1.4 Million
Kilometers
of Subsea Cables
Under the Patronage of
His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Minister of Defense
Fourth Saudi International Maritime Forum
The Future of Seabed Security & Maritime Supply Chains in a Critically Changing World
23–25 November 2026
Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Center, Saudi Arabia
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About the ForumA Global Saudi Platform
Advancing Dialogue and Cooperation
in Maritime Security
The Saudi International Maritime Forum is a high-level international event that brings together leaders, senior officials, and experts to exchange insights and expertise and foster a shared global understanding of the future of maritime security amid accelerating geopolitical and technological transformations. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s strategic role in strengthening maritime stability and supporting a sustainable global economy.
The Fourth Saudi International Maritime Forum
The Future of Seabed Security and Supply Chains in a Changing Global Environment
USD 19 Trillion
Annually
in Financial Transactions Transmitted Across the Seas
80%
of Global Goods
Are Transported by Sea
100 Million
Shipping Containers
Move Through Ports Annually
Over 350%
Increase
in Shipping Costs in Recent Years
30–50% Increase
in Transit Times
Due to Changing Maritime Conditions
Over 50%
of Global Oil Trade
Passes Through Maritime Corridors
Over 30%
of Liquefied Natural Gas
Is Transported by Sea
Over 900,000
Kilometers
of Subsea Pipelines Worldwide
Over 400
Active Subsea Cables
Connecting the World’s Continents
Over 200%
Increase in Maritime Cyber Threats
Over the Past Five Years
300%
Increase in Attacks
on Maritime Infrastructure
The world is witnessing unprecedented transformations in maritime security. As threats to global supply chains intensify, seabed security has emerged as an urgent international priority for strengthening maritime stability and ensuring the sustainability of the global economy.
Forum Program
Strengthening the maritime security ecosystem by supporting international efforts to safeguard the seabed, enhance the efficiency of energy and trade supply chains, and contribute to global economic stability
Seabed Security and Digital Infrastructure
Examining the challenges of protecting subsea cables and digital infrastructure, strengthening maritime cybersecurity, and highlighting the role of nations in safeguarding the global digital economy, which relies on subsea infrastructure.
Maritime Supply Chain Security and Logistics Infrastructure
Exploring the future of maritime trade, strengthening supply chain resilience, and enhancing the efficiency of ports and maritime corridors through advanced technologies to ensure the sustainable global flow of goods.
Energy Supply Chain Security
Focusing on protecting energy systems extending across the seas, from oil and gas pipelines to subsea infrastructure, amid escalating geopolitical threats and the critical importance of vital maritime corridors.
Featured Participants
International Leaders and Experts Shaping the Future of Maritime Security
His Excellency General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili
Chief of the General Staff
His Excellency Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily
Vice Chief of the General Staff
His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Gharibi
Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces
Rear Admiral Prof. Tomasz Ryszard Szubrycht
Commandant,
Polish Naval Academy
Dr. Christina Schori Liang
Expert in Terrorism, Extremism and Maritime Security,
Geneva Centre for Security Policy
Dr. Sugio Takahashi
Expert in Defense and Security Strategies,
National Institute for Defense Studies, Japan
Major General Fahad Hamad Al-Otaibi
Chief Executive Officer,
Center for Defense Strategic Studies and Research
Captain (Ret.) Dr. Gurpreet S. Khurana
Expert in Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific,
Prof. Zaili Yang
Expert in Maritime Risk and Transport Systems,
Liverpool John Moores University
Dr. Alessio Patalano
Expert in Maritime Strategy,
King's College London
Dr. Ihsan Mohammed Bu Haliqa
President,
Jawatha Consulting Center
Dr. Faisal Al-Saaq
Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies,
King Abdulaziz University
Prof. Sanjay Chaturvedi
Expert in International Relations in Maritime Security,
South Asian University, India
Mr. Abdulrahman Ibrahim Al-Fuzai
Expert Researcher,
Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat)
Commodore (Ret.) John Aitken
Expert in Seabed Security and Critical Subsea Infrastructure,
RAND
Mike Constable
President,
Infra Analytics, Singapore
Prof. Tareq Yousef Al-Naffouri
Expert in Maritime Communications and Sensor Research,
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Dr. Yasir Atalan
Researcher in Global Technology Security,
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Assoc. Prof. Kashif Naseer Qureshi
Researcher in Cybersecurity, Communications and Artificial Intelligence,
University of Limerick, Ireland
Prof. Dr. Marios Panagiotis Efthymiopoulos
Expert in International Security and Geopolitical Studies,
Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania
Prof. Gary Corn
Expert in the Law of Military Cyber Warfare and Cyber Strategy,
Washington College of Law, American University
Prof. Sadie Creese
Professor of Cybersecurity and Director of the Global Cyber Security Capacity Centre,
University of Oxford
Dr. Omaimah bint Omar Bamasq
Cybersecurity Expert and Empowerment Leader,
Transport General Authority
Dr. Mürsel Doğrul
Associate Professor,
Turkish National Defence University
Dr. Ibrahim Tariq Javed
Researcher in Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies,
University of the Fraser Valley, Canada
Dr. Basma Al-Buhairan
Innovation Leader and Research Advisor,
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
Prof. Lam Kwok Yan
Expert in Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in the Maritime Sector,
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini
Expert in Maritime and Space Wireless Communications Research,
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Ambitious Goals...
