In 2027, the Middle East Bunkering Convention will – for one year only – take place in London alongside International Energy Week.
The impact of geopolitical, economic and regulatory headwinds on shipping and bunkering were key focus topics at MEBC in Dubai at the start of 2026. Since then, the situation across all these fronts has only become more complex and challenging. As such, MEBC 27 will ask to what extent actions taken to mitigate what were seen as short term shocks to energy flows and markets are laying the foundations for a new energy landscape in the Middle East – and also globally.
Speakers at MEBC will consider how shipping and bunkering continue to be affected by events in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, and review recovery strategies following the damage to key oil and gas production infrastructure in the Gulf States. How are Middle East producers developing new conduits for energy flows and what does the commercial landscape look like for physical suppliers and traders in the region? How are fuel producers, ports and the marine fuels industry stepping up to ensure the security of supply globally? For shipping, what are the realities for undertaking transits through contested waterways, including the insurance implications, and for bunker companies, what are the ramifications of US sanctions which are widening in scope?
As well as the conflict in the Middle East, discussions will also focus on the ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, including the growing shadow fleet and evolving US and European sanctions.
A hiatus in oil and gas production has also put pressure on conventional bunker prices, and MEBC will ask how shipping and bunkering are managing price, credit and counterparty risk. High bunker prices mean bumper earnings for traders, but it also increases their credit exposure, so how is that impacting on their credit terms?
Industry experts at MEBC will also consider how recent events are affecting alternative energy production and supply projects across the Middle East, and whether soaring conventional bunker prices could provide an impetus for the uptake of cleaner fuels.
Alongside a focus on the Middle East bunker and shipping markets, MEBC always delivers insights on global markets and regulations. In 2027, the event will examine the impact of EU and IMO environmental regulatory mandates on fuel choices, as well as compliance strategies for international shipping coming into European ports.
While geopolitical and trade tensions are forcing stakeholders along regional and global supply chains to adopt new strategies to ensure business continuity and resilience, digitalisation and AI are also bringing new ways of working into the mix. MEBC will also examine these rapidly evolving technologies which are delivering profound changes to the business of bunkering and shipping.
MEBC 27 will provide a useful and timely platform to discuss what the energy industry may have to leave behind for ever, and what its future ‘normal’ may look like.
Why attend?
Gain insight into how geopolitical disruption is reshaping Middle East and global shipping, bunkering and energy markets
Explore strategies to protect fuel supply, navigate contested waterways and manage sanctions, insurance and operational risks
Hear expert perspectives on bunker price volatility, credit exposure, counterparty risk and changing trading conditions
Assess alternative fuel opportunities and understand how EU and IMO environmental requirements could affect fuel choices and compliance
Discover how digitalisation and AI are changing shipping and marine fuels.
Don’t miss your chance to save £100 on your MEBC27 Early Bird delegate pass
