SHIPPINGInsight 2016 Sets New Records

Attendance up 40 Percent over 2015 Conference, According to Organizers

NORFOLK, Va. – Nov. 2, 2016 – The SHIPPINGInsight 2016 Fleet Optimization Conference & Exhibition concluded on a high note Oct. 19, buoyed by record-breaking attendance and participation. The organizers reported an increase of nearly 40 percent in attendance, with 236 registered delegates from more than 10 countries.

The fifth annual maritime technology conference and trade show took place Oct. 18-19 in Stamford, Conn. The event encompassed two full days of presentations, discussions, debates, exhibits and networking. Attendees included senior executives from shipowners and managers, classification societies, flag states, technology suppliers, software and IT companies, satellite communication service providers, shipyards, naval architects, consultants and professional services. Over 30 shipping company executives served as panel and roundtable moderators, including some of the world’s largest international ship management companies.

By the Numbers

• 236 registered delegates from more than 10 countries (up 40 percent)
• 30+ shipping company executives participating
• 8 keynote and lead-off speakers
• 75 total speakers and moderators
• 50 exhibitor booths
• 50 industry sponsors (up 43 percent)
• 5 supporting organizations
• 8 media sponsors
• 12+ hours of scheduled networking events

A highlight of the festivities was the presentation of the annual SHIPPINGInsight Award to Eagle Bulk Shipping and its technology partners, Accuritas Global Solutions and Veson Nautical, honoring their achievements in advancing the state of the art in ship efficiency and fleet optimization. A Certificate of Merit was also awarded to Neda Maritime Agency and AkzoNobel.

Keynote and lead-off speakers were:

• Jack Noonan, CEO, Chembulk Tankers
• Capt. Norbert Aschmann, CEO, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement
• James Watson, President, ABS Americas Division
• Esa Jokioinen, Head of Blue Ocean Team, Rolls-Royce
• Frank Coles, CEO, Transas Marine
• Angus Campbell, Managing Director, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement
• Ben Christian, Vice President, Marine Services, TOTE Services
• William Gallagher, President, International Registries, Inc.

“This was the biggest and best conference in the five years we have been producing SHIPPINGInsight events,” said co-director Jim Rhodes. “The conference agenda focused on subjects of timely interest to the global maritime industry such as regulatory compliance, connected ships, cybersecurity, big data, shipping intelligence, fuel and propulsion.”

“SHIPPINGInsight has become widely recognized as the most important shipping technology conference and trade show in North America,” said co-director Frank Soccoli. “It continues to go from strength to strength each year and our Roundtable of Shipowners, resulted in excellent discussions on trending topics of interest in the maritime industry. We’re already starting to plan for next year’s event.”

Jess Hurwitz, executive vice president of global sales and marketing and CTO of Accuritas Global Solutions, commented, “We have seen the SHIPPINGInsight Conference consistently grow and expand since its inception. It provides a unique industry program of leading trends and technologies very relevant to today’s shipping leaders.”

About SHIPPINGInsight

Held annually since 2012, the SHIPPINGInsight Fleet Optimization Conference & Exhibition has become the premier shipping technology forum in North America. SHIPPINGInsight is co-produced by Soccoli Associates LLC, a maritime consultancy, and Rhodes Communications, Inc., an international PR and marketing services company specializing in the marine industry for over 30 years. For more information, see www.shippinginsight.com.