Everything that happened at Donso Shipping Meet 2025, Sweden’s largest shipping event

When we think of the world’s major shipping gatherings, events like Posidonia and Nor-Shipping usually come to mind, or Sea Asia and Singapore Maritime Week, depending on which part of the world you’re based in. However, there is one event with the highest concentration of shipowners on Earth. And this is Donsö Shipping Meet (DSM).

Set on the scenic island of Donsö, just outside the Gothenburg archipelago, DSM takes place every two years. The biennial event brings together shipowners, operators and innovators from across the maritime industry in early September. Donsö lies less than 7 nautical miles from Gothenburg or just 5 nautical miles from Saltholmen, where you can catch a ferry and reach the island in under twenty minutes.

Visitors typically arrive through Gothenburg Airport, but Oslo and Stockholm are also convenient gateways. Just a few hours’ drive separating them from the archipelago.

We landed in Oslo on the Sunday before the event’s opening and were welcomed onto the island later that evening. What strikes you immediately about Donsö is the absence of cars. The island has banned vehicles with internal combustion engines, so residents and visitors get around by boat, golf cart, bicycle, or small electric vehicles. The result is a calm, close-knit environment that feels worlds apart from the bustle of most maritime hubs.

An island built on shipping

Donsö has shipping in its DNA. Almost everyone on the island is connected to the maritime sector, whether through shipowning, fishing, or finance. Stena AB’s founder, Sten A. Olsson, was born here. Today, the island is still home to several family-run shipping companies operating fleets around the globe. With more than half of Sweden’s fleet connected to Donsö, the island is more than just the venue for DSM. It’s the living heart of Swedish shipping.

Exhibitions and open ships

The exhibition at DSM 2025 was buzzing with energy, filled with shipowners, ship managers, technology providers, and service companies all under one roof. Unlike most trade shows, the size of the venue made it feel approachable, ensuring every conversation was meaningful rather than overwhelming.

One of the highlights was the open ship programme, which allowed attendees to step onboard two impressive vessels:
– Furetank’s ‘Fure Valo’: a brand-new 150-metre tanker delivered in 2025.
– Rederi AB Veritas’ ‘Astana’: a modern 130-metre tanker built in 2022.

Walking the decks and seeing the latest innovations in design and safety offered visitors a hands-on look at where the industry is heading.

Commercial and Financing Meet

Tuesday marked the start of the Commercial and Financing Meet, one of the most anticipated parts of DSM. The event was officially opened by Andreas Carlson, Sweden’s Minister for Infrastructure and Housing.

The first session, The Future of Shipping: Development and Competitiveness in a Changing World, brought together leading voices, including Robert Mærsk Uggla, Chair of the Board, Mærsk, Anna Stellinger, Deputy Director General, International and EU Affairs, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, Annika Hult, Deputy CEO, Stena AB and Göran Eriksson, CEO, Port of Gothenburg.

The discussion touched on tariffs, tightening environmental regulations, and the resilience shipping has historically shown in the face of challenges.

This was followed by an interview with Thomas A. Kazakos, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping. In the afternoon, attention turned to ‘The Green Wave: Transitioning Shipping Towards a Sustainable Future’, with perspectives from Anna Müller, CEO, Volvo Penta, Magnus Heimburg, CEO, Preem, Ted Lundström, OVAKO and Chair of the Swedish Shippers Council, Karin Orsel, CEO, MF Shipping Group and Chair of ECSA

The day closed on a sobering but essential theme: Geopolitical threats and how commercial shipping can adjust. Professor Jim Henry Bergeron, Political Advisor to NATO Maritime Allied Command, shared insights, followed by a panel including Johan Norlén, Chief of the Swedish Navy; Sten Tolgfors, County Governor of Västra Götaland; and Carl-Johan Hagman, CEO, NYK Europe.

A banquet bigger than the Nobel

That evening, the mood shifted from formal discussions to celebration. The famous DSM Banquet welcomed more than 2,400 guests. More than even the Nobel Banquet in Stockholm’s City Hall.

The long tables were filled with shipowners, operators, exhibitors and guests enjoying a three-course menu inspired by Sweden’s West Coast, accompanied by live performances. The evening blended networking with festivity, capturing the sense of community that defines DSM.

Speed meetings and side events

Wednesday was dedicated to DSM’s signature speed meetings, which are pre-booked sessions between shipping companies and suppliers. The format ensures everyone makes the most of their time, with participants arriving prepared for focused, valuable conversations.

Meanwhile, side events took place across themes including safety, fishing, HR and the Young DSM event. The latter brings together professionals under 40 to connect and share perspectives.

And while Donsö was at the centre of the action, Gothenburg also played host to gatherings. The most memorable was the Commercial Meet pre-party at the Feskekörka (Fish Church), an iconic former fish market turned restaurant with a strong maritime character.

Why DSM matters

Beyond the ships, panels, and parties, the real highlight of DSM is the chance to experience Donsö itself. Few places in the world can claim such a strong connection to shipping, and for a few days every two years, the island becomes the meeting ground for decision-makers shaping the industry’s future.

For us, DSM 2025 was more than an event, it was a reminder of the community spirit that drives shipping forward. We left Donsö with new ideas, stronger relationships, and a deeper appreciation for the heritage and innovation that make this industry what it is. We are already looking forward to DSM 2027.