Day One of SHIPPINGInsight Calls for Industry Collaboration – “Success has to be a Team Sport”

October 11, 2021: Day One of SHIPPINGInsight 2021- Bridging the Decade opened today with a keynote address from ABS’ Chris Wiernicki who called for the global industry to come together to achieve common goals for decarbonization, stating “Success has to be a team sport“.  Bud Darr of MSC agreed, saying industry needs to deliver “creative and multiple options, be collaborative to drive this transition, and be positive.”  Jeff Lantz stated industry’s message should be “We’re working on it”.

These observations, and more, were delivered during the first day of SHIPPINGInsight 2021: Bridging the Decade Fleet Optimization & Innovation Conference and Exhibition being held virtually from October 11-13th. This top-tier event focuses on challenges facing the maritime world entering the “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” with disruptors like climate deadlines, automation and digitalization joining forces and creating a whirlpool of change and profound new opportunities for our industry.

The second keynote address of the day was delivered by Gary Vogel, CEO of Eagle Bulk Shipping who argued that shipowners have the opportunity today to take advantage of technologies to reduce their carbon emissions using existing fuels while evolutionary approaches are being developed and scaled rather than ordering new tonnage.

In the coming days, keynote addresses from industry figure heads such as Ley Hoon Quah, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA); former USCG Commandant Admiral Thad Allen of HudsonAnalytix; and Wah Kwong Shipping Holdings Limited’s Chairman, Sabrina Chao, also President of BIMCO Register today at SHIPPINGINSIGHT: 2021 Registration Page.

“Chris Wiernicki certainly got our event off to a racing start with his opening address and set the tone for the conference” stated SHIPPINGInsight Chief Evolution Officer for SHIPPINGInsight.  “Our industry must collaborate on development and harmonize our message on how we plan to move forward.  There is no room for shipping’s traditional opaque fragmentism.

SHIPPINGInsight 2021 is in its 10^th year of providing a platform for fleet management and solution providers to exchange views and information on strategies for the maritime industry to accelerate change in order to meet the demands of society, regulations, operational risks, crew welfare and protection of the environment. This year’s three-day program will address industry challenges and changes through roundtable discussions between shipowners, regulators and solution providers around decarbonization, digitalization, defense, decisions, and disruption. Discussions around issues critical to industry today will be held during the “Decade of…” sessions, with decarbonization and digitalization in the forefront.  “Deep Dive” technical sessions will range from fleet management to fuel alternatives and safety at sea.

Participants in the program include USCG’s Jeffrey Lantz, D’Amico’s Joe Gross, Fleet Management’s Mohan Muppidi, Giorgos Kyriazis  of P Ship Systems, Boriana Farrar of Patriot Contract Services, Jim Lawrence of MTI Network, International Seaway’s Jeff Pribor, Bahamas Maritime Authority’s Captains Dwain Hutchinson and Steve Bomgardner, Cynthia Hudson of HudsonAnalytix, Keegan Plakson of American Bureau of Shipping, Michael Parker of Citibank and the Poseidon Principles, Michael Webber of Webber Research, Morten Arntzen of Team Tankers, Semiramis Paliou of Diana Shipping, Chembulk CEO Bart Kelleher, Sherice Arman of Maple Group, Ardmore’s Tony Gurnee, Rob Hughes of Genco Shipping, Sadan Kaptanoglu of Kaptanoglu Shipping, Peter Southgate of the Cayman Ship Registry, Max Bobys of HudsonAnalytix, Mark O’Neil of Columbia Shipmanagement, Guy Platten  of the International Chamber of Shipping, and Knut Ørbeck-Nielssen of DNV.

The capstone of the event is SHIPPINGInsight’s SHARK TANK where representatives of new technologies (“Chum”) pitch their products and services to a panel of judges (“Sharks”).  The winner will receive SHIPPINGInsight’s Innovation Award, and every year most participants find funding or sponsors for their innovations. The award is presented annually to honor a solution provider for the successful development and implementation of an innovative initiative that advances the state of the art in ship and fleet optimization goals.  The 2020 Innovation Award was presented to Sterling PBES (SPBES) for their hybrid battery power for vessel operations which provides a cost-effective system to reduce fuel emissions and “future-proof” sources of energy for vessels. SHIPPINGInsight is proud to attract such innovative products and services to its SHARK TANK every year from all around the world and are excited to see the “Chum” of 2021.

About SHIPPINGInsight

Originally established in 2012, SHIPPINGInsight has grown steadily each year. Focusing on fleet optimization and innovation, the event provides a forum for fleet managers and solution providers to exchange ideas and discuss challenges in facing the transformation of the industry.  More than 750 delegates from 35 countries attended the 2020 event, including 101 shipping company executives.  For more information, please visit www.shippinginsight.com.

Featured Photo: Chris Wiernicki, Chairman, CEO and President, American Bureau of Shipping