2019 World of Shipping Portugal : an International Research Conference on Maritime Affairs editorial "Leading the shipping industry into the future"

Background, the context and purpose of the study: The current Editorial addresses the evolutionary path of the shipping industry. It mentions its role throughout the years, identifies the leading market segments, refers to the different operational modes due to the inherent nature of the cargoes they carry and lists some trends that appear to have been shaping the maritime industry. Within the scope of this background, the Editorial claims that all maritime market segments face the same future challenges and lists a range of international legislation released by the International Maritime Organisation which industry players must comply with. Findings, the main results: Not/aplicable. Conclusions, brief summary and potential implications: The Editorial concludes by stating that the maritime industry will benefit from the implementation of innovative solutions and further claims that wrong decisions will have severe impacts on the finances of the shipping companies and the environment. Moreover, it presents in a brief way the papers published in this Special Issue, which were selected among the ones presented at the 2019 World of Shipping Portugal, an International Research Conference on Maritime Affairs, 21-22 November 2019, that took place at Hotel Riviera, in Carcavelos, Portugal.