Maritime Innovation Summit 2025 in Greece：Building a Sustainable Future for the Maritime Industry through Innovation & Collaboration

Weathernews Inc. hosted the Maritime Innovation Summit at the Embassy of Japan in Greece, bringing together more than 70 participants. The event introduced our latest initiatives in maritime services across Europe and fostered discussions on future developments in the shipping market. This article highlights the purpose of the summit and key messages from the event’s keynote speeches.

A Gathering of Maritime Leaders at the Embassy of Japan in Greece

On October 23, 2025, Weathernews held the Maritime Innovation Summit at the Embassy of Japan in Greece.

As one of the world’s leading shipowning nations, Greece has long supported global logistics. The Athens area is home to many of the world’s top shipowners and operators, making it an ideal location for this event. The summit aimed to discuss the rapidly changing maritime landscape, focusing on the latest weather technologies and services for vessels, maritime safety, and strategic cooperation. Greece—a global center of shipping— was the natural choice to explore the question, “What kind of weather intelligence is truly needed in today’s maritime industry?”

The event was attended by key figures including Greece's Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy (Mr. Vassilis Kikilias), Japan's Ambassador to Greece (Mr. Koichi Ito), and the President & CEO, Ariston Navigation Corp. (Mr. Ioannis K. Xilas), along with executives from 20 European shipping companies, totaling over 70 participants. Government officials, shipowners, and industry executives, were all focused on the future of maritime safety and sustainability.

Sharing a Vision for a Sustainable Maritime Future

In his keynote speech, Minister Kikilias stated:

“Japan is a pioneer in innovation, automation, and robotics; Greece possesses the experience, the know-how, and the people who know the sea better than anyone else. This combination is a powerful one — it can reshape the future of shipping with our shared goals of green transition, sustainable development, and zero-emission navigation.” Concluding his speech, the Minister referred to the future of Greek–Japanese relations with words that combined diplomatic precision and emotional strength.

Ambassador Ito of Japan emphasized the growing importance of accurate information in the maritime industry:

“The accuracy of information is the new fuel of shipping. With artificial intelligence tools and digital platforms, weather forecasting is no longer just about the safety of a single voyage — it now concerns the strategic efficiency of entire fleets. In a world affected by climate change, Weathernews represents the future of navigation: safety, technology, and sustainability.”

He added a reflection rooted in Japanese language and philosophy:

“In the Japanese language, the word for ‘crisis’ is kiki — the second character, ki, also means ‘opportunity.’ From every crisis, the potential for progress emerges. The cooperation between Japan and Greece is precisely that: an example where trust, friendship, and our shared maritime spirit transform challenges into new prospects for growth. I hope that today’s reception will further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between our two nations.”¹

Our Growing Presence in Greece

This summit shows our long-term investment in the Greek maritime market. Since opening our Athens office² in 2016 with one person, we've grown the team significantly, doubling it multiple times over the years. That growth mirrors the Greek shipping industry's 42% expansion since 2016.

We're not here just to provide weather services. We're building relationships, developing Greece-specific solutions, and embedding ourselves in the maritime community that moves 28% of global sea cargo.

The connections made at this summit, with INTERCARGO, major shipowners, and government officials, strengthen our ability to serve this market.

Athens is not just an office for us – it is a commitment.

What's Next

We're continuing our collaboration with the Embassy of Japan to advance maritime innovation initiatives. You'll see us at Posidonia³ next summer of 2026, and we're already planning our participation in the Thessaloniki International Fair 2026⁴.

Greece is central to the future of global shipping. We're committed to being part of that future.

Learn more about Weathernews’ latest initiatives⁵