The Nautical Institute - Experts & Thought Leaders

The Nautical Institute (Singapore Branch) is pleased to announce the final speaker line-up and agenda for its 2024 Annual Conference, a cornerstone event at the Singapore Safety at Sea Week. This year’s conference, themed "Charting a Greener World – Dealing with Sustainability, Emergency Preparedness, and Seafarer Well-being," comes at a critical time for the maritime industry, as recent high-profile maritime casualties underscore the pressing need for innovative solutions and proactive dialogue. In response to these recent incidents, this year’s conference will bring together industry pioneers to tackle critical topics in sustainability and emergency preparedness, ensuring the maritime sector is well-equipped to navigate the challenges ahead. Maritime safety and innovation  The conference will commence with opening remarks from Mr. Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), highlighting the significance of maritime safety and innovation in a rapidly evolving landscape. This will be followed by the keynote address by Jeremy Sutton, CEO of Swire Shipping, who will provide critical insights into the industry’s trajectory towards a more sustainable future. The morning session will feature a dynamic panel discussion on Managing the Green Wave, moderated by Mark Cameron, Managing Director (Asia) at Ardmore Shipping. Panellists include representatives from Swire Shipping, Intertanko, the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), the Singapore Maritime Academy and Fratelli Cosulich Bunkers Singapore. This session will explore the industry's shift towards greener technologies and the associated crew risks and challenges. Critical issues of emergency preparedness The afternoon sessions will tackle critical issues of emergency preparedness and seafarer wellbeing The afternoon sessions will tackle critical issues of emergency preparedness and seafarer wellbeing. Panel 2: Emergency Preparedness - Are They Ready for Green Emergencies? will bring together experts such as Toby Stephens, Head of Shipping at HFW, who will be moderating the session and key figures from UK P&I Club, Solis Marine, Executive Ship Management, and SMIT, to explore the industry’s readiness for environmental emergencies and the complexities introduced by alternative fuels and hazardous cargoes. The day will conclude with Panel 3: The Changing World - Current Issues Affecting Seafarers, moderated by Capt. Yves Vandenborn of NorthStandard. This panel will focus on the human element of maritime operations, addressing seafarer rights, mental wellness, and the future of a diverse and skilled workforce. Yves will be accompanied by panellists from ASP Ships Group, Hafnia, OneCare Group and Asia Legal LLC. Discussing green initiatives Along the three main panels, there will be short presentations by senior representatives from ITOPF, The Nautical Institute, Marine Stewards, T&T Salvage Asia, Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration, Navozyme, and Mission to Seafarers. Reflecting its commitment to sustainability, the Nautical Institute is not only discussing green initiatives but also implementing them. The conference will be a model of sustainability, with sustainably sourced food and no single-use plastics. In a move that underscores the Institute’s dedication to marine conservation, traditional speaker mementos have been replaced with sponsorship of coral nubbins to be planted in local waters, ensuring a lasting positive impact on the oceans.

In just two weeks, the highly anticipated 18th edition of Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) is set to herald the largest gathering of the global maritime value chain in Southeast Asia. Networking and delegation visits From 13 to 15 March 2024, over 1,400 global brands will be present at the conference and exhibition, spanning 17 pavilions across six expansive halls of Singapore's Marina Bay Sands.   From closed-door networking sessions and delegation visits to product launches and business announcements, APM 2024 will serve as a platform for fostering tangible connections and sharing insights that will propel the maritime industry forward in today's landscape of transformative changes driven by technology, climate imperatives, and shifting geopolitical landscape.   APM 2024 Conference   The main stage will focus on tackling growth and business potential in maritime Close to 120 industry experts from Singapore and across the world will share their insights and expertise in Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cybersecurity, Next Gen Ports, and Operational Excellence across two stages on the floor.  The main stage will focus on tackling growth and business potential in maritime, while the innovation stage will present case studies, pioneering innovations, and inspiring visions to help companies overcome challenges in business growth.    Keynote panel discussion At the heart of the APM conference will be a keynote panel discussion titled "A Net Zero Carbon Maritime Industry – Will We Ever Get There?" as the first session at the Main Stage on 13 March 2024. The panel will bring together some of the key pioneers in the industry to discuss regulatory and policy frameworks and dissect the industry's trajectory toward carbon neutrality, examining challenges, opportunities, and the feasibility of achieving this ambitious goal.  Panelists for the event They include Andreea Miu, Head of Decarbonisation, The Sustainable Shipping Initiative; Douglas Raitt, Area Commercial Manager Singapore, Southeast Asia & Australasia, Lloyd's Register; Capt. Hari Subramaniam, Chairperson, The Nautical Institute (Singapore) & Regional Head of Business Relations, The Shipowners Mutual P&I Association (Luxembourg) (Singapore Branch); Jason Chia, Assistant Vice President, Global Design Centre, Seatrium; Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation), Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA); Dr. Sanjay Kuttan, Chief Technology Officer, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation; Torben Nørgaard, Chief Technology Officer – Energy & Fuels, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping; Toshikazu Shiomi, Senior Vice President, Ocean Network Express.   Maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation Kenneth Lim, Assistant Chief Executive (Industry & Transformation), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), commented, "Singapore, as a forward-looking maritime hub, has been at the forefront driving digitalisation and decarbonisation for the maritime industry." "We look forward to meeting like-minded individuals and organisations from all over the world to discuss achieving net-zero emissions through technological innovations alternative fuels, regulatory frameworks, and collaboration among industry stakeholders. MPA looks forward to contributing to the global efforts in transforming the maritime industry and combat climate change.”  Investments in alternative fuels "We must relentlessly continue our ambition to decarbonise by the 1.5°C target. A substantial increase in upstream investments in alternative fuels is critical for the maritime decarbonisation journey," said Torben Nørgaard, Chief Technology Officer – Energy & Fuels, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.  "I am looking forward to sitting down with other maritime pioneers at APM 2024 to bring these discussions forward." Conference sessions Sessions curated for the conference, which is sponsored by ABS WaveSight, Convera, DNV, Roxtec, Yinson GreenTech, ARI Simulation, and Siemens Energy, include: Market Intelligence: Shipping Outlook for 2024 and Beyond – What Lies Ahead  Is the Maritime Sector Struggling to Innovate?  Developing a Future-Ready Maritime Workforce  Green Shipping Corridors: Fostering Eco-Friendly Transportation Networks  Rise of Green Ammonia: What is Needed to Make it a Success?  Growth and decarbonisation strategies Exploring opportunities for collaboration to establish a green maritime plan involving electrification Industry veteran Carmelita Hartoto, Chairwoman of the Indonesia Shipowners' Association (INSA) and Chair of the Federation ASEAN Shipowner's Association (FASA), will be speaking on the opening day. Her session on “Indonesian Maritime Future Energy – Opportunities and Challenges” will focus on the industry’s status, growth forecasts, and decarbonisation strategies while also exploring opportunities for collaboration to establish a green maritime plan involving electrification and green hub development.  Speakers at the conference Other speakers attendees can look forward to seeing:  Ashish Mediratta, Head of Crewing, A.P. Moller Maersk  Dr. Chunwee Ng, Associate Professor, Singapore Institute of Technology  Elizabeth Petit Gonzalez, Head of Partnerships, The Sustainable Shipping Initiative  Jan-Viggo Johansen, Managing Director, Marine, Yinson GreenTech  Murthy Pasumarthy, Assistant Vice President, Technology & New Product Development, Seatrium  Norberto Barlocco, Head of Operations for Electrical, Automation & Digitalisation South West Europe, Siemens Energy   Sanjay Verma, Director, Decarbonisation Solutions, Wärtsilä  Satellite Mobility World seminar The Satellite Mobility World seminar will delve into the latest advancements in maritime broadband communications Separately, the Satellite Mobility World seminar happening on the afternoon of 14 March at the Innovation Stage will delve into the latest advancements in maritime broadband communications. Titled "Unlocking The Future of Broadband at Sea: How Multi-Orbit Connectivity Is Propelling Maritime Forward", the sessions will be led by Speedcast, OneWeb, Intellian, Kymeta, Intelsat, and Iridium. Attendees can expect discussions on cutting-edge technologies like Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) services, flat panel antennas, and multi-orbit constellations shaping the future of maritime connectivity.  Innovative solutions at APM  As the maritime industry prepares for a significant surge in the adoption of technologies such as autonomous vessels, drones, additive manufacturing, smart coatings, artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, hydrogen fuel cells, carbon capture, and more, APM will stand as a pivotal platform for the unveiling of such solutions to drive the industry forward.  Attendees can expect to see 1,400 pioneering brands, including Amogy, CALB Group Co., Ltd, Damen Shipyard, Durapower, EST-Floattech, EVE Energy Storage Co., Ltd, Fincantieri, Siemens Energy, ST Engineering Ventures, Tersan Shipyard, VertiDrive and many more.  Some of the key activities on-site will include:   Nippon Paint (Stand B-M16) will launch two groundbreaking products that promise to redefine the maritime coating industry. AQUATERRAS hailed as the world's first biocide-free self-polishing coating, offers exceptional long-term fouling protection while being environmentally friendly, thanks to its unique micro-domain structures. Complementing this is FASTAR, a new generation antifouling paint utilising nano-binder technology, delivering high performance while aiding emissions abatement and energy efficiency targets.  Flyability will be showcasing the Elios 3 drone at their stand C-E42. Renowned for its safety and efficiency in inspection use, the Elios 3 will be demonstrated on its applications in maritime operations.   Enhancing national and regional shipping Carmelita Hartoto will also lead a contingent of Indonesian shipowners to APM 2024. She shared, "In my role as Chairwoman of INSA and Chairperson on ASEAN Shipowners, my mission is to enhance national and regional shipping with international stakeholders."  "Indonesia's and ASEAN’s shipping industry has been growing significantly in recent years, so there is no better time to present ourselves on the world stage to enhance global awareness of our capabilities and needs. For APM, I am looking forward to having our shipowners network and prospect with companies from all over the world and to learn from all the different stakeholders in the maritime sector."  Sustainability in maritime "After weathering the storm of the global pandemic, the resurgence of APM in its grandest form is a testament to the unwavering resilience and determination of our maritime community and the pivotal role of APM, which has been supporting the ecosystem for the last three decades," said Yeow Hui Leng, Group Project Director, RX, the organiser of APM.   "We look forward to welcoming participants from around the globe as we embark on this journey towards a more sustainable and prosperous maritime future." All registered professionals for APM 2024 will be granted free access to both the exhibition and conference floors.