Conference Producers Report Record Number of Registered Delegates, Sponsors and Exhibitors
NORFOLK, Va. – Oct. 26, 2015 – (Marine NewsWire) The SHIPPINGInsight 2015 Fleet Optimization Conference & Exhibition set new records for registrations, sponsors and exhibitors, according to the producers of the annual shipping industry operations and technology forum.
The fourth annual SHIPPINGInsight event took place Oct. 13-14 in Stamford, Conn. The event encompassed two busy days of presentations, discussions, debates, networking and exhibits. Participants represented a cross section of all sectors of the maritime industry, including shipowners, ship managers, classification societies, flag states, technology suppliers, software and IT companies, consultants, academics, professional service providers and others.
Shipping companies represented at SHIPPINGInsight 2015 included 25 senior executives from some of the world’s largest commercial shipping fleets, operating a cumulative total of more than 3, 100 ships in global trade.
The conference chairman was Capt. Michael Wilson, president and COO (America) of Laurin Maritime. Keynote speakers were Gary Vogel, CEO of Eagle Bulk Shipping; Paal Johansen, vice president and director of operations maritime, for DNV GL; Angus Campbell, managing director of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement; Scott Bergeron, CEO of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry; and Shane Rossbacher, senior vice president of business development, Inmarsat. Capt. David Moskoff, a professor at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy gave a special presentation on cyber security in shipping.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the second annual SHIPPINGInsight Award to Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA and Callenberg Technology Group.
By the Numbers
- 169 registered delegates from 7 countries
- 25 shipping company executives participating
- 5 keynote speakers and 1 guest speaker
- 58 speakers and moderators
- 49 exhibitor booths
- 36 industry sponsors
- 5 supporting organizations
- 7 media sponsors
- 3 themed sessions
- Fuel & Propulsion
- Efficient Ships
- Ship Telematics
- 6 interactive panel sessions
- 4 open-discussion roundtables
- 9 networking events
“One of our goals this year was to stimulate more open discussion among speakers and delegates, ” said conference co-director Jim Rhodes. “To that end, we shortened the time for business case presentations, provided more time for panel session Q&A and added more roundtables addressing timely topics such as ECA compliance, the role of classification societies and flag states, HR issues and big data with a special focus on cyber security.”
“Initial feedback from participants has been very positive in terms of the quality and content of the conference, as well as the numerous networking events, ” said SHIPPINGInsight co-director Frank Soccoli. “We will use feedback from survey questionnaires to fine-tune the methodology and content in planning for next year’s event.”
The SHIPPINGInsight organizers will announce dates for the 2016 conference in coming weeks.
Reaction from Participants
“This was my second SHIPPINGInsight conference, and I was very pleased to see how it has grown since my last visit. The conference sessions were valuable, and I was especially interested to learn more about cyber security and the U.S. perspective on LNG as a marine fuel. I enjoyed the open-dialogue roundtable sessions addressing pressing topics for the shipping industry, and networking with technology suppliers to help me better understand available solutions.” Angus Campbell, Managing Director, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (U.K.).
“I have participated as a panel moderator at SHIPPINGInsight for the last three years. It is clearly one of the top maritime technology forums addressing ship and fleet optimization in North America. As Technical Director for a large fleet of ships, I always learn something useful at the SHIPPINGInsight conferences, and the networking receptions provide a great opportunity to meet with technology companies and learn about their products and services.” Ravi Singh, Technical Director, Northern Shipping Funds.
“We were very impressed with the format of SHIPPINGInsight 2015. Good discussions, not too ‘salesy, ’ good networking, and from our perspective it gave us a strong sense of what keeps our customers awake at night. All in all, a productive few days. We will definitely mark our calendars for SHIPPINGInsight 2016.” Philip Bannerman, Vice President, Innovation, Strategy and Communication, Callenberg Technology Group.
“An excellent conference. Our networking with shipowners at SHIPPINGInsight led directly to three new sales leads, and we have established follow-up meetings. We are looking forward to expanding our participation at the SHIPPINGInsight 2016 conference.” Capt. Tim Park, Sales Manager, Marine Technologies, Transas Americas.
About SHIPPINGInsight
Now in its fourth year, SHIPPINGInsight is the premier North American technology conference and trade show for the international commercial maritime industry. It brings together shipowners, ship managers and technology companies to discuss solutions to improve ship and fleet efficiency. The event is co-owned and produced by Soccoli Associates LLC, a maritime consultancy, and Rhodes Communications, Inc., an international communications firm specializing in the maritime industry.
