The Shipowners' Club - Experts & Thought Leaders

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.

Maritime UK, the umbrella body for the maritime industries, is announcing the appointment of colleagues from across the sector to its Diversity in Maritime Taskforce following the success of Maritime UK Week 2022 (10-16 October). The task force, which oversees the Diversity in Maritime programme, was launched in May 2020, in response to the government’s flagship Maritime 2050 strategy. The programme is focused on ensuring that the future maritime workforce across the shipping, ports, services, engineering, and leisure marine industries is as diverse as possible. Women, Mental Health, Pride and Ethnicity Since May 2020, Diversity in Maritime has created a charter programme, sought commitment through a series of industry pledges signed by senior leaders, and provided a wealth of resources, toolkits, networks, and initiatives. At the heart of the programme are the ‘networks’: Women, Mental Health, Pride, and Ethnicity. The networks bring together individuals from protected characteristics, and allies, in safe-space environments to share good practices and discuss barriers faced. The networks are supported by four working groups who work to create solutions to overcome barriers. Best practice, guidance, and template policies Menopause Hub seeks to support people going through all stages of menopause with workshops and toolkits Companies are supported to drive change through toolkits, with best practices, guidance, and template policies. Other initiatives to support companies include the Interview Pool, which facilitates diverse interview panels by loaning colleagues between organisations. The Speaker Bank provides a database of diverse speakers for panels and conferences with specific industry expertise. One of the programme’s latest initiatives is the Menopause Hub, which seeks to support people going through all stages of menopause with workshops and toolkits, and guidance for managing employees going through menopause. New appointments  Those recently joining the task force represent the breadth of the maritime sector and are drawn from different stages of their career. They include: Ian Hampton, Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Director, Stena Line - Chair, Diversity in Maritime Taskforce Samaa Addo, Marketing Manager, The Baltic Exchange - Ethnicity in Maritime Book Club Project Group Lead Shenaz Bussawon, PA & Office Manager, British Ports Association - Vice Chair, Ethnicity in Maritime Network Natasha Davies, Head of Business Performance and Strategic Services, RNLI - Working Parents Project Group Lead Carole Davis, Senior Consultant/ Emeritus Professor, Solent University Warsash Maritime School and Senior Consultant Carole L Davis Associates - Menopause in Maritime Project Group Lead Hannah Earle-Payne, Director, Seagrass Marine - Creating a Culture of Care Project Group Lead Joseph Hoyle, Technical Support Analyst (Service Desk), ABP - Pride in Maritime Project Group Co-Lead Helen Kelly, Director, Communications, Campaigns & Digital, Nautilus International – Speaker Bank Project Lead Deborah Layde, CEO, The Seafarers' Charity - Chair, Women in Maritime Network Julie Lithgow, Clerk, Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames - Ethnicity in Maritime Book Club Project Group Lead Danny McGowan, International Organiser, Nautilus International - Chair, Pride in Maritime Network Antony Neeraj Pius, Assistant Specialist, Lloyd's Register - Communications and Social Media Project Group Lead Daisy Rayner, Head of Legal, Shipowners - Pride in Maritime Project Group Co-Lead Saurabh Sachdeva, Director, Publications & Advocacy, OCIMF - Chair, Ethnicity in Maritime Network Chris Shirling-Rooke, CEO, Mersey Maritime - Chair, Mental Health in Maritime Network. Diversity in Maritime programme The Diversity in Maritime programme is sponsored by the Port of Aberdeen and Stena Line Having completed a two-year term, Maritime UK would like to take the opportunity to thank the founding taskforce members, Sue Terpilowski, Debbie Cavaldoro, Stuart Pollard, Caitlin Vaughan, Cecilia Harvey, Julie Lithgow, and Danny McGowan for their incredible support in building the Diversity in Maritime programme. The Diversity in Maritime programme is sponsored by the Port of Aberdeen and Stena Line. Equal opportunities and diversity  Ian Hampton, COO, and Executive Director, Stena Line said, “I am extremely proud to have been appointed Chair of the Diversity in Maritime Taskforce and to be able to have the opportunity to continue the important work that it has achieved since its inception." "For a sector to flourish it needs diverse and vibrant people. The maritime sector must increase diversity to the benefit of all involved. So that everyone employed in the sector can have the same equal opportunities to build their careers and make a difference, irrespective of their gender, sexuality, ethnicity or religion.” Progress within the inclusion space  The past chairs have helped to develop the initiative, taking steps to make our sector more inclusive" Sarah Kenny, CEO, of Maritime UK said, “In just two years, the Diversity in Maritime Programme has delivered real value for the Maritime Sector. The past chairs have helped to develop the Diversity in Maritime Programme, taking solid steps to make our sector more inclusive." "With the next round of chairs at the helm, I look forward to seeing more progress within the diversity and inclusion space.” Innovation, profitability, and resilience Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said, “New appointments to the Maritime Taskforce are a great step in the right direction to make the maritime sector more open and accessible to all. Now we need to be reaching out to encourage those who haven't considered a career in the industry to do so.” "Diversity of thought from broader recruitment is good news for innovation, profitability, and the resilience of the Maritime Industry."

