On 3-5^th of May, 2018 «European Shipping Industry Stakeholders Forum» took place in the Conference-centre of «Cherno More» hotel in Varna, Bulgaria.  The Conference «European Maritime Transport Strategy 2019-2028» and the 8^th General Meeting of Black Sea Association of Maritime Institution (BSAMI) were conducted in the framework of the Forum. 200 delegates from more than 10 countries, including 57 different companies and organisations (universities, enterprises and organizations, classification societies) participated in the forum. S.A. Karianskiy, Associate Professor, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Dean of Automation Faculty and O. Suprun, Specialist of International Cooperation Department represented National University “Odessa Maritime Academy” at the Forum.

During the Forum the opening ceremony the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Bulgaria Mr. Ivaylo Moskovski and Mayor of City of Varna Mr. Ivan Portnih made welcome speeches.The Forum was dedicated to the European Maritime Transport Policy until 2020 and European Maritime Transport Strategy 2019-2028. During the 8^th General Meeting of BSAMI a new Chairperson, Senior Vice Chairperson and Vice Chairperson were elected. Mr. Oral Erdogan, the Rector of Piri Reis University has become a new Chairperson of BSAMI for the next 2 years.