Shippax Ferry Conference Review 2026
Shippax Ferry Conference is built for people who actually run ferry networks. Three days on board GNV’s Rhapsody (Genoa to Olbia to Genoa) compresses executive panels, supplier conversations, and informal networking into one continuous schedule where it is easy to keep momentum and turn discussions into follow ups.
Shippax Ferry Conference 2026 — Event Snapshot
What this conference is built to do
The onboard format is the point. You get a dense mix of operators, suppliers, and decision makers in a single schedule with fewer drop offs than a city hotel show.
How it stands out
High contact density
Everyone is on the same ship and the same timetable. That creates repeated touchpoints that make supplier shortlists and operator follow ups easier.
- Rapid vendor screening across multiple categories
- Operator introductions without calendar chaos
- Revisiting the same people after sessions
Executive debates and peer signal
Panels and debates across RoPax, RoRo, and high speed segments help you compare priorities and timelines across fleets.
- Connectivity and onboard digital experience priorities
- Regulatory pressure points operators are budgeting for
- Where newbuild and retrofit plans are actually landing
Operations meets passenger experience
The 2026 theme pairs operational optimisation with experience and design topics, so technical decisions stay connected to revenue drivers.
- Delay drivers and turnaround constraints
- Energy and maintenance cost pain points
- Passenger feedback and service metrics
Awards and industry visibility
The Shippax Awards are part of the onboard schedule. For vendors, it is a useful anchor moment. For operators, it surfaces which projects are getting attention.
- Track winners and finalists as a shortlist for follow up
- Ask what problem they solved and how they implemented it
- Use lessons learned to de risk your own rollout
Registration and booking
The delegate package is designed to be all in: sessions, cabin nights, meals, and networking are bundled together by the organizer.
- Full participation to sessions and events
- Two nights in your chosen cabin category
- Meals, meal drinks, plus networking drinks and snacks
- Conference materials and magazine
- Shippax Award ceremony
- Single delegate cabin for a focused schedule
- Two delegates sharing a cabin for cost efficiency
- Extra night onboard option (arrive the day before)
Practical notes that make your trip smoother
Pack the right inputs
- Top 3 operational pain points you want to solve this year
- Any upcoming drydock windows and retrofit constraints
- Your priority categories: connectivity, interiors, safety, energy, maintenance, ticketing, or port interface
Work the schedule on purpose
- Pick two session themes and anchor your supplier meetings around them
- Book early conversations on Day 1 and use Day 2 for deeper technical follow ups
- Keep a short list of questions and confirm next steps before you disembark
Arrival and embarkation basics
- Plan to arrive in Genoa with buffer time for port access and check in
- If you want a calmer setup window, consider the extra night onboard option
- Use your booking confirmation as the source of truth for check in windows and boarding steps
Networking that turns into action
- Ask vendors for two operator references and one measurable outcome
- Ask operators what they tried first and what they would do differently
- Leave with a short follow up list: pilot scope, timeline, and owner in charge
We welcome your feedback, suggestions, corrections, and ideas for enhancements. Please click here to get in touch.