahrt, Ariston Navigation, AR Savage & Son, Arrow, Asia Shipping Media, Asiatic Lloyd Maritime, Asyad Shipping Company, AXSMarine, Bahri Dry Bulk, Balena Projects, Baltic Exchange, Banchero Costa, Beaufort Shipping, Berenberg Bank, Bery Maritime Inc., BIMCO, BIS Services, Blue Astra Maritime, Blue Visby Services, BPG Shipping Company, Braemar, BroadPeak Partners, BUDD Group, Bulk Commodity Trade, Bulk Egypt, Bureau Veritas, Burmester and Vogel, CALLS Shipping, Cambiaso Risso, Cargill, Castlewood Capital Partne