Call for Speakers
From Shore Power to Integrated Energy Systems
DTF Conference 2026 — October 13–14 | Valletta Gateway Terminal, Malta
DTF 2026 invites industry leaders, technical experts, policymakers, utilities, port authorities, shipowners, financiers, and solution providers to submit speaking proposals aligned with this year's core focus: the evolution of shore power into fully integrated port energy systems.
As ports transition from isolated OPS deployments to becoming high-demand energy nodes within national grids, the discussion has shifted from installation to system integration. DTF 2026 will examine the operational, technical, regulatory and financial realities of electrifying maritime infrastructure at scale. We are seeking evidence-based presentations, case studies, research papers and strategic insights that address the structural transformation now underway across ports, grids and shipping.
About the Call for Speakers
DTF 2026 is structured around the central premise that shore power is no longer a standalone environmental measure — it is a grid-scale intervention. Ports are becoming peak load centres. Utilities are becoming maritime stakeholders. Ships are becoming mobile energy assets.
The conference programme explores the operational stress points, policy timelines, financing structures, infrastructure readiness and grid integration challenges that determine whether electrification succeeds — or stalls.
We welcome submissions that:
- •Present real-world deployment case studies
- •Share data-driven analysis and performance results
- •Address regulatory and policy implementation challenges
- •Examine grid capacity, resilience and demand management
- •Explore cost allocation, business models and investment structures
- •Assess ship and port readiness alignment
- •Offer innovative system integration solutions (storage, renewables, hydrogen, digital management)
All submissions will be evaluated on strategic relevance, technical credibility, practical applicability and contribution to advancing maritime decarbonisation.
Application case studies between ports and suppliers are of high priority and will be given precedence.
Scope of Contributions
DTF 2026 is not a theoretical forum. It is a systems-level discussion.
We encourage proposals that cover:
Key Themes for DTF 2026
Based on the 2026 programme structure, the core thematic pillars are:
Shore Power Under Pressure
- •Reliability and redundancy
- •Scaling OPS across multiple terminals
- •Operational stress and technical limits
- •What breaks first when deployment accelerates?
Grids & Policy Alignment
- •Utilities and ports: aligning timelines
- •Policy deadlines vs infrastructure readiness
- •Managing peak demand from vessel electrification
- •Closing the delivery gap between regulation and grid expansion
System-Level Electrification
- •Electrification at scale
- •Integrated energy systems
- •National grid impact of maritime electrification
- •Ports as energy nodes
Cost & Capacity Allocation
- •Who pays for capacity?
- •Infrastructure cost distribution
- •Investment responsibility across stakeholders
Port vs Ship Readiness
- •Infrastructure deployment versus vessel capability
- •Moving from compliance to operational optimisation
From Compliance to Strategic Transformation
- •Beyond AFIR compliance
- •Turning regulatory pressure into long-term infrastructure strategy
Submit Your Speaking Proposal
Abstracts should be approximately 250–300 words and submissions should include a biography. Application case studies between ports and suppliers are of high priority and will be given precedence.
Purely promotional content will not be accepted.