To strengthen an integrated maritime security ecosystem that supports international efforts to protect critical seabed infrastructure, enhance the resilience of energy and trade supply chains, contribute to global economic stability, and align with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Partners & Sponsors
The Forum is supported by and brings together government entities, as well as national and international organizations, whose expertise reinforces the Kingdom's role in the global maritime security ecosystem and highlights the importance of collaboration in addressing the rapid transformations shaping this vital sector.
Under the Supervision of
Organized by
Partners and Sponsors
The Forum is supported by government entities and national and international organizations whose expertise strengthens the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position within the global maritime security landscape and underscores the importance of collective action in responding to the rapid transformations shaping this vital sector
Licensed to
Startime Ultimate Impact
Licensed toLicensed to
Strategic Partner
General Authority for Military Industries
Strategic PartnerStrategic Partner
Gold Sponsor
Navantia
Gold SponsorGold Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Fincantieri Arabia
Gold SponsorGold Sponsor
Media Partner
Unmanned Systems Technology
Media PartnerMedia Partner
Media Partner
Defense Advancement
Media PartnerMedia Partner
Media Partner
Ocean Science and Technology
Media PartnerMedia Partner
Official Contractor
Impact Event Production
Official ContractorOfficial Contractor
Event Management Consultant
United Advisory Chamber
Event Management ConsultantEvent Management Consultant
4 Reasons to Become a Sponsor
A Timely Opportunity to Enable Partnerships and Strengthen Access to Maritime Security Ecosystems
01
Institutional Presence Before the Most Influential Entities in Global Maritime Security Ecosystems
The Forum provides the Sponsor with a prominent position before decision-makers from government entities and global companies leading the dialogue on maritime security and supply-chain issues. It also provides the Sponsor with a direct opportunity to engage with the most influential entities in the fields of maritime corridor protection, the sustainability of energy flows, and the development of advanced maritime technologies.
02
Strategic Access to the Business-to-Government Meetings Track as a Catalyst for Cooperation and Partnership Building
Business-to-Government meetings B2G, are among the Forum’s most important activities and are exclusively allocated to participating Sponsors. These meetings provide a platform where opportunities are discussed, partnerships are built, and channels of cooperation are established with stakeholders. Accordingly, sponsoring the Forum provides Sponsors with priority access to this high-value and high-impact executive track and strengthens their opportunities to secure successful, high-value transactions.
03
Associating the Brand with a Strategic Sector Experiencing Accelerated Global Expansion
The maritime security sector, including subsea cable protection, unmanned systems, maritime cybersecurity, and supply-chain sustainability, is experiencing global expansion driven by geopolitical and technological transformations. Accordingly, sponsoring the Forum will provide an opportunity to establish a position within a sector that is reshaping the balance of economic power.
04
Strengthening Access to an Interconnected Ecosystem Concerned with One of the Most Important Contemporary Global Issues
The Forum brings together a broad ecosystem of entities concerned with energy security, maritime corridor protection, unmanned technologies, and maritime cybersecurity. Sponsoring the Forum will provide the Sponsor with access to this interconnected ecosystem, engagement with its experts, an understanding of its directions, and the opportunity to explore promising strategic cooperation and partnership opportunities.
News & Articles
Stay Updated on Global Maritime Security
Jun 2026
Seabed Security and Maritime Supply Chains in a Critically Changing World
Key Strategic Themes Addressed by the 4th Saudi International Maritime Forum
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