PROGRAM OF INSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCES (PRELIMINARY DRAFT)
Preliminary program undergoing consolidation and finalization; sessions and speakers are subject to updates or minor schedule adjustments.
GENERAL INFORMATION & PARTICIPATION DETAILS
- Conference Venue: Conference Room – Safin Hotel (Marina Orikum, Vlorë).
- On-Site Accreditation & Registration: From 1:30 PM.
- Conference Opening: 2:30 PM across all three days.
- Translation Service: All Summit sessions will feature subtitles and simultaneous translation in the 3 official languages of the event: Albanian, English, and Italian.
- Access Mode: Attendance is completely free of charge and open to industry operators, students, authorities, and the general public upon mandatory online registration, subject to venue capacity (registration link will be available shortly).
DAY 1 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: "The Future Role of Albania in the Mediterranean Marina Market"
Promoted in coordination with ASSOMARINAS (Italian Association of Tourist Ports)
The opening day will focus entirely on a strategic analysis of nautical infrastructure development in Albania,benchmarking Italian and European expertise against the major investments currently underway along the Albanian coast. The session will actively engage key local nautical and maritime hubs: Porto Romano (Durrës), Marina Orikum, and Marina Limion, the Durrës Port Authority, the Vlora Port Authority, as well as the municipalities of Lezha, Shkodra, Vlora, Lushnje and Saranda, which are currently evaluating the development of several new marinas.
- 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: On-site participant registration at Safin Hotel.
- 2:30 PM: Opening of proceedings and welcoming remarks.
- Key Topics & Panel Discussions:
- Adriatic Nautical Scenarios: Opening address by Roberto Perocchio (President of Assomarinas).
- Network Models & Mediterranean Perspectives: Roundtable discussion among international nautical associations, featuring Ana Čalić (EBI - European Boating Industry / Women in Nautical) and Fiorenzo Lupieri (SMIA - Slovenian Industries Association) / Croatian Marina Association / Albanian developers and institutions (tbc)
- Green Transition & Port Services Innovation:
- Perspectives for nautical tourism in Albania: Heiner Haas.
- New sustainability trends applied to marinas: Udo Kleinitz (Amorim).
- Evolution of quay equipment and service facilities: Andrea Cuoghi (Ascom) and Roberto Zago (Ingemar).
- Trends in tourist ports and nautical tourism in the Adriatic: Francesco Di Cesare (Adriatic Sea Forum).
DAY 2 – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
INSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCE: "Corridor VIII, Intermodality, and Blue Economy: New Connections between Italy, Albania, and the Balkans"
Under the patronage and promotion of: THE INTERNATIONAL PROPELLER CLUBS - PORT OF ROME and UIR Unione Interporti Riuniti
This conference serves as a high-level geopolitical and logistical roundtable designed to analyze the role of Corridor VIII as a strategic European axis for freight, transport, and infrastructure connecting the Adriatic, the Balkans, and the Black Sea, while highlighting bilateral industrial cooperation.
- 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Participant registration.
- 2:30 PM: Opening of proceedings.
- Panels & Structure:
- Institutional Greetings: Albanian Government Authorities (tbc), BSF Executive Board, and Donato Caiulo (President of The International Propeller Club - Port of Rome).
- Keynote Session – The Future of Euro-Balkan Logistics: Gianfranco De Angelis (Secretary General of UIR - Unione Interporti Riuniti).
- Panel 1 – Infrastructure, Energy, and Strategic Connections: Analysis of digital networks and energy development in Albania (featuring Antonino Fischetti - Energy Circle, and Alessandro Panaro - SRM).
- Panel 2 – Sea, Security, Space, and New Strategic Depths: Technological and industrial collaborations for maritime security and the Pashaliman area (Lorenzo Galluccio / Leonardo).
- Panel 3 – Sustainability, Design, and Future Shipbuilding: Excellence in high-end yachting and Mediterranean design innovation (Barbara Amerio and Antonio Luxardo).
- Panel 4 – New Economies of the Mediterranean: Investment attractiveness in the Balkans and maritime cluster networks (Vera Moretti - Open Economics).
- Panel 5 – Special Keynote: Land and water restoration and enhancement (Arch. Tommaso Tommasi - MIMIT).
- Concluding Roundtable: "Italy and Albania: Building the New Mediterranean Maritime Ecosystem Together", featuring major local developers as well as regional industrial and real estate groups (tbc).
DAY 3 – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM
TRANS-ADRIATIC COOPERATION ROUNDTABLE: "Human Capital, Research, and New Skills for the Development of the Maritime Sector"
In cooperation with Port Authorities, Centers of Excellence, and the Balkan University System
6:00 PM: Formal closing of the Balkans Blue Economy Summit 2026.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Participant registration.
2:30 PM: Opening of academic and scientific sessions.
Work Modules & Focus Areas:
Module A – The Knowledge Bridge: Universities and Enterprises for Maritime Professions: Academic session led by the University of Durrës in strategic synergy with CEMA (Center of Excellence for Maritime Affairs) alongside the Universities of Vlorë and Montenegro. Focus on "Blue Careers," technology transfer, and managerial skill development for new tourist marinas.
Module B – "Women at the Helm": Female Leadership in the Maritime Sector: International roundtable focused on entrepreneurship, scientific research, and female leadership across yachting, shipbuilding, and port institutions.