Maritime UK, the umbrella body for the maritime sector, is launching the first national Pride in Maritime Day. Pride in Maritime Day is an initiative driven by the Pride in Maritime Network, a network established within Maritime UK’s Diversity in Maritime programme. Its remit has been to identify barriers faced by the LGBT+ maritime community, to educate and enable colleagues to empower and support them, and to share good practice policies and toolkits that support the LGBT+ colleagues across the sector. Live-streamed industry roundtable During London International Shipping Week 2021, the network hosted the first live-streamed industry roundtable which brought together pioneers from across the sector to discuss how maritime could be more welcoming for LGBT+ people. It was at that roundtable that the concept of a Pride in Maritime Day was agreed. Pride in Maritime Day has been established to share and celebrate progress for the LGBT+ community Pride in Maritime Day has been established to share and celebrate progress for the LGBT+ community in the maritime sector and is being held at the end of LGBT+ History Month. A live-streamed panel event, hosted by Associated British Ports, is being held from 11:00 to 13:00 GMT. The event will be moderated by the Pride in Maritime Chair, Danny McGowan, who is the International Organiser at Nautilus International, and will include a panel of the following Pride in Maritime Network members: Danny McGowan, Chair, Pride in Maritime/International Organiser, Nautilus International (Moderator). Kian Goodsell, The Seafarers’ Charity. Daisy Rainer, Head of Legal, Shipowners Club. Commodore Melanie Robinson, Royal Navy. Alex Roscoe, Group Risk Practitioner, ABP. Neal Somerville, Ireland Face to Face Manager, RNLI. Gwilym Stone, Assistant Director: Ship Standards, MCA. Breaking down barriers The panel will discuss progress within their organisations, lived experiences, and how we can break down barriers faced by our LGBT+ employees together. Maritime UK is urging companies and individuals to celebrate Pride in Maritime Day by using the hashtag #PrideinMaritimeDay across social media channels. Maritime UK is urging companies and individuals to celebrate Pride in Maritime Day Robert Courts, Minister for Maritime, said: “Diversity is vital to the success of any sector, and I am immensely proud of the progress being made in support of the LGBT+ community in maritime. Pride in Maritime Day will help break down barriers, which is critical to achieving our Maritime 2050 vision of building a workforce that is dynamic, inclusive and open to all.” Building a dynamic workforce Chrissie Clarke, Head of Diversity and Operations, Maritime UK, said: “Maritime UK is committed to ensuring the sector is welcoming to the LGBT+ community. We are delighted to be launching Pride in Maritime Day today at the end of LGBT+ History Month.” “Pride in Maritime Day will be an annual celebration to share progress and shine a strong spotlight on what barriers need to be removed for our current and future LGBT+ employees. We are grateful to ABP for hosting the event and to Pride in Maritime Network Chair and Panellists being part of today’s launch. I am proud to be an ally to the LGBT+ community and I will always stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”