Course Title: Geopolitics and Tectonic Shifts in Shipping to 2050
Course Duration: 2 Days
Dates: 19-20 February 2026
Venue: Copenhagen Business School, Porcelaenshaven 22, Lecturer Room 1.20.
Fee: EURO 1500
The fee covers all the teaching material, breakfasts and lunches.
Course Overview:
This 2-day session will provide both maritime business managers and leaders active in the shipping sector with a comprehensive overview of the changes and challenges they need to handle in the coming decades.
The changes which will alter the shipping sector in the next decade include external factors such as major geopolitical shifts and decarbonization as well as internal factors such as digitalization, the use of AI and changing interplay between the various shipping stakeholders.
During these two days we will take a closer look at the nature of the underlying changes, dive deeper into how this affects shipping and understand how this will drive the need to make decisions impacting not only the medium but also long term.
Learning objectives
- Understand the path the industry has been on the past 4 decades, the catalytic impact of the past years and how this will change going forward
- Understand the impact of major shifts in geopolitical forces
- Understand the coming impact of digitalization and AI
- The impact of regulatory changes
- The impact of decarbonization
- Understand the timeframe and risks related to decisions impacting the long term
Content
| DAY 1 – 19 February 2026
Setting the strategic stage
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| Time | Duration | Content | |
| From | To | Hours | |
| 09:00 | 10:30 | 1:30 | · The fundamental path of shipping from 1980 to 2020
· What has been the impact of the 2020-2025 disruptions? What is important strategically going forward and what is “only” tactical but not of strategically lasting importance? |
| 10:30 | 11:00 | 0:30 | Break |
| 11:00 | 12:30 | 1:30 | · What are the most impactful geopolitical issues that will change shipping (part I)
· Shipping as a political “tool” outside commercial interests · The fragmentation of global rules · What are the largest risks and how to mitigate them |
| 12:30 | 14:00 | 1:30 | Lunch |
| 14:00 | 15:30 | 1:30 | · What are the most impactful geopolitical issues that will change shipping (part II)
· The rise and fall of regional powers · What are the largest risks and how to mitigate them |
| 15:30 | 16:00 | 0:30 | Break |
| 16:00 | 17:30 | 1:30 | · What are the most impactful geopolitical issues that will change shipping (part III)
· Changes in competitive parameters between shipping companies · Being forced to choose allegiances · What are the largest risks and how to mitigate them |
| DAY 2 – 20 February 2026
Navigating a changing sea |
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| Time | Duration | Content | |
| From | To | Hours | |
| 09:00 | 10:30 | 1:30 | · The rise of AI – what is hype and what is reality
· How to position for benefits · The minefield of the intersection between AI and Cybersecurity |
| 10:30 | 11:00 | 0:30 | Break |
| 11:00 | 12:30 | 1:30 | · What are the decarbonization rules already agreed – and not agreed
· The fragmentation of environmental policies and the impact on shipping · How will decarbonization impact the industry out to 2050 |
| 12:30 | 14:00 | 1:30 | Lunch |
| 14:00 | 15:30 | 1:30 | · How will the changes impact HR
· What will be required of the future workforce |
| 15:30 | 16:00 | 0:30 | Break |
| 16:00 | 17:30 | 1:30 | · A framework for understanding and planning your own path ahead |
Delivery Method:
Lectures by experienced academic with industry expertise.
Group discussions and interactive sessions
Certification:
Participants who successfully complete the course and pass the assessment will receive a certificate of completion in Geopolitics and Tectonic Shifts in Shipping to 2050.
Target Audience:
This course is suitable for early- and mid-career professionals.
Lecturer:
Lars Jensen is CEO of Vespucci Maritime, and is an analyst and a well-known
thought leader in the container shipping industry.
Lars has 23 years of experience from inside the container shipping industry.
Prior to being an independent consultant, Lars held various positions in Maersk
including Director of Market Intelligence and Director of E-Commerce.
Lars is also partner in LinerGame which is a training tool for container shipping
using container vessels made of Lego bricks to simulate market dynamics.