John Pittalis
Head of Marketing & Communications AAL Shipping (AAL)
John Pittalis is Head of Marketing & Communications at AAL Shipping (AAL), a role he has held since joining the company in 2014. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
John also serves as Head of Marketing & Communications for Schoeller Holdings, an international group with ownership interests across the maritime, aviation, hospitality, and digital development sectors, of which AAL is a proud member.
Prior to joining AAL, John ran a strategic marketing agency, providing consultancy services to clients in ship management, financial services, and fast-moving consumer goods. He began his career at Shandwick in London, delivering press office and crisis communications consultancy to clients including a major UK ferry operator and a South of England port operator.
His published thesis on Recession Marketing led to guest lecturer invitations for both graduate and postgraduate university students in the UK and overseas.
2026 Event Agenda Sessions
The Talent Gap: Who Will Power Tomorrow’s Supply Chains?
As crew shortages deepen and recruitment pipelines stall, the maritime industry faces an urgent question: who will run tomorrow’s ships – and the wider ecosystem that supports them? From seafarers on board to planners, engineers, technologists and logistics professionals on shore, the sector must find ways to strengthen visibility, attract young talent, and build clear pathways into maritime careers. What role can collaboration with universities play? How can AI and digital tools support both upskilling and the creation of more attractive, future focused roles? This panel explores the human challenges across the full maritime value chain and the solutions needed to secure its next generation.
Thursday 05 February 15:00 - 15:45 Main Stage
Talent Gap
As crew shortages deepen and recruitment pipelines stall, the maritime industry faces an urgent question: who will run tomorrow’s ships – and the wider ecosystem that supports them? From seafarers on board to planners, engineers, technologists and logistics professionals on shore, the sector must find ways to strengthen visibility, attract young talent, and build clear pathways into maritime careers. What role can collaboration with universities play? How can AI and digital tools support both upskilling and the creation of more attractive, future focused roles? This panel explores the human challenges across the full maritime value chain and the solutions needed to secure its next generation.
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