August 3, 2026
NAPA Safety Summit 2026: Together towards automated, efficient and safer operations
A trusted forum for our customers and maritime leaders to solve shared safety and efficiency challenges, together.
The NAPA Safety Summit is a biennial event that brings NAPA customers, maritime leaders, and industry experts together to exchange experience and shape the future of ship safety and operational efficiency. The 2026 edition took place on 24 and 25 March in Ruka, Northern Finland, under the theme “Together towards automated, efficient and safer operations.” Over two days, 44 participants from 17 organizations worked through the questions the industry is facing now, across 27 speakers, 13 sessions, and 2 keynotes: how to operate more safely and more efficiently as automation, AI, and digital workflows reshape work on the bridge and across the fleet.
🎥 How did it all turn out? Watch the video above to see the highlights from NAPA Safety Summit 2026!
The 2026 Theme: Together towards automated, efficient and safer operations
One of the most discussed topics at this year’s summit: Automation, with people at the center. Technology moved through every session, but the conversation kept returning to the people using it. As the industry adopts AI, new software, and new procedures, the Summit made room for the harder question: what actually changes for the crew, the operator, and the safety culture behind the tools.
In their words
“Everybody is talking about solutions, AI, software, procedures. We forget that there are people behind those.”
– Emiliano Caroletti, Principal Instructor, CSMART Center for Simulator Maritime Training
“There’s a lot more happening than just the cruise ship bubble we work in. It opens up your vision and shows you, collectively as a maritime world, which direction we’re heading, and how much more we can achieve together.”
– Siddhant Saxena, Senior Maritime Business Analyst, Holland America Line
“The biggest value is having these candid talks with one another, seeing that you’re not the only ones facing these problems, and sharing solutions together.”
– Ryan Eickholt, Energy Efficiency & Decarbonization Superintendent, Columbia Cruise Services
“It’s a great opportunity to get answers to questions that you might have, and others have already solved them, and to grow.”
– Alexander Thumann, Fleet Performance Manager, TUI Cruises
“We talk to our customers, and we talk to NAPA a lot, but it is a lot of emails and Teams. Now that we are actually together and building relationships in person, it is extremely valuable, and it makes follow-up easier afterward.”
– Karin Assev Øyen, Engineer, DNV
Looking Ahead: NAPA Safety Summit 2028
The NAPA Safety Summit continues to be a trusted platform for industry professionals to exchange ideas, co-steer technological innovation, and shape a safer, more sustainable maritime future.
The success of the NAPA Safety Summit 2026 has set the stage for the next event, scheduled for 2028. We look forward to welcoming you in 2028 for the next chapter of this inspiring journey.
Join Us Next Time!
Stay in the loop for our next event—email us at safetysummit@napa.fi to get all the latest updates!